Africa Program
The Africa Program analyzes key trends shaping Africa’s present, future, and the continent’s evolving role globally. By centering African knowledge and agency, the program conducts forward-thinking research to foster debate and inform U.S. policy toward African countries.
Through examining the complex and rapidly evolving trends shaping Africa’s present and future, the CSIS Africa Program works to address the most pressing public policy issues facing Africa and U.S.-Africa relations. The Africa Program produces balanced and forward-thinking analysis to inform policy, foster solutions, and deepen understanding of Africa’s role in global affairs and its relations with the United States and the rest of the world. We achieve our mission through public convenings, working group discussions, publications, and partnerships with African think tanks and academic institutions. This work aims to foster dialogue that brings together key practitioners, policymakers, private sector leaders, and subject matter experts to analyze and develop practical options for addressing important challenges and opportunities in Africa as well as the continent’s evolving geostrategic role.
Contact Information
- Khasai Makhulo
- Research Assistant, Africa Program
- KMakhulo@csis.org
Media Queries
- Sofia Chavez
- Media Relations Manager, External Relations
- 202.775.7317
- SChavez@csis.org
Focus Areas
People, Power, Politics
From the evolving security and governance landscape to the rapid pace of demographic shifts, digitization, and urbanization, Africa is undergoing a profound emergence as an integral part of the new global order.
Financing Africa's Future
Africa’s development pathway requires creative thinking and bold international cooperation that recognizes the continent’s unique challenges and opportunities. Innovative financing and strategic foresight are integral to bridging Africa’s infrastructure financing gap.
Africa, the United States, and the World
The relationship between the United States and Africa is undergoing a vital evolution amidst a shifting geopolitical landscape. This moment calls for nuanced and adaptive approaches that balance U.S. interests with African priorities.
Featured Projects
African Elections Tracking and Analysis
This project seeks to track, analyze, and report on elections across Africa, many of which shape the continent’s trajectory in global politics in the coming decades.
Africa Policy Accelerator
The Africa Policy Accelerator (APA) is a professional network that meets monthly to discuss current political, economic, and security developments shaping U.S.-Africa relations. Through discussions and guest speakers, APA addresses challenges and provides career insights.
Latest Publications
Photo: South Africa / Handout /Anadolu/Getty Images
The Weight of History and Alliances in South Africa’s Geopolitical Turbulence
South Africa’s foreign policy blends liberation-era ties, post-apartheid grievances, and strategic goals. Amid rising U.S. tensions, Pretoria champions multipolarity, sovereignty, and historical justice to shape its global alliances.
Brief by Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, Cameron Hudson, Khasai Makhulo,and Catherine Nzuki— December 2, 2025
President Trump’s Redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern—CPC”: A Serious, Well-founded Wake-up Call
Congressional Testimony by Oge Onubogu— November 20, 2025
False Choices: Balancing Democracy and Development in U.S. Africa Policy
Commentary by Oge Onuboguand Khasai Makhulo— October 21, 2025
Navigating Disruption: Ally and Partner Responses to U.S. Foreign Policy
Digital Report— October 6, 2025
Trump’s Africa Policy: Commerce and Domestic Politics Clash
Commentary by Oge Onubogu— October 6, 2025
Recent Events
Photo: CSIS
Maximizing the Impact of Africa’s Multilateral Financial Institutions – What Next?
Photo: Fredrik Lerneryd/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Kenya's Emergence as a Regional Power
Photo: CSIS
AFRICOM at 17: Shaping U.S.-Africa Relations
A Conversation with Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield: Reflecting on U.S.-Africa Relations
Into Africa
Fearless music activists. Savvy tech entrepreneurs. Social disrupters.Into Africa shatters narratives that dominate U.S. perceptions of Africa. With the world’s youngest population, the decisions made across Africa today—good or bad—will shape the world’s future. Featuring in-depth interviews, the CSIS Africa Program sits down with policymakers, journalists, academics, and other trailblazers in African affairs to shine a spotlight on the people and stories shaping cultural, political, and economic trends across the continent today and for decades to come.
