Author: Opinion

As Washington assumes ‘America First’ position, NGOs in Africa that are heavily dependent on U.S. aid face a stark choice either to collapse or reinvent themselves quickly through diversification, innovation, and local ownership. As President Donald Trump’s second year in office gathers pace, a controversial yet vital question grips the boardrooms of NGOs in Africa: how long can they survive without billions of dollars in American foreign aid? Washington has over the decades been the largest contributor to international development, with subsidies to health, education, democracy promotion, and humanitarian assistance channeled via USAid, which ceased operations on 1st July 2025.…

For more than a decade, the Ethiopia GERD has represented hope to millions of Ethiopians who contributed their savings, their salaries, and their belief to a project that promised electricity, dignity, and development. For others in the region, particularly Egypt, it has represented uncertainty and fear about water security. That tension has turned a hydroelectric project into one of the most consequential geopolitical issues in Africa. Today, the conversation around Ethiopia GERD sovereignty is resurfacing in a new context. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s recent visit to the United Arab Emirates signals deepening diplomatic and economic engagement between Ethiopia and key…

As the clamor for Africa’s moment gets underway, one of the most consistent patterns we have seen is that too many programmes are either poorly funded, poorly designed or poorly implemented. Africa stands at the edge of a historic demographic shift. By 2050, one in three young people in the world will be African. This represents an extraordinary opportunity for the continent to shape global innovation and economic growth. But the promise of this moment depends on something very simple: whether every child in Africa learns to read and do basic maths in the early grades. Why Learning Levels Remain…

This open letter is in response to a new effort on the part of United States, specifically U.S. President Donald J. Trump in meddling in the Ethiopia Egypt conflict over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which Ethiopia is building on the Blue Nile. While it is frequently described in terms of promoting “regional stability,” this intervention raises fundamental questions about sovereignty, legitimacy and power relations in Africa. The Nile River runs through and is used by many countries, most prominently Egypt, which has historically held outsize political influence over waters of the Nile due to colonial-era agreements. The construction of the GERD…

Benin once again erupted in sound and colour this weekend as Cotonou shook to the beat of a rarefied music festival organized by the President’s son. International acts, a dazzling set-up, huge publicity: it was all planned to give the country two-and-a-half-hours of collective euphoria despite Benin’s political instability. But as the spotlight shone on stage, another reality lurked in the shadows. What makes this contrast politically significant is not the existence of entertainment itself, but the timing, messaging, and national attention it commands when public debate is narrowing and material hardship is rising. In such moments, celebration can become…

Ending digital gender-based violence is central to achieving inclusive growth, human dignity, and the promise of Africa’s digital future. The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign is an international campaign led by the United Nations to challenge violence against women and girls. From 25 November – 10 December, this year’s 16 Days campaign targets how to end digital violence against women and girls. African Development Bank Director for Women, Gender and Civil Society Jemimah Njuki and Senior Programme Officer Ndey Oley Cole share five bold moves to end digital gender-based violence and unlock Africa’s digital promise.Every day, countless…

To achieve stronger Africa’s energy future, policymakers must facilitate with stable fiscal regimes, predictable contract terms, and anti-corruption measures. These reforms help de-risk projects and give investors the confidence to commit long-term capital. Investor confidence in Algeria’s energy sector is climbing. The country — already one of Africa’s most active oil and gas producers — has seen even more momentum in 2025. In October, Algeria’s national oil company, Sonatrach, announced a USD5.4 billion partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Midad Energy to explore and develop new fields in the Illizi Basin. The government has also entered advanced talks with ExxonMobil and Chevron…

The Benin Coup Attempt: A Crisis Years in the Making Ten years of constitutional tinkering, regional destabilization and trans-border repression under President Patrice Talon made rupture unavoidable. The peace of West Africa now hinges on recognizing that the genuine threat to Benin did not start in the barracks. We must condemn the botched coup in Benin. For those of us who have spent our careers upholding democratic governance, the rule of law and peaceful transfer of power, there is no doubt: Soldier interventions are an illegitimate breach with constitutional order and a slap in the face to the principles that…

A Tribute to Kwezi Mngqibisa: Life & Professional Impact… Brothers and sisters, distinguished colleagues, and friends, We gather here today with heavy hearts to honour the life, the work, and the spirit of our dear brother, Kwezi Kennedy Mngqibisa. On the 1st of December, I received the news from my sister, Martha Kiiza Bakwesegha, that Kwezi had been recalled to higher office on the 27th of November 2025. In that moment, I felt what we call in Kirundi Agahinda—a deep, quiet, overwhelming sadness. Today, we share that sorrow. But we also share gratitude for having known him. A Meeting That…

Artificial intelligence in Africa is no longer the stuff of science fiction or a distant technological curiosity. Already, it has entered into the political, social and security landscape of the heart of the continent, sometimes whispering, other times screaming and now and again with radical effect. For a continent struggling with entrenched conflicts, demographic pressures, misinformation and geopolitical shifts, AI represents both an extraordinary opportunity as well as an urgent governance challenge. Africa is now at a cross point: we can define AI, or be defined by it. AI, Governance and Peacebuilding in Africa Across the continent, AI systems now…