This holiday season, we’re dreaming of a just and representative global order. Catherine Nzuki is joined by Ambassador Martin Kimani, PhD, the Executive Director of New York University’s Center on International Cooperation. He was previously the Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations (UN).

In this episode, we take a deep dive into Africa’s bid for two permanent seats on the UN Security Council (UNSC) and the long road to get there. We discuss how long Africa has been pushing for these seats (3:40); the procedure to create the two permanent seats (7:00); why the process of selecting which African state will occupy those seats could cause infighting (15:20); and two scenarios for how these seats could be distributed (19:40).

We zoom out to discuss the deficit of visionary contemporary leaders (30:18); the types of reforms that the African Union needs (34:42); Africa’s demographic dividend (36:00); Africa in the G20 (42:30); and finally, reordering global geography in line with Africa’s own interests (45:00).

This December 1st, Project HOPE was among the many organizations commemorating World AIDS Day as well as the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Over two decades, significant progress in HIV control, particularly in Africa, has been achieved through initiatives like President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Since 2003, PEPFAR has enabled over 20 million people to access antiretroviral therapy and prevented 5.5 million HIV-positive births. However, challenges persist in meeting UNAIDS' 95-95-95 targets—ensuring widespread testing, treatment, and viral suppression. Barriers include funding shortages, stigma, and competing health crises like COVID-19. Adolescents, especially girls and young women, face heightened risk due to social vulnerabilities and limited access to youth-friendly services.

Mvemba is joined by Dr. Uche Ralph-Opara, Chief Health Officer at Project HOPE, to discuss the progress made and the hurdles that remain in achieving epidemic control. Their conversation highlights innovative approaches to addressing gender inequality and empowering vulnerable populations.

According to Debt Justice and Christian Aid, 34 African countries spend more on external debt payments than on health or education. Seriously, how did we get here? Tim Jones (Policy Director at Debt Justice UK) walks us through the causes of Africa's debt crisis, its impact, and how it can be fixed.

Tim is the co-author of the report "Between Life and Debt" by Christian Aid and Debt Justice UK. You can find the report here: https://www.christianaid.org.uk/news/between-life-and-debt.

Catherine Nzuki is joined by Joseph Asunka, PhD, CEO of Afrobarometer, the leading source of public attitude data in Africa. Together, they discuss Afrobarometer's rise, its meticulous survey research methods, and case studies showcasing the policy impact of its data in Ghana, Malawi, and Botswana. They also discuss the difficulties of conducting surveys in conflict-afflicted or fragile contexts and how Afrobarometer has contributed to the growth of survey research organizations across Africa. Joseph Asunka also highlights how big data could be a changemaker in conducting research in Africa.

Ghana has long been viewed internationally as a regional leader in democracy, particularly notable given its challenging neighborhood bordering the Sahel states. Although cross-border security challenges persist, Ghana has not experienced terrorist attacks from al-Qaeda–affiliated JNIM, though its northern region remains vulnerable. Instead, Ghana’s security apparatus faces significant internal challenges, including rising chieftaincy conflicts, illegal mining (galamsey), land use disputes, and citizenship issues in some communities. These factors have led to a decline in public perception of state institutions, especially regarding the police, the electoral commission, and the ruling party.

Paul Nana Kwabena Aborampah Mensah, program manager in charge of security sector governance at the Ghana Center for Democratic Development, joins Mvemba less than a month before Ghana’s election. They discuss the state of Ghana’s security institutions, the successes and challenges these institutions face, and the implications for Ghana’s upcoming elections.

Catherine Nzuki is joined by Mvemba Phezo Dizolele (CSIS Africa Director and Senior Fellow) and Cameron Hudson (Africa Program Senior Fellow) for a discussion on what President-Elect Donald Trump's second term would mean for the U.S. approach to Africa, and how African capitals may be strategizing for his second term.

