Into Africa

The growth of Chinese technology in Africa has sounded alarm bells in Washington and other foreign capitals. Beyond security and surveillance risks, what, if any, benefits exist for Africans? Judd Devermont is joined by Chairman Carolyn Bartholomew (U.S. China Economic and Security Review Commission), Bulelani Jili (Harvard University), and Jeremy Goldkorn (SupChina and Sinica Podcast) to unpack the concerns surrounding Chinese involvement in the region’s tech sector, sharing recommendations for the Biden administration. Other topics include the fight for Covid-19 vaccines and ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule’s corruption charges.Background Readings:  The Spread of Surveillance Technology in Africa Stirs Security Concerns - Bulelani Jili  No immediate changes to U.S. China policy under Biden, including tariffs – Jeremy Goldkorn 

What role do musicians play in politics and advocacy, especially during a health crisis? For this special anniversary episode, East Africa’s biggest pop band, Sauti Sol share their thoughts on the music industry’s adaptation to the pandemic, the state of Kenya’s health system, and efforts to remain outspoken about police brutality. Lauren Blanchard (Congressional Research Service) and Damola Durosomo (CSIS) also join Judd Devermont to discuss the state of Sudan’s political transition two years in and Mali’s interim government’s National Transitional Council appointment of musician Salif Keita. Background Reading   Rethinking Crisis Responses in the Sahel – Judd Devermont and Marielle Harris 

Welcome to the third season of the Into Africa podcast. As always, Judd Devermont has an exciting lineup of high-profile guests from around the world joining in to unpack African politics and policy and dig deeper into new topics. There's a lot to look forward to this year: Chinese tech in Africa, vaccine diplomacy, conflict minerals, and the reparation of African artifacts. We also plan to host webinar shows with U.S. universities and African think tanks. See you next week for our special anniversary episode featuring Kenyan afro-pop band, Sauti Sol!

How does multilateral diplomacy transform during a global pandemic? In our season finale, Judd Devermont is joined by Alex Rondos (European Union), Sanusha Naidu (Institute for Global Dialogue), and Susan Page (University of Michigan) to discuss relationship building in a pre- and post-pandemic world. Guests also examine key developments in the conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region, and expectations for the incoming Chair of the African Union, DRC's President Felix Tshisekedi. See you in the New Year for Into Africa's third season. Background Reading: The Battle of Mekelle and Its Implications for Ethiopia - Judd Devermont  Rediscovering America: Why African Leader Tours Benefit U.S. Foreign Policy - Judd Devermont and Catherine Chiang

Covid-19 has accelerated the adoption of digital currency and mobile money platforms in Africa. How can innovations in FinTech lower the barriers to vital remittance flows? Judd Devermont is joined by Yomi Kazeem (Quartz Africa), Alexis Akwagyiram (Reuters), and Deepali Fernandes (IOM) to discuss the tug-of-war between innovation and regulation, high-tech solutions to expanding internet access across the continent, and the Trump Administration's opposition to the first African and first female Director-General of the WTO.Background Readings:  The Trump White House is the last obstacle to a first African leader of the WTO – Yomi Kazeem The WTO DG Race: What Happens Now? – William Alan Reinsch Google is working on delivering super-fast internet in Africa with experimental light beams – Yomi Kazeem The Train is Leaving the Station: The Future of Digital Currency in Sub-Saharan Africa – Judd Devermont & Topaz Mukulu Regulators in Africa's big economies are scrambling to get on top of a spike in cryptocurrency trade – Yomi Kazeem How Bitcoin met the real world in Africa – Alexis Akwagyiram

The long-awaited results of the United States presidential election will shape the future of American democracy and U.S.-Africa policy for years to come. Are there lessons from sub-Saharan Africa that the U.S. should consider as it reflects on its electoral process? Udo Jude Ilo (Open Society Initiative for West Africa), Maria Sarungi Tsehai (#ChangeTanzania), and Jason Stearns (Congo Research Group) join Judd Devermont to discuss the elections, the future of Nigeria's #EndSARS movement, DRC's tumultuous leadership struggle, and the conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region. Background Materials:Race and Diplomacy: How does BLM resonate in Africa? – CSISAfrica Reacts to the U.S. Presidential Election – CSISNigeria: Learning from #EndSARS - A New U.S. Policy Toward Nigeria – Judd Devermont and Matthew T. PageA New Direction for U.S. Foreign Policy in Africa – Jason Stearns and Zachariah MampillyA New U.S. Policy Framework for the African Century – Judd Devermont

