Into Africa

South Africa's local government elections may be municipal contests, but the stakes are national. As South Africa prepares for its first nationwide electoral test since the ANC lost its parliamentary majority and entered coalition government at the national level, voters are weighing frustration over poor public services, coalition instability, and confidence in democratic institutions. In this episode of Into Africa, Oge Onubogu is joined by Daryl Swanepoel and Gemima Barlow to explore what is at stake in the elections, how electoral integrity and public trust are evolving, and what the results may reveal about the future of South African democracy. They also examine whether greater political competition can produce better governance, how disinformation is reshaping the electoral landscape, and why these local elections matter far beyond South Africa's borders.

With the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) renewed through 2028, the United States has an opportunity to rethink its economic relationship with Africa. While U.S.-Africa trade has not kept pace with the growth of China-Africa trade, African countries are increasingly shaping their own economic future through initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). What would it take for the United States to remain a competitive economic partner, and what should a modern U.S.-Africa trade relationship look like? In this episode of Into Africa, Oge Onubogu is joined by Enoh Ebong, President of CSIS's Global Development Department, and Navin Girishankar, President of CSIS's Economic Security and Technology Department, to discuss AGOA's legacy, the changing global trade landscape, and what a future U.S.-Africa economic framework must deliver. The Into Africa podcast is made possible by the generous support of the Andrew Carnegie Foundation.

As leaders gather in New York for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Africa sits at the center of many of the world's most consequential debates, from peace and security to climate, development, and global governance. In this episode of Into Africa, Oge speaks with Bitania Tadesse of the International Peace Institute about what to watch as UNGA unfolds, the prospects for meaningful UN reform, and Africa's evolving role in shaping the international agenda. Together, they explore a central question: as Africa's voice grows louder on the world's stage, is it also gaining the leverage needed to shape outcomes?

As Nigeria prepares for its 2027 elections, the country faces a critical test. Trust in electoral institutions is weakening, young voters are increasingly disillusioned, and demands for accountability are growing louder. These challenges extend beyond Nigeria, as countries across Africa grapple with questions of democratic credibility, governance, and public trust amid declining funding for democracy and governance programs. Despite these challenges, citizens and civil society across the continent continue to push for more accountable and responsive governance. On this episode of Into Africa, Oge Onubogu is joined by Samson Itodo, Executive Director of YIAGA Africa, to discuss Nigeria’s electoral landscape and the governance deficit at the heart of many of its challenges. Can Nigerians trust the 2027 elections, and what will it take to rebuild public confidence in the institutions that underpin democratic governance?

Africa’s economic future will be shaped in part by the movement of people, skills, and labor across the continent. Yet migration remains one of the most debated and politically sensitive issues in Africa and around the world, raising questions about jobs, borders, demographics, and social cohesion. Recent attacks against migrants in South Africa have brought these debates back into sharp focus, even as the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area push for deeper regional integration. In this episode of Into Africa, Oge Onubogu speaks with Amanda Bisong, a policy expert and researcher on migration and labor mobility, and Daniel Yu, founding partner of the Africa Jobs Fund and co-founder and former CEO of Wasoko, about the realities of migration across Africa, the gap between political rhetoric and economic evidence, and what greater labor mobility could mean for the continent’s growth and integration.

The 2026 men's World Cup was a landmark for African football. Nine of ten African sides cleared the group stage, a continental record, yet only Morocco and Egypt reached the round of 16. In this Youth Roundtable, Catherine Nzuki is joined by Janine Anthony, an award-winning broadcaster who founded LadiesMarch, Africa's first all-women women's soccer network, and was the BBC World Service's first African female commentator to run lead commentaries at a major men's football tournament (the Africa Cup of Nations); and Chibuogwu Nnadiegbulam, a journalist with the International Sport Press Association and an editor with LadiesMarch. Together they unpack what drove the group-stage surge, from expanded participation fees to the competitive edge of AFCON, and why so many campaigns unraveled after the 80th minute. They discuss game management and investment African football needs before 2030. They also discuss WAFCON 2026, where early upsets have already reshaped expectations. Janine and Chibuogwu make the case for…

