Africa Program
The Africa Program works to address the most critical issues facing Africa and US-Africa relations, build mutually beneficial US-Africa relations, and enhance knowledge and understanding about Africa in the United States. The Program achieves its mission through in-depth research and analyses, public discussion, working groups, and briefings that bring together policymakers, practitioners, and subject matter experts to analyze and offer practical options for tackling key challenges in Africa and in US-Africa relations.
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Trendlines and Transformations in African Democratic Governance: Lessons for 21st-Century US-Africa Relations
On Tuesday, November 13, The Wilson Center and the Social Science Research Council co-hosted an event on the state of democratic governance in Africa. The event featured US and African researchers and thought leaders sharing insights on democratic governance trends across Africa and the emerging opportunities and challenges these trends pose to US-Africa relations. In particular, the conversation examined how citizen participation and civic engagement demands are shaping governance in different ways across the continent.
Securing Africa’s Critical Mineral Wealth: A Role for Sovereign Wealth Funds
On September 17, the Wilson Center Africa Program hosted an event on harnessing Africa’s critical mineral wealth to build infrastructure and new economies on the continent. The event specifically explored how African sovereign wealth funds can serve as a tool to reduce risk, increase investment, and enhance regional cooperation to ensure Africa’s critical mineral wealth is leveraged to develop sustainable value chains and promote socioeconomic growth.
African Leadership Perspectives Series: A Conversation with H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
On August 6th 2024, the Wilson Center Africa Program welcomed former president of Nigeria H.E Olusegun Obasanjo to the Wilson Center to share his perspective on Africa’s leadership role in the evolving global arena.
AGOA Civil Society and Organized Labor Forum
On July 24, the Wilson Center hosted the 2024 African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Civil Society and Organized Labor Forum. This multi-session event featured distinguished speakers focused on how the United States and African civil society organization, labor unions, and small business partners can collaborate to inform AGOA renewal and enhance the efficacy of the program.
Road to AGOA Reauthorization: The Future of US-Africa Trade and Investment
On June 18th, 2024, the Wilson Center Africa Program welcomed Senator Chris Coons and a panel of distinguished US and Africa leaders to the Wilson Center to discuss the reauthorization of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) as well as US-Africa trade and investment.
The Changing Nature of Security Threats in the Central Sahel Region: The Rise of Self-Defense Groups and Private Security Companies
The Wilson Center hosted a conversation on “The Changing Nature of Security Threats in the Central Sahel Region: The Rise of Self-Defense Groups and Private Security Companies” with Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding scholar Ansoumane Samassy Souare on June 10, from 1–2 pm ET (US).
The Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding Scholars Alumni Conference: June 2024
Brown Capital Management Africa Forum Relaunch: Sovereign Wealth Funds and Infrastructure Development in Africa
On May 28, 2024, the Wilson Center hosted the relaunch of the Brown Capital Management Africa Forum with an event on Sovereign Wealth Funds and Infrastructure Development in Africa.
Enhancing the Voice of Sudanese Civilians on Issues Key to Ending the War and Restoring Peace
On May 21, the Wilson Center Africa Program hosted an online event featuring U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Tom Perriello and a panel of leaders and activists focused on recommendations outlined in four policy briefs that emerged from the Sudans Working Group discussion series.
US-Nigeria Partnership in the Changing Global Arena: A Conversation with the Foreign Minister of Nigeria, H. E. Amb. Y. M. Tuggar
On May 15, the Wilson Center's Africa Program hosted Nigeria's Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Amb. Y.M. Tuggar, for a conversation focused on key facets of a strong US-Nigeria partnership and Nigeria's new foreign policy vision.
Policing in Africa: Imperatives to Peacebuilding
The Wilson Center hosted a conversation on “Policing in Africa: Imperatives to Peacebuilding,” with Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding scholar Meressa Kahsu Dessu. Mr. Dessu discussed the need for a stronger and more unified continental police organization and included policy recommendations for AU member states, and regional and international stakeholders to establish stronger mechanisms for continental policing.
Transitional Justice and Empowering Women for Sustainable Peace in Zimbabwe
The Wilson Center hosted a conversation on "Transitional Justice, and Empowering Women for Sustainable Peace in Zimbabwe,” with Nontando Ndhlovu on May 14, from 12–1pm ET (US). Ms. Ndhlovu discussed the establishment of a transitional justice framework in Zimbabwe and proposed policy recommendations to amplify women’s voices in advancing sustainable peace in Zimbabwe.
COLLECTION
AGOA: Road to Reauthorization
Since its launch, the Wilson Center has followed AGOA’s progress through published numerous articles and held events that examine AGOA’s role in US-Africa relations and Africa’s economy. Many of these sources are provided on this webpage.
Learn MoreINSIGHTS & ANALYSIS
The Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding
The Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding is a network of 22 African policy, research, and academic organizations that works to attain the most appropriate, cohesive, and inclusive policy frameworks and approaches for achieving sustainable peace in Africa.
The Brown Capital Management Africa Forum
Launched in September 2015, the Brown Capital Management Africa Forum provides a premier platform for substantive and solution-oriented dialogue on key trade, investment, and development issues in Africa, and in US-Africa relations.
The Sudans Working Group
The Sudans Working Group (SWG) engages US, African, and international policymakers and stakeholders in inclusive and forward-leaning policy dialogue aimed at advancing the prospects for peace, security, and development between and within Sudan and South Sudan.
African Leadership Perspectives Series
This series invites African public figures and former African heads of state to the Wilson Center to share their perspectives on Africa’s leadership role in the evolving global arena.
Africa Up Close
Africa Up Close is the blog of the Africa Program at the Wilson Center. Reaching an international audience, the blog draws on contributions from experts, policymakers, and practitioners to present current, relevant, and digestible analyses of developments on the continent.
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