Rwanda has endured a series of destabilizing moments that have shaped its complex history and relations with neighboring countries. Colonial rule set the stage for ethnic divisions that worsened under post-colonial governments, leading to the horrific 1994 Rwandan genocide. Following the genocide, Rwanda's rapid reconstruction transformed it into an economic success story. However, longstanding tensions with its neighbors, fueled by historical grievances and security concerns, continue to disrupt and challenge this image and drive instability and insecurity in the Great Lakes. Today, Rwanda's relations with neighboring countries remain fraught. Friction has led to periodic border closures with Uganda and Burundi, while Rwanda's military presence in eastern DRC has contributed to conflict escalation. Questions persist about how Rwanda and its neighbors can move beyond historical grievances and geopolitical struggles to foster lasting peace in the region. 

In this episode, Mvemba is joined by retired General James Kabarebe, Rwanda's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Cooperation. General Kabarebe offers an inside perspective on the security challenges Rwanda faces with its neighbors. He addresses Rwanda’s diplomatic and strategic stance, shedding light on the complexities of regional cooperation, and explores ways to navigate the tensions affecting Rwanda and its neighbors. 

This event is made possible by the generous support of Open Society Foundations.

The story of older people in Mali who consume news on TikTok symbolizes the larger trends sweeping through the Sahel. In this episode, Catherine Nzuki is joined by Doussouba Konaté, the Country Director of Accountability Lab Mali. We unpack two of these shifts in the Sahel. First, growing anti-French sentiments in the region has led to language decolonization in Mali, in which a growing number of people would rather receive their news in Bambara, one of Mali’s national languages, over French. Secondly, growing internet access has connected people across Mali and has brought more visibility to the plight of Malians living in conflict-affected areas. However, as social media usage grows, so too does online misinformation and disinformation.

The CSIS Africa Program is excited to announce the launch of The Afropolitan, a podcast hosted by Catherine Nzuki, Associate Fellow with the Africa Program. The Afropolitan is dedicated to exploring Africa’s growing influence on the global stage. By 2050, one in four people on the planet will be African. Africa will increasingly drive key aspects of the future—from the global workforce and cutting-edge innovations to creative industries that inspire global culture and arts. The decisions made across Africa today, both positive and negative, will shape the world’s future.

The future of cosmopolitanism is increasingly African. The Afropolitan delves into the stories, trends, and challenges shaping today’s realities and defining the decades ahead.

You can find The Afropolitan on the same feed as Into Africa. Search for "Into Africa" wherever you get your podcasts.

Youth movements have become a powerful catalyst for demanding change across Africa. Kenya’s #RejectFinanceBill2024 protests emerged in June 2024 as a response to a controversial finance bill that included significant tax hikes. Despite violent police crackdowns resulting in over 60 deaths, the movement successfully pressured President Ruto to withdraw the bill and dismiss several cabinet members. Mvemba is joined by Kenyan youth leaders Hanifa Adan, Journalist and Activist, Kasmuel McOure, Spokesperson for the National Coordination Committee of Peoples' Assemblies, and Mwanase Ahmed, Socio-environmental Activist, to discuss the ongoing dissatisfaction of Kenyan youth. They highlighted the failure of previous regimes to address economic hardship and government corruption that led to a collective awakening among young people. These activists stressed the need for civic education and community engagement to mobilize support across Kenya. Furthermore, the overarching sentiment is that youth will continue to strive for change and seek accountability from Kenyan political leaders, a sign of growing resilience in the face of systems that do not work for them.

Botswana, known for its political stability and diamond-rich economy, has made significant strides since independence in 1966, particularly in education and health. Beneath the surface of political stability and dazzling achievements, a vibrant civil society is actively striving to tackle the nation's most urgent challenges including youth unemployment, issues of identity and representation, pressures faced by the independent media, and youth HIV/AIDS rates.

Mvemba discusses Botswana's political landscape and development with Kagiso Molatlhwa, Executive Director of the Botswana Council of Non-Governmental Organizations (BOCONGO). Molatlhwa emphasizes the need for economic diversification, improved service delivery, and a more inclusive constitution.