This week on Into Africa, we are sharing an episode from the CSIS podcast, CommonHealth, hosted by CSIS Senior Vice President and Director of Global Health Policy Center Stephen Morrison. Stephen is joined by Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu, Executive Director, WHO Health Emergencies Programme. Dr. Ihekweazu spent several weeks in the hot zone in eastern Congo, mobilizing the international response to the late-discovered Ebola outbreak. Establishing community trust and confidence is the single most urgent challenge across all activities. At the six-week point, the response is scaling. However, "We have to be humble." "We are nowhere yet where we want to be." There is now a high-level UN figure in eastern Congo charged with addressing the complex security challenges. The absence of advanced US technical expertise in the deliberations and response, following the US withdrawal from WHO, is "strange." "Everyone pays a price."

As global power shifts and competition intensifies, Africa is moving from the margins toward the center of the global strategic stage. The question is whether the continent will become a decisive global actor—and whether its partners are prepared for that repositioning. Too often, policymakers consumed by immediate crises overlook the deeper structural forces reshaping Africa’s trajectory. Trade integration, demographic shifts, and greater African agency will shape the continent's role in the changing global order. Drawing on decades of forecasting data and scenario modeling, Jakkie Cilliers, Chairman of the Board of the Institute for Security Studies and Director of the Africa Futures program, joins Oge to unpack the structural forces shaping the continent's future. Together, they explore the slow-moving but transformative trends shaping Africa's future.

Across Africa, the security landscape is shifting. Extremist groups are becoming more mobile, more digitally savvy, and more deeply rooted in local grievances, even in cases where they lose physical territory. From northern Mozambique to the Sahel, the old playbooks for counterterrorism and conflict response are struggling to keep pace with threats that operate more like adaptive ecosystems than traditional insurgencies. In the season two premiere of Into Africa, Dr. Olajumoke Ayandele, Clinical Assistant Professor at New York University, and Peter Bofin, Senior Analyst, Southeast Africa at ACLED, join Oge to unpack this evolving threat landscape. Together, they examine how technology is reshaping how armed groups recruit, finance, and operate.

In this season finale, we revisit our guests’ reflections on what continues to inspire hope for them. Into Africa will be back on June 18th for its second season. Thank you for listening.

The international development and humanitarian landscape in Africa is at an inflection point, driven by a convergence of severe funding cuts, escalated climate and conflict-related crisis, and a necessary, but challenging shift from donor-led relief to locally led, long-term development. The current aid architecture was built for a different era, and this moment of disruption presents an opportunity to reimagine a system that is more effective, sustainable, and built on local partnerships and resilience. Tjada D'Oyen McKenna, CEO of Mercy Corps, and Noam Unger, Vice-President of the Global Development department at CSIS, join Oge to assess the current state of the international development and humanitarian assistance landscape and explore what challenges and opportunities this moment presents for Africa’s future. Note: Into Africa will be taking a short break and will return in the next few months!

In this youth roundtable, Catherine Nzuki, Associate Fellow with the CSIS Africa Program, is joined by two Sudanese scholars to discuss Sudan's Emergency Response Rooms, a grassroots network of young volunteers delivering food, medicine, and essential services across all eighteen states in Sudan. Noaman Mousa is a political science PhD student at UCLA, where his research focuses on civil wars and state-building in Sub-Saharan Africa. Yasir Zaidan is an adjunct lecturer at Seattle University and a PhD student at the University of Washington, where his research examines the expanding influence of Middle Eastern states in the Horn of Africa. Together, they trace the ERRs' origins in the neighborhood resistance committees that drove Sudan's 2019 revolution and explore what a day in the life of an ERR volunteer looks like across different regions and frontlines. Yasir and Noaman also reflect on the deepening of ethnic and tribal cleavages in Sudan since the outbreak of war in April 2023, the role of Gulf states…

