Africa

This Blog was originally published on ettg.eu Europe and North Africa are intensifying cooperation, driven by shared interests in renewable energy deployment, trade and industrialisation. This renewed focus is opening doors for deeper energy partnerships, including on green hydrogen, and offers North African countries new opportunities to expand into European markets. At the same time, it raises concerns about the uneven distribution of benefits and insufficient international f ...

This Paper was originally published on ettg.eu KEY MESSAGES1. Aligning climate and energy priorities for mutual benefit - North Africa’s solar and wind potential could help meet the EU’s decarbonisation and energy security goals. A longterm, equitable partnership integrating green industrialisation, energy market integration and climate resilience can deliver shared economic, environmental and geopolitical gains. 2. Transforming energy partnerships for a just transition - ...

Les politiques industrielles semblent marquer leur retour, aussi bien dans les grandes puissances économiques que dans les pays émergents et en voie de développement, notamment après la pandémie de la Covid-19, l’accroissement des tensions géopolitiques et commerciales et les effets du changement climatique.L’Afrique n’est pas en reste, surtout qu’une prise de conscience des enjeux liés à la position continentale dans un monde multipolaire est en train de naître. Même au niveau de l ...

This Paper was originally published on atlanticcouncil.org Following a decade-long partnership, the Policy Center for the New South and the Atlantic Council have joined forces around a new program focused on the power of the Atlantic. This series of publications and webinars will focus both on opportunities and challenges around the basin.This brief, the inaugural of the series, by William Yancey Brown highlights the vast energy and mineral potential of the Atlantic O ...

In 2000, The Economist dismissed Africa as the “Hopeless Continent”—a label reflecting a broader system of marginalization rooted in colonial legacy and post-Cold War neglect. This essay offers a realist reappraisal, arguing that Africa’s growing strategic relevance is not the result of benevolence, but of structural necessity.Amid a fracturing global order and the rise of transactional geopolitics under Trump 2.0’s Bessent Doctrine, Africa has become indispensable: rich in critical ...

Bientôt disponible en vente sur Livremoi. Les différentes éditions du Rapport annuel de la géopolitique de l’Afrique, que le Policy Center for the New South publie chaque année, se suivent mais ne se ressemblent pas. Elles ne gardent en commun que leur inscription, dans une même ligne éditoriale, celle qui privilégie l’Afrique en particulier et le Sud en Général. Les différentes éditions se ressemblent en ce sens que leur objet, à toutes, est de permettre à des Africains d ...

This study draws on academic and gray literature to identify the dynamics that facilitate the emergence and proliferation of armed groups and increase vulnerabilities to violent extremism (VE). Given the growing concerns about the spread of VE to northern Benin and the rising incidents of violence, it is crucial to address these underlying factors in order to bolster community cohesion and resilience to violent conflict-particularly against recruitment and influence by violent extre ...

Longtemps considéré comme le géant pétrolier du continent, le Nigeria entame un nouveau chapitre énergétique marqué par une transition stratégique vers le gaz. Avec des réserves prouvées dépassant les 210 000 milliards de pieds cubes, le pays est en passe de devenir le principal producteur et exportateur de gaz en Afrique. L’initiative présidentielle Décennie du Gaz, lancée en 2021 par le président Muhammadu Buhari, constitue le cadre officiel de cette transformation. Elle vise à di ...

Nigeria, long regarded as Africa’s oil powerhouse, is entering a new energy chapter, driven by the country’s strategic shift towards becoming the leading gas economy in the continent. With proven reserves exceeding 210 trillion cubic feet, Nigeria is set to emerge as Africa’s foremost gas producer and exporter. The government’s Decade of Gas Initiative, launched in 2021 by President Muhammadu Bihari, constitutes the official framework for this transition, which aims to diversify the ...

Ce Policy Paper analyse l’érosion progressive de l’ambition d’influence internationale de l’Afrique du Sud, jadis portée par un capital symbolique exceptionnel issu de sa transition postapartheid. Il montre comment Pretoria, longtemps perçue comme une puissance morale et normative au service de la transformation continentale et multilatérale, fait désormais face à des contraintes structurelles qui fragilisent son rôle sur la scène internationale.À partir d’un cadrage histor ...

