Menu

United States Institute of Peace

Home ▶ Events

Africa Futures Summit

Africa and the Future of Multilateralism: Toward Sustainable, Effective and Transformative Partnerships

Date: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 / Time: 9:00am - 4:40pm EDT

Center: Africa Center

Share This
Print the Page

Africa is a continent in transition. By the year 2050, one in four people on the planet will be African, and many are working to realize Africa’s demographic, energy, industrial, agricultural, technological and human development potential. But that transition is not taking place in a vacuum. The world is increasingly fragmented on critical global issues, including those affecting Africa. And the recent series of coup d'états in the Sahel, the severe impact of climatic shocks and ongoing violent conflicts underline the need for a unified approach among Africans and the international community regarding the continent’s future. 

On April 16, USIP hosted the Africa Futures Summit to examine approaches to catalyze Africa’s potential to benefit and shape the global system. Discussions drew on the African Futures research, forecasting and policy analysis led by the Institute for Security Studies, along with perspectives from Africa, the African Diaspora and American experts.

Continue the conversation on social media using the hashtag #AfricaFuturesSummit.

Agenda

9:00am - 10:40am | The Future of Africa in a Changing Global Context 

Watch on YouTube

Opening Remarks

  • Dr. Joseph Sany
    Vice President, Africa Center, U.S. Institute of Peace
  • Dr. Fonteh Akum
    Executive Director, Institute for Security Studies
  • Srik Gopal
    President and Managing Partner, Humanity United
  • H.E. Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa
    Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission

Panel Discussion

  • Dr. Jakkie Cilliers
    Chairperson of the Board, Institute for Security Studies
  • Joy Basu
    Deputy Assistant Secretary Bureau of African Affairs, U.S. Department of State
  • Mvemba Dizolele
    Senior Fellow, Center for Strategic and International Studies
  • Dr. Abbey Ogunwale
    Vice President, Strategic Growth and Business Development, One Earth Future Foundation
  • Dr. Joseph Sany
    Vice President, Africa Center, U.S. Institute of Peace
  • Kizito Byenkya
    Director of Campaigns, Open Society Foundation

11:15am - 12:30pm | Forging Multilateral And Collective Security Partnerships of the Future

Watch on YouTube

  • Maria Kisumbi
    Director, Policy and Government Relations, Humanity United 
  • Joshua Meservey
    Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute
  • Désiré Assogbavi
    Francophone Africa Director, The ONE Campaign
  • Alexandra (Allie) Davis
    Senior Policy Advisor, U.S. Mission to the United Nations

2:00pm - 3:10pm | Crossing Africa’s Debt Impasse – Unlocking Development Potential 

Watch on YouTube

  • Jason Braganza 
    Executive Director, Afrodad
  • Chenai Mukumba
    Executive Director, Tax Justice Network Africa
  • Dr. Kouassi Yeboua
    Senior Researcher, Institute for Security Studies
  • H.E. Albert M. Muchanga
    African Union Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals

3:10pm - 4:40pm | Future for Democratic Governance in Africa – Securing Sustainable, Democratic Transitions  

Watch on YouTube

  • Kehinde Togun
    Managing Director, Public Engagement, Humanity United 
  • Dr. Fonteh Akum
    Executive Director, Institute for Security Studies 
  • Dr. Joe Asunka
    Chief Executive Officer, Afrobarometer
  • Oge Onubogu
    Director, Africa Program, Wilson Center
  • Susan Stigant
    Director, Africa Center, U.S. Institute of Peace

Related Publications

China’s Global Security Initiative Takes Shape in Southeast and Central Asia

China’s Global Security Initiative Takes Shape in Southeast and Central Asia

Thursday, November 21, 2024

By: Carla Freeman, Ph.D.;  Bates Gill;  Alison McFarland

Since Chinese leader Xi Jinping launched the Global Security Initiative (GSI) in April 2022, it has been used in China’s efforts to expand its international security role and reshape global order. Drawing on field research and discussions with regional policymakers and experts, this report looks at Beijing’s progress in implementing and operationalizing the GSI in the priority regions of mainland Southeast Asia and Central Asia, and it examines key policy implications, explaining why the initiative warrants greater attention on the part of the US policy community.

Type: Special Report

Global Policy

A Delicate Balance: Promoting Nuclear Energy While Preventing Proliferation

A Delicate Balance: Promoting Nuclear Energy While Preventing Proliferation

Thursday, November 21, 2024

By: Brittany Croll;  Andrew Cheatham

As global energy demands intensify and the urgency of addressing climate shocks mounts, the role of nuclear energy has come to the forefront of discussions for governments, businesses and those concerned about sustainable development. Just last week, the Biden administration released a plan to triple U.S. nuclear capacity by 2050. While nuclear energy promises efficiency gains and significant emissions reductions, public opinion remains divided about the tradeoffs of increased investment, the safety risks and the implications for international security. This puts the U.S. at a crossroads as it tries to navigate its role in a world with new demands for nuclear energy and heightened risks of conflict between nuclear-armed states. Such risks were highlighted this week when Russia lowered its nuclear threshold in response to new U.S. authorizations for Ukraine to use long-range weapons.

Type: Analysis

Environment;  Global Policy

A Public Perceptions Survey of China in Venezuela

A Public Perceptions Survey of China in Venezuela

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

By: Henry Tugendhat;  Mark Feierstein

This discussion paper presents and analyzes original data gathered in June 2023 on Venezuelan perceptions of China and the United States. The results show that China’s standing in Venezuela has declined in absolute terms and relative to the United States, which is commensurate with trends elsewhere in Latin America. Furthermore, it suggests the orientation of Venezuela’s foreign policy—including forging close ties to China and alienating the United States—is inconsistent with Venezuelan public preferences. Venezuelans, however, are not fully satisfied with the policy approach of either China or the United States toward Venezuela.

Type: Discussion Paper

Global Policy

China’s Dilemmas Deepen as North Korea Enters Ukraine War

China’s Dilemmas Deepen as North Korea Enters Ukraine War

Thursday, November 14, 2024

By: Carla Freeman, Ph.D.;  Naiyu Kuo

Until late October, the big questions about China’s role in the Ukraine conflict centered around whether Beijing would choose to expand its support for Russia to include lethal aid, or if it might engage in more active peacemaking to end the conflict. Then, on November 4, the Pentagon confirmed that North Korea sent more than 10,000 troops to Russia’s Kursk oblast, where Ukraine had captured some territory earlier this year. Days later, the State Department confirmed that North Korean soldiers had begun fighting Ukrainian troops.

Type: Analysis

Conflict Analysis & Prevention;  Global Policy

View All Publications