As the U.S.-Israel-Iran war intensifies, global attention is focused on the Middle East, but a profound geopolitical restructuring is unfolding along the Red Sea. For years, the Horn of Africa has been a critical arena for understanding global geopolitical competition and shifts, and the Iran war is exposing the risks and gaps that analysts had foreshadowed. As international attention and diplomatic bandwidth for the Horn’s overlapping crises decline, the region is undergoing rapid political repositioning and transformation as the attention of Gulf states turns inward. In this special episode of Into Africa, Samira Gaid, founding director of Balqiis Insights, rejoins the Into Africa podcast to dive deeper into the geopolitics of the Horn and unpack how the Iran war is reverberating across the region.

Is the new wave of U.S-Africa bilateral health deals a game-changer for African health sovereignty or a step backward for solidarity? With more than a dozen African countries signing nearly $20 billion in bilateral deals by early 2026, the Trump administration’s America First Global Health Strategy is reshaping the future of foreign assistance and global health. In this episode, Doris Macharia, president of the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), and Steve Morrison, senior vice president of the CSIS Global Health Policy Center, join Oge to take stock of this pivotal moment. They examine what the America First health strategy gets right, what it has overlooked, and how its rapid rollout is playing out on the continent. As the strategy moves to the implementation phase, it is being met with a mix of skepticism, anxiety, and cautious hope.

Late last year, the U.S redesignated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, a move that reignited fierce global debate and intensified an already complex moment in U.S.–Nigeria relations. U.S. military air strikes on Christmas that targeted an ISIS-affiliated terrorist group in northwest Nigeria, which the U.S. accused of persecuting Christians, further illustrates these complicated and evolving dynamics. What does this CPC redesignation mean for the millions of people living in Nigeria? Is this a necessary wake-up call for accountability or a surface-level solution to a deeply rooted complex crisis of political power and security? In this episode, Oge is joined by Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja and Dr. Usman Bugaje, senior adviser to the Sultan of Sokoto, to unpack the nexus of religion, power, and the desperate search for peace in one of the world’s most religiously vibrant countries.

As the world’s largest humanitarian catastrophe enters its third year, international aid is facing drastic reductions. Local and international humanitarian organizations are adapting their strategies to continue delivering lifesaving care to the over 30 million people who urgently need assistance. The recent launch of the Sudan Humanitarian Fund, which included contributions from regional and international partners, including the US and UAE pledging $700 million in support, signals renewed attention to the humanitarian funding gap in Sudan, but also highlights the complexity of addressing this conflict. In this episode, Oge is joined by Hanin Ahmed, a Sudanese activist, and Daniel O’Malley, head of the International Committee for the Red Cross delegation in Sudan. Hanin and Daniel share their perspectives on the scale of the crisis, the current humanitarian support landscape, and possible avenues to address the fragmentation of the social fabric in Sudan.

The Horn of Africa is experiencing a profound, and dangerous geopolitical restructuring. From the war in Sudan, to renewed tension between Ethiopia and Eritrea, to rising security challenges in South Sudan, and Somalia’s governance struggles alongside ripple effects from Somaliland’s bid for international recognition, the region’s internal instability and volatility is reshaping international alliances and fueling a fierce competition for influence by global actors – from the Gulf to the West – who are vying for power, maritime routes, and strategic dominance. Samira Gaid, founding director of Balqiis Insights, and Amb (ret). Donald Booth, former U.S. special envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, join Oge for a discussion that illuminates a few key dynamics shaping the geopolitics in the Horn of Africa. They unpack the different players in the arena, their motivations, and what these dynamics mean for the region, and the global community.

In the first episode of this season, Oge is joined by Fonteh Akum, Executive Director of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), and Raymond Gilpin, Chief Economist and Head of Strategy at UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa, to reflect on the defining moments of 2025 and explore what 2026 may hold for the continent. While 2025 brought few surprises, it reinforced trends that had long been taking shape on the continent. From the drastic shift in U.S. policy toward Africa to the spread of youth movements, evolving security challenges, and shifting economic dynamics, these trends define a pivotal moment for the continent. Economically, Africa continued its recovery from the long-term impacts of COVID-19, alongside a notable shift in investment from the public sector toward the private sector. Looking ahead to 2026, the conversation underscores the importance of consistency and of connecting the dots between security, development, finance, and governance.