Ethiopia presents a unique case among developing countries, having combined major social welfare programs with an East Asian-style development-state approach to investment. However, it differs from its East Asian counterparts in two key areas: it has not maintained decades of uninterrupted political stability, nor has it implemented a comprehensive land reform. Even so, its experience illustrates both the strengths and weaknesses of the East Asian development model. Despite a d ...

L’espoir d’une paix durable dans la région des Grands Lacs de l’Afrique centrale est-il enfin permis ? Depuis le début des années 1990, les conflits armés dans les deux provinces du Kivu et l’Ituri à l’est de la République démocratique du Congo (RDC) se cristallisent dans des formes d’une rare violence. Pour sortir de cette crise récurrente, un accord de non-agression entre la RD Congo et son voisin, le Rwanda, accusé d’interférence, constitue un préalable. Mais il n’est ...

Prochainement disponible sur Livremoi.   Les Dialogues Stratégiques, fruit d'une collaboration entre le HEC Center for Geopolitics et le Policy Center for the New South, constituent une plateforme d'échanges biannuelle dédiée à l’analyse des grandes tendances mondiales et des problématiques régionales qui lient l’Europe et l’Afrique. Réunissant praticiens, décideurs, universitaires et représentants des médias, cet espace de réflexion permet de décoder les transformations ...

On April 17, 2025, British oil and gas giant BP announced the export of the first cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from offshore resources shared by Senegal and Mauritania. For the first time in their history, both countries have become LNG exporters. This milestone follows a series of pivotal developments in the region’s hydrocarbon sector. In late December 2024, offshore gas production began. By February 2025, LNG production had commenced. Earlier still, in June 2024, Senegal ...

Le 17 avril 2025, le géant britannique BP a annoncé qu’une première cargaison de gaz naturel liquéfié (GNL) avait été exportée à partir de ressources gazières exploitées au large du Sénégal et de la Mauritanie. Ces deux pays sont devenus, pour la première fois dans leur histoire, des exportateurs de GNL. Précédemment, il y avait eu trois autres dates particulièrement marquantes dans la valorisation des hydrocarbures dans cette zone. Fin décembre 2024, la production de gaz naturel of ...

This Opinion was originally published in Project Syndicate As the US-China rivalry intensifies, both powers are courting mineral-rich African countries in an effort to secure critical raw materials. Translating Africa's vast natural-resource wealth into lasting development requires an infrastructure-led strategy that delivers long-term value for local communities. ...

Tunisia’s stagnant growth since the Jasmine Revolution (2011) illustrates that political democracy, when not anchored in economic democracy, is fragile at best. Economic democracy remains absent in Tunisia, as markets are concentrated and continue to be burdened by high barriers to entry and rules that favor a privileged few. These conditions stifle dynamism, competition, and ultimately, inclusive growth. The government’s decision to paper over these structural weaknesses through s ...

Fluctuating precipitation and extreme weather are long-standing features of life in West Africa, the Sahel, and the Lake Chad Basin. Communities across the region have historically adapted to these unique climatic conditions in diverse ways. However, the growing impact of climate change, coupled with challenges to food security and ecological resilience, has elevated these issues on the agendas of  regional and international policy platforms. Despite this recognition, the regio ...

This paper (see pages: 165-198), included in the book 'Green intersections: the global embedding of climate change in policy' was originally published on bruegel.org   The demand for energy in Africa is growing rapidly, driven by population growth, urbanisation and industrialisation. Nevertheless, over 600 million Africans still lack access to electricity, which represents a significant energy gap for the continent. At the same time, Africa is endowed with vast renewable ...

The recent elections to the African Union (AU) were unfavorable for Morocco, which lost out to Algeria for the post of Vice-President of the Union and was not re-elected to the Peace and Security Council (PSC). This result was met with incomprehension and a sense of failure on the part of Moroccan diplomacy. However, the article proposes to go beyond this emotional vision to analyze the mechanisms of influence within the AU. The Moroccan candidacy evolves in an institutional environ ...

