Politics

Taxing Africa’s informal economies: technology’s promise and pitfalls

Abel Gwaindepi, Danish Institute for International Studies Changes in the development finance world – especially the sharp drop in foreign aid and fewer cheap loans for low-income countries – have pushed taxation back into...

Uganda and the DRC conflict: the interests driving Kampala’s involvement

Kristof Titeca, University of Antwerp - The ambiguous and often tumultuous relations between Uganda and neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have made headlines in recent months. In a July 2024 report, the...

Africa’s Human Development Push Faces Complex Challenges

African governments increasingly prioritize human development as a cornerstone of economic transformation, yet the continent continues to grapple with persistent gaps in education, healthcare, and social protection systems. The interplay between demographic pressures, resource constraints, and institutional capacity shapes the trajectory of social policy across diverse national contexts. Education Systems Under Strain Sub-Saharan Africa confronts the world's largest education access deficit, with millions of children remaining out of school despite constitutional guarantees of free primary education in most countries. The challenge extends beyond enrollment figures to encompass quality concerns, teacher shortages, and inadequate infrastructure that limit learning outcomes across the region. Higher education expansion represents both an opportunity and a burden for...

LGBTQ+ Advocates Navigate Complex Political Terrain

African civil rights movements continue reshaping the continent's approach to sexual orientation and gender identity legislation, with advocacy groups developing sophisticated strategies to engage conservative lawmakers. The evolving dialogue between progressive activists and traditional political structures demonstrates how social change unfolds across diverse African societies, creating new pathways for inclusive governance while respecting cultural complexities.

Security in the Sahel – Can Benin Shield Itself from the Jihadist Threat?

Benin’s Security in the Face of the Jihadist Threat in the Sahel As the jihadist threat rises with greater intensity in the Sahel region, questions are being raised on how a country such as Benin, celebrated for its relative safety, can...

Benin’s Digital Transformation: Technology Reshaping a West African Economy

In the humid air of Cotonou’s bustling streets, the sound of commerce is no longer just the clink of coins or the murmur of market stalls. Mobile phones glow in the hands of traders, farmers, and students alike, signaling a quiet but profound transformation. Benin, a nation of roughly 13 million, is embracing a digital revolution that is reshaping its economy, opening new paths...

Freedom for Chagos islands: UK’s deal with Mauritius will be a win for all

Peter Harris, Colorado State University - Britain is close to resolving its territorial dispute with Mauritius over the Chagos Archipelago, located in the central...

The European Union and South Africa take their partnership forward during a summit in Cape Town

Brussels - President von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa were in Cape Town, where they met South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa for the EU-South Africa Summit. The summit marked a significant step forward in the strategic partnership between the two partners with the launch of a new a Clean Trade and Investment Partnership, and an ambitious investment initiative under Global Gateway worth €4.7 billion. The newly-announced Global Gateway Investment Package will support notably the goals of the Just Energy Transition Partnership, the initiative launched in 2022 between South Africa, France, Germany, the UK, the US, and the EU to accelerate the decarbonisation of South Africa's economy. The focus...

Jomo Kenyatta, father of the nation? Kenya’s first president built up a myth which masked his faults

Stephen Mutie, Kenyatta University - Kenya’s legacy as a state is deeply intertwined with Jomo Kenyatta’s influence on the nation. Kenya’s founding president died...

Violence in South Sudan is rising again: what’s different this time, and how to avoid civil war

Jan Pospisil, Coventry University - A rise in political tensions in South Sudan and an escalation of violence in the Upper Nile State have raised fears of a return to civil war in...

Angola Transforms Youth Employment Through Innovation Hubs

Angola's innovative approach to youth employment has gained momentum through the establishment of technology incubators and comprehensive skills development programs across the country. These initiatives represent a significant shift toward preparing young Angolans for the modern economy while fostering entrepreneurship and innovation.

Revolutionary rap: Nigerian star Falz has kept protest music alive

Paul Onanuga, Federal University, Oye Ekiti Nigerian rapper, actor and social media star Falz released his sixth studio album, The Feast, in 2025. Few Nigerian popular musicians have shown as much versatility and staying power...

South Africa’s coalition government is crumbling: why collapse would carry a heavy cost

Vinothan Naidoo, University of Cape Town and Brian Levy, Johns Hopkins University South Africa’s multi-party government of national unity (GNU), which emerged in the wake of the May 2024 elections, marked a turning point...

Algeria at the Crossroads of Regional Security

By Sally Barenger In the shifting sands of North Africa, Algeria stands as both sentinel and mediator. The largest country on the continent, it occupies a strategic position that places it at the...