Centers & Programs

Africa Program

Africa’s enduring challenges and vast opportunities continues to focus the minds of governments, civil society, and private corporations alike. Drawing on the continent’s complicated history, the Council on Foreign Relations’ Africa program examines this growing strategic and economic importance. It seeks to provide policymakers, the business community, and the general public with a deeper and more nuanced understanding of African political and socio-economic developments.

About the Program
1 in 4 people on the planet will be African by 2050

Featured

Sub-Saharan Africa

Election 2024 and the Future of U.S.-Africa Policy
Senior Fellows Michelle Gavin and Ebenezer Obadare discuss the role of Africa in American politics and how U.S.-Africa policy might change in a potential Trump or Harris administration.

Blog Post by Michelle Gavin and Ebenezer Obadare September 23, 2024 Africa in Transition

Sub-Saharan Africa

Engaging Africa on Its Own Terms Link

with Jendayi E. Frazer via The Catalyst May 6, 2024

South Africa

Mutual Suspicion Grates U.S.-South Africa Relations
Tensions in the U.S.-South Africa relationship only heighten as both countries head towards national elections. 

Blog Post by Michelle Gavin May 3, 2024 Africa in Transition

Africa Program

LGBTQ+ Rights in Africa

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Panelists discuss the status of LGBTQ+ rights in Africa, along with the opportunities and challenges of U.S. foreign policy and U.S. aid in advancing equality and human rights in the region. 

Virtual Event with Julie Dorf, Michelle Gavin, Adrian Jjuuko and Catherine L. Kelly August 8, 2023

Sub-Saharan Africa

Turning Crisis Into Opportunity: Building Supply Chain Resilience in Africa Link

with Jendayi E. Frazer and Molly Carlough via Think Global Health November 20, 2023

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s Flawed Election Results Meet With Regional Skepticism
Voter suppression and intimidation directed by the government marred Zimbabwe’s elections, which reaffirmed incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa’s power and will likely prolong the country’s dysfunction and severe economic woes.

In Brief by Michelle Gavin August 28, 2023 Africa Program

West Africa

An Opportunity to Reimagine ECOWAS

The split between ECOWAS and the mutinous AES states may be just what the regional body needed. 

Blog Post by Ebenezer Obadare July 15, 2024 Africa in Transition

Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo Holds Tense Elections: What to Know
Congo’s elections on December 20 are unlikely to deliver meaningful change to address massive insecurity in the east, corruption scandals, and persistent poverty.

In Brief by Michelle Gavin December 12, 2023 Africa Program

Nigeria

A Conversation With Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar of Nigeria

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Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar of Nigeria discusses emerging issues in the sub-region and across the continent, including Nigeria's foreign policy initiatives and challenges to economic and regional security amid ongoing geopolitical turmoil.

Virtual Event with Yusuf M. Tuggar and Ebenezer Obadare September 18, 2024

Sub-Saharan Africa

The Truth About Africa's "Debt Crisis"
Africa has a governance crisis, not a debt crisis.

Blog Post by Ebenezer Obadare September 5, 2024 Africa in Transition

Ethiopia

Ethiopia in Troubled Waters

Ethiopia has struggled to recover from the fallout of the Tigray conflict, with few signs of improvement for 2024. 

Blog Post by Michelle Gavin December 28, 2023 Africa in Transition

Kenya

America's Dilemma in Kenya Link

with Michelle Gavin via Foreign Affairs July 23, 2024

Michelle Gavin

Sudan

Biden Calls for Sudan Peace Talks as Famine Threatens Millions Link

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Featuring Michelle Gavin via The Daily Report With John Dickerson September 18, 2024

Program Experts

Jendayi E. Frazer

Adjunct Senior Fellow for Africa Studies

Michelle Gavin

Ralph Bunche Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies

Ebenezer Obadare

Douglas Dillon Senior Fellow for Africa Studies

Stuart Reid

Senior Fellow for History and Foreign Policy

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