Les récentes élections au sein de l’Union africaine (UA) ont été défavorables pour le Maroc, qui a perdu face à l’Algérie le poste de vice-président de l’Union et n’a pas été réélu au Conseil de Paix et de Sécurité (CPS). Ce résultat a suscité de l’incompréhension et un sentiment d’échec pour la diplomatie marocaine. Cependant, l’article propose de dépasser cette vision émotionnelle pour analyser les mécanismes d’influence au sein de l’UA. La candidature marocaine évolue dans un env ...

The author of this opinion, Othman Mezouar, is a 2023 alumnus of the Atlantic Dialogues Emerging Leaders Program. April 6 each year marks the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, a day dedicated to recognizing the potential of sport as a driver of social change and foundation for building a more inclusive world. Having spent several years working at the intersection of sport, youth empowerment, and international development, I have witnessed firsthand how ...

Le présent ouvrage reprend les contributions présentées à l’occasion de la première édition de la Conférence-débat sur les enjeux stratégiques des espaces maritimes de l’Afrique atlantique organisée par le Policy Center for the New South le 16 avril 2024. Une Conférence-débat qui procède d’une double logique : continuité et originalité. Une logique de continuité, d’abord, parce que l’Atlantique a toujours constitué pour le Policy Center, depuis la création du think ...

Africa has strong prospects for achieving food security within a generation— provided its leadership effectively mobilizes domestic and foreign funds, drives strategic investments, and strengthens institutions that incentivize smallholders and other stakeholders to invest in resilient, high-productivity agriculture amid accelerating climate change. This is undoubtedly a tall order. However, the time is now to seize the golden opportunity of regional market integration through the A ...

The return of President Donald Trump could significantly impact macroeconomic policy in Africa. The effects may vary across the continent. Nations that remain neutral towards U.S. influence are likely to benefit, while those aligned with the U.S.'s rivals or lacking immediate economic advantages may be deprioritized in U.S. foreign policy. In this article, we examine the channels through which U.S. policies and the change in political discourse could affect macroeconomic policies in ...

L'article original en anglais a été initialement publié par Devex   La course pour le poste du prochain Secrétaire général de l’Organisation des Nations Unies (ONU), dont la désignation aura lieu en 2026, a commencé, discrètement. À l’occasion de la célébration de la Journée internationale des droits des femmes, il est opportun de réfléchir au fait qu’aucune femme n’a jamais dirigé l’Organisation en 80 ans de son ’existence. Même si le prochain Secrétaire général de l’ON ...

The Policy Center for the New South (PCNS) has for over a decade advocated for the pooling of expertise, perspectives and resources to benefit developing nations, in Africa, around the South Atlantic and across the South. The need to take inspiration from one another and share analysis and good practices with each other is as pressing as it has ever been, as countries of the South strive to accumulate knowledge, capture value added and move up the value chain. Our center has notably ...

Africa First, But Africa Not Alone As the world grapples with economic fragmentation, geopolitical realignments, and an accelerating polycrisis, Africa finds itself at a historic crossroads. With its vast resources, demographic dynamism, and a growing consumer base, the continent has the potential to reshape global economic narratives. Yet, this potential remains constrained by inadequate infrastructure, limited access to global finance, and persistent structural vulnerabilities. I ...

تتناول هذه الورقة السياسية النزاعات العنيفة المستمرة في السودان، مع التركيز بشكل خاص على الحرب التي اندلعت في الـ15 من أبريل 2023، بين القوات المسلحة السودانية وقوات الدعم السريع. يسلط التحليل الضوء على خلفية هذا النزاع الذي نشب بفعل فشل الانتقال الديمقراطي، بعد الإطاحة بالرئيس عمر البشير سنة 2019. كانت البداية مليئة بالتفاؤل، حيث تم توقيع اتفاق لتقاسم السلطة بين الفصائل العسكرية والمدنية، ولكن هذا الاتفاق انهار سريعاً، وبلغ الانهيار ذروته بحدوث انقلاب عسكري في أكتوبر من سنة 2021. ه ...

Depuis 1956, l’économie égyptienne est en crise. Durant la période entre 1956 et 2024, elle a connu douze dévaluations et huit crises majeures de sa balance des paiements. Avec un déficit récurrent de sa balance courante, le pays est exposé au plus grand des risques : le risque souverain. Ce qui est une première faiblesse. Mais ce pays, qui a toujours réussi à s’épargner ce risque, témoigne aussi de certaines forces, ce qui constitue sa première force. De ce constat est ...