Into Africa is back with all-new conversations hosted by Oge Onubogu, senior fellow and director of the Africa Program at CSIS. Tune in starting January 15th for in-depth interviews with journalists, academics, and other trailblazers as we discuss the cultural, political, and economic trends shaping the continent.

Since this episode aired last year, we’re still dreaming of a just and representative global order. Catherine Nzuki was joined by Ambassador Martin Kimani, PhD, the Executive Director of New York University’s Center on International Cooperation. He was previously the Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations (UN). In this episode, we take a deep dive into Africa’s bid for two permanent seats on the UN Security Council (UNSC) and the long road to get there. We discuss how long Africa has been pushing for these seats (3:40); the procedure to create the two permanent seats (7:00); why the process of selecting which African state will occupy those seats could cause infighting (15:20); and two scenarios for how these seats could be distributed (19:40). We zoom out to discuss the deficit of visionary contemporary leaders (30:18); the types of reforms that the African Union needs (34:42); Africa’s demographic dividend (36:00); Africa in the G20 (42:30); and finally, reordering global geography in line…

Catherine's taking a break this week. In the meantime, we want to reshare one of our essential episodes on demographics. As you all know, by 2050, one in four people will be African. How do demographers reach this conclusion? And how does Africa's population growth intersect with population declines in the Global North? To answer these questions, Catherine was joined by Dr. Jennifer D. Sciubba, President and CEO of the Population Reference Bureau and one of the foremost experts in the field of political demography. Dr. Sciubba breaks down how demographers project future populations and the drivers of population growth. They discuss the limited window to take advantage of Africa’s demographic dividend, the population decline debate in the West, and why overpopulation is a contentious term. They also discuss how politics, cultural norms, women’s empowerment, and the autonomy to not have children factor into population growth. Book recommendation: States and Nature (The Politics of Climate Change) by Joshua W.…

Youth in Kenya have three demands: justice, accountability, and better governance. Over the past two years, “Gen Z” and government critics nationwide have taken to the streets in their thousands to demonstrate their frustrations and anger with the government. In this episode, Chemutai Ruto, a recent graduate of Political Science and Africana Studies, joins Khasai Makhulo, CSIS Africa Program Research Assistant, for a conversation on the ongoing political movements in Kenya. Speaking as two diaspora Kenyan “Gen Z” voices, they explore the pivotal role of women in current movements, how joy fuels resistance, and the ways social media is powering the longevity of the protest.

Arjun Jain, the UN Refugee Agency’s Representative in Nigeria, joins Catherine Nzuki to discuss the drivers of internal displacement in Nigeria and the daily realities facing displaced communities. They explore how religion and geography shape public perception of the crisis, the capacity of federal and state governments to respond, and the impact of shrinking humanitarian budgets. The conversation also looks at how displacement worsens food insecurity and how UNHCR is supporting innovative agricultural solutions to help internally displaced people access farming land and rebuild their lives.

Chad now hosts 1.8 million displaced people, including 1.2 million Sudanese fleeing one of the world’s deadliest conflicts. With 42 percent of its population living below the poverty line, Chad is struggling to provide basic services like food, water, and healthcare for both locals and refugees. In this episode, Abdouraouf Gnon-Konde, Director of UNHCR’s Regional Bureau for West and Central Africa, explains how the crisis is unfolding at the Chad–Sudan border, why Chad continues to welcome refugees despite limited resources, and how this mass displacement is reshaping the lives of young people in the region.

