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What does it mean today to speak of Africa’s place in the world, as the continent moves from the margins of global transformation to the center of its tensions, negotiations, and reconfigurations?

 

Across this edition, we try to bring forward a common thread: Africa is not simply “rising” within a stable global order, it is evolving within a system that is itself fragmented, contested, and being redefined. From its positioning at the core of the Global South to its growing strategic relevance in critical domains such as energy, infrastructure, security, and demographics, Africa is both shaped by and actively shaping global dynamics.

 

Yet this repositioning is neither linear nor unified. As highlighted throughout, Africa embodies both the potential and the limits of collective agency within the Global South. Internal fragmentation, uneven institutional capacity, and diverging national trajectories continue to constrain its ability to fully translate strategic importance into coordinated influence. The continent thus reflects a broader paradox: increasing centrality without commensurate cohesion.

 

At the same time, Africa’s transformation is not only material, but also epistemic. The question of who defines Africa, through which narratives, and for what purposes runs across this issue. Efforts to reclaim narrative ownership, driven by intellectual communities, policy institutions, and younger generations—signal the gradual emergence of an African epistemic power. Still in formation, this struggle over meaning is as strategic as competition over resources or markets.

 

Geography, in this context, is re-emerging as a decisive lever. Whether through the rise of Atlantic Africa as a development corridor, the strategic repositioning of Sahelian alliances, or the long-term consolidation of Morocco as a geo-economic pivot, spatial dynamics are increasingly mobilized as instruments of power, resilience, and projection.

 

Externally, Africa’s partnerships are diversifying across a more competitive and fluid geopolitical landscape. Engagements with Gulf countries, China, the United States, Brazil, and other actors illustrate a shift away from singular dependency toward a complex web of strategic relationships. However, these evolving partnerships remain asymmetrical, raising a central question: how can African states convert external interest into negotiated advantage while preserving autonomy?

 

Governance and political transformation also remain critical arenas of change. From debates on electoral integrity and the role of artificial intelligence in democratic processes, to broader reflections on governance as a tool for conflict prevention, Africa’s institutional future is being reshaped in real time, under pressure from both technological disruption and persistent security challenges.

 

This edition underscores that Africa’s trajectory cannot be reduced to a single horizon. Whether through emerging cooperation frameworks, maritime strategy, or evolving peace and security architectures, the continent’s future is defined by the coexistence of multiple, sometimes competing pathways. The question, then, is no longer if Africa is ‘’emerging’’ or ‘’catching-up’’ the rest of the world, but how it is navigating power, producing its own narratives, and constructing strategic pathways within an increasingly uncertain world.

POWER, NARRATIVES, AND STRATEGIC PATHWAYS

Africa: The Center of The Global South

 

Hung Q. Tran

 

Africa is increasingly positioned at the center of the Global South within a shifting geopolitical and economic order shaped by competition and calls for institutional reform. Its development challenges, ambitions, and efforts to reshape global financial and economic structures reflect the broader agenda of the Global South. At the same time, Africa’s internal divisions highlight the lack of cohesion that continues to limit collective influence among developing countries. As such, Africa both embodies and conditions the trajectory of the Global South, serving as a key reference point for assessing its capacity to translate fragmentation into effective global agency... Read more

 

 

Africa’s Power Pivot: Strategic Ascent in a Fractured World

 

Ferid Belhaj

 

Africa’s strategic relevance is rising in a fractured global order, not as a result of external benevolence but due to structural shifts that make the continent indispensable in areas such as critical minerals, digital infrastructure, climate, and demographics. However, this growing visibility does not automatically translate into power. The central challenge lies in transforming presence into bargaining leverage through stronger institutions, coordinated diplomacy, and reduced dependency on external actors... Read more

 

(FR) Africa and Epistemic Power: The Challenge of Owning Its Own Narrative

 

Abdelhak Bassou

 

The essay on Africa and epistemic power highlights the historical domination of narratives about the continent, long shaped externally and focused more on its shortcomings than its potential. Despite the rise of new global powers, external discourses remain largely self-interested, continuing patterns of narrative dependency. In response, African societies, particularly younger generations and intellectual actors are increasingly recognizing the need to reclaim and produce their own narratives. This shift, driven by think tanks, research institutions, and media, signals the gradual emergence of an African epistemic power, still fragile but progressively consolidating... Read more

 

 

Atlantic Africa: A Strategic Driver for Continental Development

 

Mounia Boucetta

 

Africa's development depends on the mobilization of catalytic levers capable of accelerating growth momentum, with wider benefits for the African people. The digital, energy and demographic transitions are all major challenges, but at the same time they present the continent with new opportunities for transformation. In this context, Atlantic Africa appears to be a strategic and promising area, thanks to the richness and diversity of its natural resources, its geographical position and the growing interest it is arousing among various international players... Read more

 

 

(FR) The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) External Alliances: An Alternative to the ‘’Western Order’’?