Le 28 mai 2025, la CEDEAO (Communauté Économique des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest) soufflera sa 50ème bougie, occasion propice pour revenir sur les réalisations et les échecs de cette Organisation régionale. Si l’on s’accorde à reconnaitre la CEDEAO comme une structure d’intégration réussie en Afrique, il n’en demeure pas moins que lui sont reprochés quelques défaillances et échecs. ...

This paper was originaly published on tandfonline.com   While Marie Curie’s unique presence among 29 male scientists at the 1927 Solvay Conference underscores the historical gender gap in science, the persistent underrepresentation of women in authorship of scientific publications – particularly in Africa and the Global South – highlights the enduring challenge of achieving gender equality in the scientific community. African women scientists represent 31.1% of the scientific ...

The Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel regions have faced multidimensional conflict since 2011. Violence, attributed mostly to violent extremist organizations (VEOs) affiliated to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, has put both regions on the global map of the deadliest armed conflicts and worst humanitarian crises. Since 2012, tens of thousands of people have been killed, while at least six million people have been displaced in the two regions combined. Simultaneously, floods since August ...

Over the past 50 years, international law relevant to the Sahara Issue has evolved significantly. Yet, even recent developments, such as a decision by the EU court and a proposal by the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy to partition the Saharan provinces, have not adequately accounted for these advancements. Actions by a state that may not have been scrutinized in 1975 could now face condemnation under contemporary legal standards. Notably, the right to self-determination must not ...

Este artículo se publicó originalmente en legrandcontinent.eu   Varios países africanos están ascendiendo silenciosamente en la cadena de valor de los vehículos eléctricos. Campo de batalla de la rivalidad sino-estadounidense por los materiales críticos, África podría encontrar una oportunidad en la nueva fragmentación mundial de las cadenas de suministro. Estudio de caso de la República Democrática del Congo. Las sucesivas perturbaciones de las cadenas de suministro ...

Ce papier a été initialement publié sur legrandcontinent.eu   À bas bruit, plusieurs pays africains sont en train de monter dans la chaîne de valeur des véhicules électriques. Terrain de bataille de la rivalité sino-américaine sur les matières critiques, l’Afrique pourrait trouver dans la nouvelle fragmentation mondiale des chaînes d’approvisionnement une opportunité. Étude de cas depuis la République démocratique du Congo. Les perturbations successives des chaînes d’ ...

Communities around the Lake Chad Basin (LCB) rely on three major economic activities: farming, fishing, and livestock herding. The floods that began in August 2024 damaged and destroyed hundreds of thousands of hectares of farmland, killed thousands of livestock, and rendered fishing unsafe for fishermen. This climate shock caused families dependent on these activities to lose their primary sources of income. Worse still, these economic activities also serve as the main source of da ...

After the European Parliament cleared the 26 candidates proposed by Member States to form the European Commission for 2024-2029, the new European super-ministers will take up their functions on 1 December, with a revised portfolio structure. Where does Africa fit into this new organizational chart of the European Commission? Jozef Síkela, a Czech banker with a professional career in Austria, Slovenia and Ukraine, lately serving as his country’s Ministry of Industry, has been appoin ...

The Lake Chad Basin is home to over 3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs),[1] a number expected to rise due to the recent flooding affecting Chad, Niger, Nigeria, and Cameroon since August. While the primary cause of displacement remains the ongoing violent conflict in the region, the climate crisis is exacerbating existing vulnerabilities and, in the short-term, spurring new waves of displacement in areas already hosting large populations displaced by conflict and insecurit ...

Using panel data from a large group of developing economies and a Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimator, we examine the effects of trade and other factors on female labor-force participation and wage employment. We focus particularly on comparing the effects of trade openness in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region with Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The empirical results indicate that trade openness affects female labor-force p ...