African content is booming on global streaming platforms. But as the industry shifts to appeal to Afropolitan elites and international audiences, who gets left behind? In this episode, Catherine Nzuki is joined by Dr. Wunpini Fatimata Mohammed, assistant professor in the Department of Communication at Cornell University and the author of Afropolitanizing the local: how cultural imperialism is rewriting the narratives of African entertainment industries. They discuss the rise of New Nollywood, the politics of representation, and what’s lost when African stories are tailored for a global audience. Her forthcoming book, Media, Culture, and Decolonization: Re-righting the Subaltern Histories of Ghana, is available now for preorder from Rutgers University Press.

Africa is undergoing a health funding crisis due to overreliance on external aid and a lack of internal investment from African governments. The healthcare sector is 95 percent dependent on external aid for crucial commodities: vaccines, medication, and diagnostic equipment. Africa saw a 41 percent rise in public health emergencies in 2024, highlighting the vulnerability of the health infrastructure. In response to these challenges, the Africa Center for Disease Control (CDC) released a concept paper titled: Africa’s Health Financing in a New Era. In this concept paper, the Africa CDC introduces innovative financing measures to bridge the funding gap. Mvemba is joined by Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa CDC, to discuss the importance of good governance, private sector investment, and strategic planning in strengthening Africa’s domestic resource mobilization.

Catherine Nzuki is joined by Blair Glencorse and Cheri-Leigh Erasmus, co-CEOs of Accountability Lab, to unpack the latest findings from the Global Aid Freeze Tracker. Together, they reflect on the current state of the development sector and explore where the development sector goes from here.

Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State and 2023 Nigerian presidential candidate, joined Into Africa to discuss his belief that the answer to Nigeria’s persistent challenges lies in the character of its leaders. Obi shared that to restore public trust in Nigeria’s government, leaders need to embody competence, capacity, compassion, and integrity. Obi joins Mvemba to explore how leaders can be role models for their constituents. With Africa’s young population and expansive informal sector, he emphasized that cultivating a culture of entrepreneurship is essential for creating a suitable environment for poverty reduction and sustainable development – an effort that must begin with prioritizing education.

Catherine Nzuki is joined by Cameron Hudson, Senior Fellow with the CSIS Africa Program. He unpacks the immediate causes of the war, the growing number of regional actors involved in the war, how the entry of foreign actors is changing the dynamics of the conflict, and the unique role the U.S. can play in mediating a peace process. Cameron Hudson's testimony to the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa can be found here.

From rapid urbanization to persistent housing shortages, Africa’s cities are facing immense challenges—and emerging opportunities, including innovative mortgage models, government-backed projects, and rising investor interest in sustainable development. In this episode, Mvemba is joined by Thierno-Habib Hann, CEO of Shelter Afrique Development Bank, to explore how innovative finance, strategic partnerships, and public-private collaboration are reshaping the continent’s urban future. Together, they examine the scale of Africa’s housing deficit, the barriers to affordability, and the emerging solutions driving sustainable urban development across the continent.

Catherine Nzuki is joined by Dr. Daniel Cash, Associate Professor in Law at Ashton University. He specializes in the study of the international credit rating agencies. They discuss the “Big Three” credit rating agencies, why they have been accused of biases against Africa, and the impact that sovereign credit ratings have on outcomes for young people. Dr. Cash explains why the Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA) is being formed and why it is important to champion this initiative.

But not much else has changed: Catherine Nzuki is (still) your host, and by 2050, one in four people in the world are still expected to be African. Thank you all very much for supporting this podcast. We are back this Thursday, May 15, with a new episode on the case for an African credit rating agency.

From Cold War dynamics to legislative debates, U.S. foreign policy toward Africa has been shaped by complex historical, political, and institutional factors. In his memoir From the Congo to Capitol Hill, Steve Weissman recounts his experiences as a young professor in the Congo and later as a congressional staffer engaged in foreign policy and human rights advocacy. In this episode, Mvemba is joined by Steve Weissman, longtime foreign policy and campaign finance analyst. Together, they examine how Cold War dynamics shaped U.S.-Africa relations, the challenges of holding authoritarian regimes accountable, and the role of Congress in crafting principled foreign policy.

