W

hat a year 2024 turned out to be for Africa. The lack of peace, the threats to democracy, and other forms of insecurity diminished the hope of a peaceful year of progress for two-thirds of the population. At the same time, African countries saw significant elections with important, peaceful transfers of power. All the while, international conflicts and the global economy continue to negatively impact hopes for greater economic growth for many, threatening progress for future generations.  

Africa experienced pronounced security concerns across the continent. Events in countries such as Gabon, Chad, Guinea, Mali, and Burkina Faso engaged the attention of African leaders and concerned world leaders. Some feared that recent upheavals posed an ongoing danger to democracy. On the other hand, ongoing conflicts like in South Sudan, Somalia, and Guinea Bissau were almost taken as normal. The conflict in Sudan deteriorated, and groups like Boko Haram in Nigeria and Al-Shabaab in Somalia and Kenya stubbornly persist. 

Politically, many positive signs from significant elections resulted in a showing of reinforced democracy. For the first time in 30 years, the African National Congress lost the majority in South Africa’s elections. In Botswana, the Botswana Democratic Party, which had ruled the country since independence, lost and peacefully transferred power. Namibia’s elections also broke new ground with the welcoming of a female president for the first time. And most recently, Ghana’s former president, John Mahama, won the election to return for a second term. Even Chad had an election. It was won by the military leader (well, it was democratization, in a way).  

On the economic side, several African countries posted growth at year-end but not at a level that will get them out of poverty or reach the status of an emerging economy within a generation. Similarly, despite the efforts and contributions of the World Bank, African Development Bank, African Export-Import Bank, and Africa Finance Corporation, Africa's infrastructure development is painfully slow, grossly underfunded, and generally inadequate. To spur necessary trade to advance Africa’s economies in support of future generations, the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) is a pact African leaders should pursue with maddening efforts and speed. The progress made (or not made) in 2024 has begun to dampen the enthusiasm of some who felt hopeful with the AfCFTA’s launching. 

Africa has no immunity against the adverse effects of international events. For example, the ongoing wars, conflict, and unrest in the Middle East and in Ukraine continue to have deleterious effects on trade, commodities, and vital imports, to name a few. 

At best, after 2024, Agenda 2063 remained stagnant and with guns unsilenced. On balance, Africa has more issues on the debit side than the credit side at the end of the year. But learning and applying the right lessons to guide future engagements would keep 2024 from being a lost year.