Prochainement disponible sur Livremoi et Amazon.   Les Dialogues Stratégiques, fruit d'une collaboration entre le HEC Center for Geopolitics et le Policy Center for the New South, constituent une plateforme d'échanges biannuelle dédiée à l'analyse des grandes tendances mondiales et des problématiques régionales qui lient l'Europe et l'Afrique. Réunissant praticiens, décideurs, universitaires et représentants des médias, cet espace de réflexion permet de décoder les trans ...

China and India have become powerful incumbents in the manufacturing-for-exports and services-for-exports sectors, respectively. This has made it difficult for Africa, as a latecomer, to employ similar growth models for its own development. Given current geopolitical tension, its own comparative advantages and urgent needs, modernizing agriculture should be the growth model for Africa. ...

The issue of migration between Europe and Africa is not just a humanitarian or social dilemma, but a strategic challenge that will shape the twenty-first century. At its core, it reflects the collision of powerful forces—migration, climate change, human development, energy resources, rare commodities, and demographic pressures—each with significant geopolitical implications. Among these, migration, climate change, and human development stand out as critical issues that exacerbate an ...

This policy paper examines the ongoing violent conflicts in Sudan, focusing particularly on the war that erupted on April 15, 2023, between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The analysis highlights the backdrop of this conflict, which stems from a failed transition to democracy following the ousting of President Omar al-Bashir in 2019. Initially marked by optimism, the power-sharing agreement between military and civilian factions quickly unraveled, ...

In an era marked by shifting global dynamics, Africa and the Middle East are experiencing a profound transition from traditional geopolitics to a more nuanced geoeconomic framework. This evolution reflects the growing recognition that economic interests, rather than mere political allegiances, are driving international relations in these regions. The rise of emerging powers, particularly China and other Asian nations, has challenged the long-standing dominance of Western economies, ...

Ce rapport explore en profondeur le rôle stratégique de la formation professionnelle au Maroc dans le contexte de l’éducation nationale et du développement socio-économique. Il examine les missions et les objectifs du département de la Formation professionnelle (DFP), en mettant l’accent sur l’alignement des compétences individuelles avec les besoins dynamiques du marché du travail. À travers une analyse détaillée, le rapport décrit l’organisation du système de formatio ...

The bilateral relationship between Morocco and India has passed through three distinct phases, culminating in the current stage of strategic partnership. Initially marked by diplomatic formalities and limited engagement, the relationship gradually transitioned into a period of economic and cultural exchange, laying the groundwork for more substantial collaboration. This Policy Paper analyzes the historical trajectory of Morocco-India relations, tracing the development from these ear ...

The African Peace and Security Annual Conference (APSACO) just concluded its 8th edition, serving as a crucial platform for discussing conflict prevention and management in Africa. APSACO has fostered a vibrant community that facilitates dialogue on Africa’s unique challenges and allows for the exchange of innovative ideas on conflict resolution. The Policy Center for the New South (PCNS) is proud to be an active participant in this ecosystem, contributing to key initiatives such as ...

This paper was originally published on t20brasil.org   Geopolitical fragmentation and rising debt have constrained fiscal space in many developing economies, particularly in Africa, limiting investments in critical sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure. Key challenges include the inefficacy of the G20’s Common Framework for debt restructuring, the inequitable allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), and funding shortages for concessional financing thr ...

This Paper was originally published on emerald.com   Purpose Young graduates in Morocco are encountering an increasingly challenging labor market environment. Confronted with intense competition, job insecurity, and unclear career trajectories, many find themselves in low-skilled positions despite possessing relevant qualifications. This issue is particularly pronounced among vocational training graduates, who experience professional downgrading at a rate three times hi ...

This paper was originally published on t20brasil.org   In a global context marked by unprecedented economic and environmental challenges, Africa stands at a crossroads. The rapid rise in public debt, coupled with the climate emergency, imposes a dual constraint on the continent's countries, severely limiting their ability to pursue sustainable development and mitigate the effects of climate change. This critical situation calls for innovative and effective solutions capa ...

Nearly 80 years after the establishment of the United Nations, Africa has yet to be granted a permanent seat on its most powerful organ, the Security Council. This "institutional discrimination" against African countries is both legally indefensible and politically untenable. Moreover, for Western nations seeking legitimacy and adaptation in a changing global geopolitical landscape, excluding 4 states representing over a billion people is strategically disadvantageous. This Policy B ...