Darrel Lloyd, CSIS Africa Program Intern, joins Catherine Nzuki for an informal discussion on internships. Catherine shares her background (2:10), tips on think tank internship applications (6:10), engaging with the African diaspora (10:59); interviews (14:27), networking (18:57); social media (22:55); building research skills (24:50); and how to stand out during your internship (28:00). Darrel shares his reflections on his spring internship at CSIS (29:00).

Africa stands at the forefront of the global climate crisis, facing extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and biodiversity loss—despite contributing less than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. As debates intensify over carbon credit agreements, oil exploration in the Congo Basin, and the role of Africa in shaping global climate policy, questions remain about how the continent can advocate for equitable and sustainable solutions. In this episode, Mvemba is joined by Tosi Mpanu-Mpanu, Health, Safety, and Environment Director at Entreprise Générale du Cobalt. Together, they explore Africa’s unique climate challenges, the complexities of carbon markets, and the region’s growing influence in global environmental negotiations.

The Afropolitan will be taking a brief hiatus to re-envision its next steps. Stay tuned for an exciting new chapter! In the meantime, we're sharing our very first episode from October, which focused on how older people in Mali are consuming news on TikTok, and why this symbolizes the larger trends sweeping through the Sahel. In this episode, Catherine Nzuki is joined by Doussouba Konaté, the Country Director of Accountability Lab Mali. We unpack two of these shifts in the Sahel. First, growing anti-French sentiments in the region has led to language decolonization in Mali, in which a growing number of people would rather receive their news in Bambara, one of Mali’s national languages, over French. Secondly, growing internet access has connected people across Mali and has brought more visibility to the plight of Malians living in conflict-affected areas. However, as social media usage grows, so too does online misinformation and disinformation.

What does it take to influence meaningful change in Nigeria’s governance landscape? In this episode of Into Africa, Udo Ilo, author of It Is Impossible: Influencing Change in Nigeria, joins to explore the complex landscape of social and political change in Nigeria. Drawing on his extensive experience in governance reform, civic engagement, and social innovation, Udo offers valuable insights into the challenges of driving democracy and political transformation in a country marked by entrenched political structures and security concerns. From his tenure as Interim Executive Director at the Center for Civilians in Conflict to his work as Nigerian representative with the Open Society Initiative for West Africa, Udo shares his perspective on what it takes to challenge the status quo and introduce innovative solutions for governance. The episode also highlights lessons from Nigeria’s experience that can inform global policymakers and advocates working toward meaningful social change.

Catherine Nzuki is joined by Naa Laryea, a software engineer living in Accra. She walks us through what apartment hunting is like in Accra, why some landlords ask for a year or two years’ worth of rent up front, and the causes of the housing crisis in Accra. Nelson C.J., West Africa Correspondent at OkayAfrica, joins the Afropolitan and zooms out to discuss the common drivers of the housing crunch in major West African cities. Nelson shares his findings from his recent article with OkayAfrica, examining how the National Tenants Union of Ghana is advocating for affordable housing and rent control. Lastly, as Africa’s population grows, Nelson unpacks how investing in small and mid-sized cities can help decongest cities like Accra, Dakar, and Lagos. You can read Nelson C. J.’s work on OkayAfrica and follow Nelson C.J. on X (@nelsoncj3) and Instagram (@nelsonfromnorman____).

Since its founding, the African Union (AU) has positioned itself as a unifying force for economic integration, conflict resolution, and continental self-determination. However, recent developments—including interstate tensions and shifting global dynamics—have raised questions about the organization’s effectiveness and direction. When the 2025 AU Summit convened in February 2025, critical discussions on Africa’s political and economic future took center stage. The conversations revolved around the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), responses to regional security challenges, and African representation in global governance institutions . Yet, internal divisions and leadership struggles threaten the AU’s ability to represent Africa’s diverse interests on the world stage. Mvemba is joined by Dr. Solomon Dersso, adjunct professor at the University of Cape Town and founding director of Amani Africa, to analyze the AU’s evolving role, the implications of the 2025 Summit, and the…

