Program
Africa
Africa’s External Relations

We examine the implications for Africa of the changing external strategies of major global actors and outline concrete policy recommendations towards mutually beneficial outcomes that advance international cooperation.

People marching with raised fists
commentary
Kenya Is at an Inflection Point. It Needs a New Path to Progress.

After the Gen Z demonstrations upended the country’s political landscape, Ruto must do more if he wants to restore trust and root out corruption.

· August 22, 2024
Participants attend a roundtable discussion titled: "Financing the New Climate Economy" on day five of the UNFCCC COP28 Climate Conference at Expo City Dubai on December 04, 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
article
Who Speaks for Africa at COP? Power and Politics at the UN Climate Negotiations

African countries are gaining greater representation at COP, but it is unclear whether this increased visibility will lead to better climate outcomes for the continent.

  • Victoria Markiewicz
  • Praise Gandah
  • Nicholas Micinski
· July 11, 2024
Why Europe Needs Africa
research
Why Europe Needs Africa

Cooperation between Africa and Europe should build on both continents’ strengths to identify converging interests, compatible visions, and potential synergies.

· July 9, 2024
article
How Is China’s Economic Transition Affecting Its Relations With Africa?

China’s slowing growth will increasingly impact its economic relations with Africa. Policy directions within African countries and third parties such as the United States will greatly shape how these changes in the China-Africa relationship continue to unfold.

· May 30, 2024
article
Senegal: From Constitutional Crisis to Democratic Restoration

Senegal’s democracy has emerged stronger—and with a energetic young president-elect—from the period of uncertainty created by outgoing President Macky Sall’s political maneuvers.

· April 1, 2024
commentary
An African Agenda for World Bank Group Reform

Recommendations from a high-level roundtable on an African agenda for World Bank reform hosted by the Carnegie Africa Program and the African Climate Foundation.

paper
Examining U.S. Relations With Authoritarian Countries

Relations between the United States and many undemocratic countries around the world vary widely from cozy to conflictive. Understanding the drivers and evolving dynamics of these relationships is vital to grasping the realities of U.S. foreign policy in an age of sharp geostrategic competition.

· December 13, 2023
commentary
The Niger Coup’s Outsized Global Impact

How the crisis has rippled through the country, the region, and the world.

· August 31, 2023
article
What a U.S.-DRC-Zambia Electric Vehicle Batteries Deal Reveals About the New U.S. Approach Toward Africa

The U.S.-DRC-Zambia memorandum of understanding demonstrates how the United States aims to counter China and bolster its clean energy supply chains by deepening ties with African nations. Yet how distinct is the U.S. approach from the Chinese approach to such deals?

· August 21, 2023
commentary
What Are the Top Global Destinations for Higher Education for African Students?

There appears to be a shift in African students’ higher education choices toward a variety of emerging economies and middle powers such as Türkiye, the UAE, and Malaysia, among others, beyond the former colonial powers such as Belgium, Portugal, or the U.K.

· July 13, 2023
In The Media
in the media
Big Returns: How Europe Can Respond to the Climate Crisis and Build Goodwill in the Global South

At a time when Europe faces existential risks in the form of climate change and geopolitical competition, an over-cautious application of technical rules risks missing the bigger picture.

· June 6, 2023
paper
Will the Invasion of Ukraine Change Russia-Africa Relations?

Russia’s influence in Africa is likely to be diminished by any outcome of the war in Ukraine. And Western governments will need to take Africa into their confidence regarding geopolitical matters rather than berate the sovereign stances of countries that feel unseen and neglected by them.

  • Ronak Gopaldas
· April 26, 2023