Green industrial policies are essential to enable the structural transformations needed for a successful transition to a low-carbon economy. Because of the pressing need to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, it is imperative to reallocate resources strategically from carbon-intensive sectors to sustainable, high-productivity industries. This transition is critical both to mitigate the impacts of climate change and to promote long-term economic growth and sustai ...

Après presque 80 ans de la création de l’Organisation des Nations Unies, l’Afrique n’est toujours pas admise comme membre permanent au sein de son super organe : le Conseil de Sécurité. Cette « discrimination institutionnelle » à l’endroit des pays africains est aujourd’hui juridiquement indéfendable et politiquement insoutenable. Mais, par- dessus tout, une telle mise à l’écart de 54 États représentant plus d’un milliard de personnes est stratégiquement défavorable pour ...

The 2024 Presidential election in the United States will be historic and consequential. Both candidates are history-making in different ways. Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, is the first woman of African and Asian descent to become the Democratic Party’s nominee, while President Trump won his party’s nomination without participating in any Republic Primary debates. Even more strikingly different are their parties’ platforms—what they would do if elected. However, i ...

This Paper was originally published on emerald.com   Purpose This paper examines the dynamics of structural transformation in Morocco since 1970 by analyzing input-output tables expressed in terms of employment and output levels across 24 sectors. Design/methodology/approach This study employs a twofold methodological approach. Firstly, it examines the evolution of sectoral employment shares over time using World Bank data. Secondly, it utilizes Input-Output analysis to ex ...

يُقدر التأثير الإجمالي للزلزال على النمو بحوالي 0.24-% من الناتج المحلي الإجمالي في عام 2023. بسبب التركيز المكاني للزلزال، شهد إقليم الحوز جهة مراكش خسائر في الناتج المحلي الإجمالي الإقليمي بنسبة 10.2-% و1.3-% على التوالي. سيكون لبرنامج الاعمار الذي تبلغ قيمته 120 مليار درهم مغربي تأثيرات إيجابية على النمو الاقتصادي الوطني من عام 2023 إلى 2028، لكن حجمها يبقى رهينا بشكل كبير بالقرار المتعلق بحزمة التمويل، سواء كان من خلال أموال جديدة (دين) أو إعادة تخصيص الاستثمارات من المناطق غي ...

Over the next decade, the energy transition will transform the global economic landscape in terms of regulations, industrial and energy investments, and technological solutions. The African continent is set to play a significant role in this transition while addressing its own sustainable development needs. To fully capitalize on this emerging dynamic, African countries should pursue innovative paths tailored to their specific contexts and constraints. They should also identify stra ...

This opinion was originally published in japanupclose.web-japan.orgIntense diplomatic ballet in AfricaThe past two years have been marked by two important visits: that of Prime Minister Kishida visit to four countries in 2023, and his Minister of Foreign Affairs Yoko visit Yoko to three countries in 2024.Prime Minister Fumio Kishida Visit: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was on an African tour from April 29 to May 5, 2023, visiting four African countries, including E ...

A Global Deluge is Needed The phrase “rural Africa” evokes vivid images of remote communities battling droughts and floods, where wandering elephant herds plunder scarce farmland, and aging lions encroach on villages, preying on dogs, chickens, and occasionally even humans. These once-majestic predators, having lost their teeth, can no longer hunt their natural prey. In these rural villages, survival often means living without running water, enduring what is termed “water stress”. ...

Some of the designs are etched into the desert sand like intricate spiderwebs. Others wind through African jungles like giant serpents, transforming pristine landscapes into conduits of profit, constructed from metal, plastic, and cement. Pipes, endless pipes, stretching for thousands of kilometers, even reaching beneath the sea. Europe’s thirst for oil and gas has intensified, especially since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war—whether that conflict drags on for months or years ...

The global success of Gnaoua music is both a cause for celebration and a food for thought. It highlights the immense potential of music and other creative and cultural activities to generate income and meaningful employment, particularly for youth, while also showcasing the soft power of embedded cultural values. This soft power is evident in the worldwide influence of Black diaspora music. Despite Morocco’s wealth of creative and cultural industries (CCI), their potential for socio ...