We traditionally think of impact evaluation as an academic or technical skill. The Impact Evaluation (IE) Lab at the Economic and Social Research Foundation (ESRF), a think tank in Dar es Salaam, is working to change that. Catherine Nzuki is joined by Dr. Constantine Manda, the co-founder and inaugural Director of the IE Lab at ESRF, and Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Irvine. The core mission of the IE Lab is to expose every Tanzanian to IE, even in its simplest form, regardless of education level. They discuss what impact evaluation is, why it’s important for every Tanzanian to be introduced to impact evaluation methods, and how the IE Lab tailors its training for policymakers and local authorities. Dr. Manda also shares the interventions done by the IE Lab to encourage Covid-19 vaccine uptake in Tanzania and healthier food habits in Dar es Salaam. Read more about the IE Lab’s research here.

The ONE Campaign, originally founded as Debt AIDS Trade for Africa (DATA) in 2004, is a global advocacy organization dedicated to driving investments and creating economic opportunities in Africa. Over the past 20 years, ONE has continually evolved to address the continent’s most pressing challenges, ensuring its work remains relevant and impactful. ONE advocates for justice and equity in Africa’s global relationships. At its core, the organization is committed to advancing Africa’s own vision—the continent as an equal player on the world stage. In this episode of Into Africa, Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, CEO and President of the ONE Campaign, discusses how the organization leverages public, private, and non-profit partnerships to create opportunities of sustainable development on the continent.

Three West African countries - Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso - have finalized their exit from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Another thing they have in common? All three countries are under junta rule after military coups that took place in recent years. They have since formed their own union - the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Why have these three countries exited ECOWAS, and is this a crisis point for the regional bloc? Catherine Nzuki is joined by Beverly Ochieng, Senior Analyst for Francophone Africa at Control Risks, and a Senior Associate with the CSIS Africa Program, to unpack these questions and more. They discuss the state of politics and security in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso (1:30); why the leaders of these military juntas are popular at home and across Africa (4:40); what drove the decision to exit ECOWAS and what this means for unity in the region (7:37); how the AES is using arts, culture, and media to self-legitimize; (20:00); how the pan-African, decolonial…

Yinka Adegoke, editor of Semafor Africa, joined Into Africa to discuss the rapidly changing media landscape across the continent. While African media has a long history, dating back to the pre-independence era, it has traditionally been focused on national issues rather than Pan-African topics. As a result, many Africans rely on foreign news sources to stay informed about neighboring countries, reinforcing external narratives that often shape perceptions of the continent through a foreign lens. The rise of social media and Pan-African media outlets has increased global awareness of the reality on the continent. Beyond the media, Africa's global narrative is being reshaped through its pop culture, technology, and business sectors. This conversation highlights the transformative forces driving Africa’s evolving story, offering a fresh perspective on its growing influence on the world stage.

Catherine Nzuki is joined by Dr. Chinasa T. Okolo, a fellow in the Center for Technology Innovation in the Governance Studies program at Brookings and a recent computer science Ph.D. graduate from Cornell University. Dr. Okolo provides an overview of Africa’s AI industry (1:54); DeepSeek and what it means for AI startups (6:40); common misconceptions about AI development (7:54); how to make AI safer for the global majority (14:22); the AI safety landscape in Africa (16:52); developing benchmarks to measure AI safety in Africa (19:05); why reforming existing data governance is a pathway to AI regulation (21:50); ethical approaches to developing language models (25:00); the exploitation of workers that train and label AI models (27:00); and leveraging available language models to build African language models (35:00). Dr. Okolo’s AI safety initiative: A new writing series: Re-envisioning AI safety through global majority perspectives. February 19 event on AI Safety at Brookings: Globalizing Perspectives on AI…