The elderly and those living with noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are two populations growing faster in sub-Saharan Africa than elsewhere in the world. What challenges do these vulnerable groups face in the wake of Covid-19 and what opportunities exist for increased private sector engagement? Judd Devermont sits down with Rumbi Chakamba (Journalist), Nik Pereira (Africa Healthcare Network), and Nina Prieur (Prosper Africa) to explore U.S. investment in specialized care, Senegal's exemplary pandemic response, and a massive oil spill in Mauritius. Background Reading:  How Senegal has set the standard on COVID-19 – Rumbi Chakamba  Senegal's quiet COVID success –  Deidre Shesgreen  The Covid-19 Global Response Index – Foreign Policy  The Strategic Significance of Africa’s Smallest Democracies – Judd Devermont   A Wake-up Call: What Covid-19 Reveals about Elderly and NCD Care in Sub-Saharan Africa – Judd Devermont and Marielle Harris  Sisters care for home-based patients and the terminally ill in Botswana – Rumbi Chakamba 

When it comes to election observation, there’s often one rule for the West and another for everybody else. But with a wave of democratic backsliding occurring around the world, now may be the time to disrupt the status quo and reimagine election observation missions. In our eighth episode with African Arguments, Ansbert Ngurumo (Journalist), Nic Cheeseman (University of Birmingham), and Jessica Moody (King’s College London) join Judd Devermont to discuss shifting electoral processes, election safety, and democracy during the Covid-19 pandemic. Guests also unpack the mounting suppression facing opposition parties and assess how this will affect upcoming presidential elections in Tanzania and Côte d'Ivoire.  Background Readings:  Magafuli: An Epitome of Cowardice – Ansbert Ngurumo  How to Rig an Election – Nic Cheeseman and Brian Klaas  Ouattara's out, but whoever wins in Cote d'Ivoire, many won't be happy – Jessica Moody (African Arguments)  How to hold elections safely and uphold democracy during Covid-19 – Nic Cheeseman (The Conversation)  Africa Reacts to the First Presidential Debate and Trump’s Case of Covid-19 – CSIS

Energy development is at the heart of an inclusive African recovery from Covid-19, but how can we supercharge the region's power sector? Todd Moss (Energy for Growth Hub), Rose Mutiso (Energy for Growth Hub; Mawazo Institute), and Kate Steel (Nithio) join host Judd Devermont to discuss the future of Africa's energy sector, South Africa's struggling diplomacy in Zimbabwe, and key challenges facing African think tanks. Background Readings: A post Covid agenda for a 'zombie-free' recovery of Africa's power markets - Rose Mutiso and Todd Moss  Pilot Database: Understanding the RACE metric - Jacob Kincer and Todd Moss  Ted Talk: How to bring affordable, sustainable electricity to Africa - Rose Mutiso  The crisis of African think tanks: Challenges and solutions - Brookings Institution About the Mazawo Institute - Mawazo.org Upcoming:Rose Mutiso's Ted Talk on climate justice and energy (Live on 10/10/2020)

Diplomatic engagement is at an all-time high across Africa. How can multilateral cooperation effectively address challenges such as Covid-19 and regional security? Judd Devermont is joined by Payton Knopf (USIP), Nilanthi Samaranayake (CNA), and Housam Darwisheh (Institute of Developing Economies) to discuss India, Japan, and the Gulf's approach to the continent, the current state of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, and the dispute over the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia. Background Readings: A Strategic Framework to Improve Coronavirus Response in Africa - Judd Devermont and Nilanthi Samaranayake How a Tiny Indian Ocean Island Could Force a US-UK Rift - Nilanthi Samaranayake What’s Ahead for the Horn of Africa in 2020 - Payton Knopf