African intellectuals cannot continue to ignore the questions raised by recurrent xenophobia in South Africa. For those of us who like to brag about South Africa’s unique dedication to the idea of a “single citizenship” whereby all are admitted to and enjoy the same political and legal rights, anti-immigrant attacks in the country, which recently…
The Berlin Conference was a disservice to Africa. Irrespective of whichever echo chamber you stumble into, there is no question about this. What happened there? Apprehensive lest the late 19th century competition amongst European countries for influence in and trade with Africa descended into a free-for-all with adverse consequences for every player, Otto von Bismarck…
Nairobi, Kenya — It is very appropriate that this Africa Forward Summit is being held in Kenya. Two weeks ago, a Kenyan marathon runner, Sabastian Sawe, did what had been considered impossible: by running a marathon in under two hours! What we have set ourselves here is also a marathon–and we must show the same…
Nairobi — TANZANIA has urged African countries to harness their abundant natural resources to build a strong and resilient continental economy, while advocating for global multilateralism that upholds mutual partnerships and sovereign equality. Speaking yesterday shortly after the Africa Forward Summit: Africa- France Partnership for Innovation and Growth in Nairobi-Kenya, Prime Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba…
There is a particular cruelty in what is happening to Nigerians and other African migrants in South Africa right now. These are people who crossed borders within the same continent, many of them fleeing hardship, seeking opportunity, building lives with whatever they had. And in the country that the world once held up as the…
African governments and development agencies have embraced science, technology and innovation as levers for development over the past two decades. It is believe that science, technology and innovation boost productivity, cut transaction costs, open new business opportunities and promote social inclusion. They also help societies tackle grand challenges such as climate change and persistent poverty….
How corruption shapes support for media scrutiny in Africa “Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants,” U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis famously said, referring to the belief that vigorous reporting on corruption helps citizens hold their leaders accountable and punish wrongdoers. Yet the politics of exposure is rarely so simple, especially where…
A rapid increase in demand may leave Africa no choice but to make a substantial investment in nuclear energy. First, substantial increases in energy demand will accompany Africa’s development. Rapid development requires the availability of 8.62 barrels of oil equivalent per person a year. The average in Africa currently is three barrels, the lowest of…
The United States’ hastily established third country deportation deals are chaotic and counterproductive. The second Trump administration’s foreign policy towards African countries has been characterized by transactionalism. The U.S. has trumpeted minerals-for-security deals in the Eastern DRC and positioned the end of foreign aid as a recentering of trade. Transactionalism is supposed to do away…
Partnerships That Reinforce Accountability, Transparency and Local Ownership, Argues — As the world gathers for the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the global health agenda is once again under the spotlight. And how the playing field has changed in just one year! For Africa, UNGA is an unmissable opportunity to ensure that the continent’s…