Somalia has undergone significant transformations, evolving through three republics. The current federal system, which was established in 2000 through the Djibouti settlement, is based on a parliamentary model, democratic system, clan power-sharing, and regional autonomy. However, recent moves by President Mohamud’s administration to shift toward a more centralized presidential system have sparked controversy. His government’s attempts to consolidate power have alienated opposition groups and key federal member states. While the country has made slow but steady progress, governance disputes and persistent security threats continue to challenge its path to stability. Military victory against Islamist insurgents remain out of reach, making the involvement of an external third party essential to negotiating a peace settlement. Mvemba is joined by Dr. Afyare Elmi, political scientist and research professor at the City University of Mogadishu, to explore the causes of Somalia’s ongoing security challenges,…

Catherine Nzuki is joined by Andrew Friedman, Senior Fellow with the CSIS Human Rights Initiative. They discuss the scale of USAID’s work around the world, the immediate impacts of this aid freeze, and USAID's shaky future. Samuel Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, joins the Afropolitan to unpack how his organization and others around Africa are impacted by the U.S. aid freeze. They also discuss the aid dependency debate that this freeze has spurred, and why this disruption is giving people hope that perhaps this time, Africa can address its aid dependency for good.

On any given day, there are 2,500-3,000 United States Army personnel in Africa undertaking a variety of engagements with their African counterparts. The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) was established in October 2007, making it just over 17 years old—close to the age of majority. AFRICOM undertakes security exercises, civil affairs initiatives, and key leader engagements, among other activities. AFRICOM represents the third ‘D’—Defense—of U.S. foreign policy pillars, with defense and security being the most visible pillar across the continent. This has made AFRICOM the primary face of U.S. engagement for many African governments. This approach or reality has its advantages and drawbacks. Niger is perhaps the most telling case. The massive U.S. military presence in the country reflected the prominent role that defense and security objectives play in U.S.-Africa relations. The expulsion of U.S. forces from Niger in 2024 due to a disagreement over a military coup d’état diminished U.S. standing in the Sahel.…

The December festive season in Nigeria, commonly referred to as ‘detty December’ have captured the world’s attention. Lagos alone brought in $71.6m in tourism revenue in December 2024, according to the Lagos State Government. How are locals faring with the influx of tourists in a tough economy? Catherine Nzuki is joined by Oluwatomisin Amokeoja, a journalist with Forbes Africa, to give an overview of ‘detty December’ in Lagos. They unpack what ‘detty December’ is (1:58); where the term originates (3:40); and how it has grown into such a big phenomenon that pulls in celebrities, tourists, and diaspora members (known colloquially as the “I Just Got Back” or IJGBs) (5:59); and what the December celebrations look like for locals (7:54). Peter Imouokhome, a development economist and consultant based in Lagos joins the podcast to unpack the economics of ‘detty December’. They discuss the causes of the ongoing economic crisis in Nigeria (10:40); its impact on locals (16:29); how the cost of living crisis has led to…

As 2025 begins, Africa confronts significant challenges to its growth and development. Instability in the Sahel highlights the waning influence of ECOWAS and France’s diminished military presence, while conflicts in Eastern DRC are intensified by Rwanda and Uganda’s backing of the M23 rebel group. In Sudan, the U.S. has recognized the severity of the crisis through a genocide declaration and sanctions, but doubts linger about its long-term commitment. Meanwhile, Mozambique grapples with an insurgency in Cabo Delgado and election-related violence, further adding to the continent’s volatility. These pressing issues await the incoming Trump administration, as U.S. policy toward Africa continues to struggle with a gap between rhetoric and action. Addressing this requires a practical approach—one that engages flexibly with Africa’s diverse governments and navigates the complexities of the continent’s evolving geopolitical landscape. Such a shift is vital to effectively tackling Africa’s challenges and…

Catherine Nzuki is joined by Dr. Jennifer D. Sciubba, President and CEO of the Population Reference Bureau and one of the foremost experts in the field of political demography. Dr. Sciubba breaks down how demographers project future populations and the drivers of population growth. They discuss the limited window to take advantage of Africa’s demographic dividend, the population decline debate in the West, and why overpopulation is a contentious term. They also discuss how politics, cultural norms, women’s empowerment, and the autonomy to not have children factor into population growth.