AllAfrica Program Content
Filter by
- Afghanistan(1)
- Africa(663)
- Americas(24)
- Asia(12)
- Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific(3)
- China(9)
- Eastern Europe(1)
- Egypt and the Levant(2)
- Europe(8)
- European Union(1)
- India(2)
- Japan(2)
- Korea(4)
- Middle East(10)
- NATO(2)
- North Africa(38)
- North Africa(3)
- North America(26)
- Russia(6)
- Russia and Eurasia(6)
- Southeast Asia(5)
- Sub-Saharan Africa(347)
- The Caribbean(1)
- The Gulf(1)
- Turkey(1)
- Allies and Partners(11)
- Artificial Intelligence(1)
- Civil Society(135)
- Climate Change(22)
- Conflict and Humanitarian Crises(43)
- Counterterrorism and Homeland Security(31)
- COVID-19(24)
- Critical Minerals(2)
- Cybersecurity(1)
- Data Governance(3)
- Defense and Security(109)
- Defense Budget and Acquisition(2)
- Defense Industry, Acquisition, and Innovation(2)
- Defense Strategy and Capabilities(16)
- Economic Security(69)
- Energy and Geopolitics(14)
- Energy and Sustainability(27)
- Energy Innovation(5)
- Energy Markets, Trends, and Outlooks(5)
- Family Planning, Maternal and Child Health, and Immunizations(6)
- Food Security(34)
- Gender and International Security(3)
- Gender and Youth(10)
- Geopolitics and International Security(198)
- Global Economic Governance(15)
- Global Governance and Institutions(7)
- Global Health(45)
- Global Markets(2)
- Governance and Rule of Law(131)
- Health and Security(29)
- Humanitarian Assistance(8)
- Human Mobility(14)
- Human Rights(101)
- Human Security(47)
- Infectious Disease(16)
- Intelligence, Surveillance, and Privacy(1)
- International Development(215)
- Military Technology(2)
- Multilateral Health Institutions(7)
- Private Sector Development(37)
- Satellite Imagery(1)
- Space and Aerospace(1)
- Technology(11)
- Technology and Innovation(17)
- Terrorism and Irregular Warfare(18)
- Trade and International Business(42)
- Transitional Justice(13)
- Transnational Threats(5)
- U.S. Development Policy(72)
The Weight of History and Alliances in South Africa’s Geopolitical Turbulence
South Africa’s foreign policy blends liberation-era ties, post-apartheid grievances, and strategic goals. Amid rising U.S. tensions, Pretoria champions multipolarity, sovereignty, and historical justice to shape its global alliances.
Brief by Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, Cameron Hudson, Khasai Makhulo,and Catherine Nzuki— December 2, 2025
President Trump’s Redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern—CPC”: A Serious, Well-founded Wake-up Call
The U.S.-Nigeria relationship is currently under friction. Whether and how Nigeria tackles its own governance and security challenges at home will set the pace not only in Nigeria, but also in the broader West Africa region.
Congressional Testimony by Oge Onubogu— November 20, 2025
False Choices: Balancing Democracy and Development in U.S. Africa Policy
An audio version of “False Choices: Balancing Democracy and Development in U.S. Africa Policy,” a new Commentary by CSIS’s Oge Onubogu and Khasai Makhulo. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.
Podcast Episode by Oge Onuboguand Khasai Makhulo— October 21, 2025
False Choices: Balancing Democracy and Development in U.S. Africa Policy
The shift in U.S. foreign policy to prioritize commercial diplomacy over democracy support presents a false dichotomy. As African partners adjust to the U.S. retreat as an advocate for democracy, this approach risks long-term consequences for U.S.-Africa relations.
Commentary by Oge Onuboguand Khasai Makhulo— October 21, 2025
Responding to Trump’s New Foreign Policy Paradigm
Please join the CSIS Geopolitics and Foreign Policy (GFP) Department for a discussion of the ways in which U.S. allies and partners around the world are navigating the Trump administration’s policies.
Event— October 6, 2025
Navigating Disruption: Ally and Partner Responses to U.S. Foreign Policy
U.S. allies and partners face new and paradigm-shifting challenges under the second Trump administration. This compendium explores how multiple actors are responding to and coping with U.S. policies in the context of disruptive changes to the global order.
Digital Report— October 6, 2025
Trump’s Africa Policy: Commerce and Domestic Politics Clash
An audio version of “Trump’s Africa Policy: Commerce and Domestic Politics Clash,” a new commentary by CSIS’s Oge Onubogu. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.
Podcast Episode by Oge Onubogu— October 6, 2025
Trump’s Africa Policy: Commerce and Domestic Politics Clash
As Africa’s geopolitical importance grows, the United States must clearly define why it is the preferred partner for the continent. Only then can the Trump administration’s commercial diplomacy strategy deliver for both the United States and Africa.
Commentary by Oge Onubogu— October 6, 2025
AGOA’s Uncertain Future: What’s at Stake for U.S.-Africa Trade
An audio version of “AGOA’s Uncertain Future: What’s at Stake for U.S.-Africa Trade,” a new Commentary by CSIS’s Oge Onubogu. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.
Podcast Episode by Oge Onubogu— October 1, 2025
