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.

The intersection of people, politics, and power in Africa is a dynamic space marked by both opportunities and challenges. 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. Africa’s future depends on navigating these competing forces to foster more inclusive, equitable, and democratic societies.

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Featured Project

Photo: SIDIKI KEITA/AFP/Getty Images

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.

View Project Here

Featured Event

Kenya's Emergence as a Regional Power

Presented by Africa Program
February 26, 2025 • 9:00 am – 4:00 pm EST

Most Recent

Photo: LUIS TATO/AFP/Getty Images

Photo: LUIS TATO/AFP/Getty Images

Can Gen Z Protests Reshape Governance in Africa?

Across Africa, Gen Z–led protests are redefining political engagement. But can this new wave of activism move beyond disruption to deliver lasting institutional change?

Commentary by Khasai Makhulo and Oge Onubogu — April 10, 2026

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Can Gen Z Protests Reshape Governance in Africa?

Across Africa, Gen Z–led protests are redefining political engagement. But can this new wave of activism move beyond disruption to deliver lasting institutional change?

Commentary by Khasai Makhulo and Oge Onubogu — April 10, 2026

Into Africa

Emergency Response Rooms and Collective Action in Sudan

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.

Podcast Episode by Catherine Nzuki — April 9, 2026

Photo: CSIS
Into Africa

Nigeria: Religion, Power, and Peacebuilding

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 search for peace in one of the world’s most religiously vibrant countries. 

Podcast Episode by Oge Onubogu — February 27, 2026

Photo: CSIS
Into Africa

Sudan: Navigating the World’s Largest Humanitarian Crisis

Oge is joined by Hanin Ahmed, a Sudanese activist, and Daniel O’Malley, head of the ICRC in Sudan. Hanin and Daniel discuss the scale of the crisis, the current humanitarian support landscape, and possible avenues to address the fragmentation of the social fabric in Sudan.

Podcast Episode by Oge Onubogu — February 12, 2026

Photo: CSIS
Into Africa

Horn of Africa: Conflict, Power, and New Alliances

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 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.

Podcast Episode by Oge Onubogu — January 29, 2026

Photo: CSIS
Into Africa

Connecting the Dots: Africa’s Year Ahead

In this first episode, Oge is joined by Fonteh Akum, Executive Director of 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.

Podcast Episode by Oge Onubogu — January 15, 2026

Photo: CSIS
Into Africa

Back to basics: Decoding demographics with Dr. Jennifer D. Sciubba

Catherine was joined by Dr. Jennifer D. Sciubba, President and CEO of the Population Reference Bureau, to 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. 

Podcast Episode by Catherine Nzuki — August 28, 2025

Photo: CSIS
Into Africa

What is sustaining Kenya’s “Gen-Z” protests?

Chemutai Ruto joins Khasai Makhulo to discuss the ongoing political movements in Kenya, exploring the pivotal role of women in current movements, how joy fuels resistance, and the ways social media is powering the longevity of the protest.  

Podcast Episode by Khasai Makhulo and Catherine Nzuki — August 14, 2025

Photo: CSIS
Into Africa

Conflict, climate, and the internal displacement of 3.7 million Nigerians

Arjun Jain, the UN Refugee Agency’s Representative in Nigeria, joins Catherine to discuss the drivers of internal displacement in Nigeria, the realities facing displaced communities, and how UNHCR is supporting agricultural solutions to help them rebuild their lives.

Podcast Episode by Catherine Nzuki — July 31, 2025

Photo: CSIS