 

Nezha Alaoui M’hammdi, Larabi Jaïdi

 

The reconfiguration of the AES’s external alliances reflects a strategic shift away from traditional Western-led security frameworks in the Sahel, which have shown limits in addressing jihadist threats and have often relied on external dependency. In response, the Sahel states are seeking to build an “integrated security sovereignty” while diversifying their partnerships, notably with Russia, China, and emerging platforms such as BRICS+, alongside renewed engagement with Maghreb countries... Read more

 

 

(FR) Morocco as a Regional Geo-Economic Pivot

 

Rachid El Houdaigui

 

The regional geo-economic pivot is not a narrative, but a state survival strategy rather than an ambition of regional domination. If current dynamics persist and strategic balances are maintained, Morocco’s consolidation as a pivot state could reasonably be expected around the 2040–2050 horizon. This timeline coincides with the full operational maturity of major ongoing infrastructure and energy projects. The trajectory reflects a long-term structural transformation rather than a short-term geopolitical repositioning... Read more

 

 

ELECTIONS AND DEMOCRACY IN AFRICA

Watch the sessions of the 3rd Dialogue-Seminar on Elections and Democracy in Africa, jointly organized by the African Union’s Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (AU PAPS) and the Policy Center for the New South (PCNS), under the theme “Digitalizing Democracy: Youth-Driven AI Strategies in a Changing World.” The seminar offers key insights into how Africa can harness AI to strengthen transparency, civic engagement, and electoral integrity.

 

Defending the Truth: Deepfakes, Misinformation & Social Cohesion

 

Analyzing the impact of generative AI and deepfakes on public trust, hate speech, and continental security... Watch

AI for Civic Engagement: Youth-Led Innovation & Advocacy

 

Showcasing how youth use AI for policy advocacy, political literacy, and holding governments accountable daily... Watch

Integrity & Governance: AI in the Electoral Cycle

 

Ensuring algorithmic transparency, data privacy, and protecting the "will of the people" from digital interference... Watch

Architecting the Future: Ethical AI Frameworks & The Rabat Action Plan

 

Towards drafting a continental strategy that protects democratic norms without stifling African tech growth.... Watch

AFRICAFÉ: PARTNERSHIPS AND FOREIGN INFLUENCE

The Evolving Partnership of Gulf-African Countries

 

Gulf countries are increasingly shaping Africa’s political and economic landscape through investments in infrastructure, energy, and strategic sectors. Their flexible, capital-driven approach and strong political ties distinguish them from traditional partners. While creating opportunities, these relations remain asymmetrical, requiring stronger governance and strategic positioning from African countries... Watch

 

 

China’s African Playbook: Rethinking Presence and Partnership

 

In this episode of Africafé, the discussion explores the evolving dynamics of China–Africa relations, highlighting their strategic, economic, and political dimensions. Featuring Dr. Ana Cristina Alves, the conversation unpacks how this partnership has shifted over time, from resource-driven engagement to a more complex and pragmatic relationship shaped by mutual interests and global power structures... Watch

 

 

U.S. Influence in Africa

 

This episode explores the evolving dynamics of US-Africa relations, tracing their historical shifts from Cold War and War on Terror engagements to today’s focus on trade, investment, and strategic partnerships. Dr. Ian Lesser highlights how Africa’s role in US foreign policy, while not a top priority, is increasingly shaped by commercial interests, resource competition (especially with China), and a move away from traditional aid toward private-sector-driven initiatives... Watch

 

 

Africa - Brazil's Relationship

 

This episode examines Brazil-Africa relations: historical ties shaped by the slave trade and diaspora, Lula’s trade expansion, and competition with China/EU. It explores South-South diplomacy’s potential to reshape global institutions, the role of “South Atlanticism,” and future cooperation opportunities and limits. How can these partnerships redefine post-Cold War dynamics?... Watch

 

 

DIALOGUES

African Maritime Symposium (AMS) - 3rd Edition

 

Join the 3rd African Maritime Symposium to explore Africa’s maritime spaces in a context of rising geopolitical tensions and global uncertainty. It will examine security, economic, and governance challenges shaping the continent’s oceans and coasts. The symposium brings together experts to discuss sustainable blue economy development and regional coordination. It aims to strengthen African maritime strategies and enhance the continent’s role in global ocean governance... Register

 

 

African Peace and Security Annual Conference (APSACO) - 10th Edition

 

The African Peace and Security Annual Conference (APSACO) 2026 will connect short-term security developments with longer-term strategic trajectories. Discussions will focus on identifying the patterns and constraints shaping Africa’s security transition, with particular attention to the normalization of instability and military intervention, the entrenchment of asymmetric violence, the adaptation of peace operations and regional security architectures, and the impact of shifting external partnerships and technological change on power, sovereignty, and the use of force... More information

 

 

WEBINAR

Building the Afri-LAC Agenda: Green Industrial Policy in a Changing World

 

This webinar will explore how Africa and Latin America & the Caribbean can jointly advance a green industrial policy agenda in a global context marked by institutional fragmentation and rising uncertainty. It will highlight how recent shifts in trade, climate, and industrial policies are constraining policy space while also opening new opportunities for transformation. Against this backdrop, Afri–LAC cooperation is presented as a growing pathway for strengthening South–South ties and collective agency... Register

 

 

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