Opinions

Ethiopia’s commencement of trading under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) marks a historic step for the Horn of Africa nation—and a significant boost for Africa’s collective drive toward economic integration, industrialization, and inclusive growth. Ethiopia has long been an active participant in shaping international institutions that govern political,…

With vast solar resources and a rapidly growing population, Africa has the potential for a green and inclusive transition—but realizing it requires closing a $2.8 trillion financing gap through greater international support for African-led initiatives. The postwar global development system has been dramatically altered – a source of conversation and…

Africa’s path to true development requires reimagining a multilateral order that replaces extractive, profit-driven systems with one grounded in care, equity, and collective dignity. As summer has drawn to a close in the northern hemisphere, the Global South’s brief respite from United Nations meetings and international conferences has also ended.…

A recent project connecting thousands of Nigerian homes and businesses to solar power shows how modest investments can drive transformative clean energy gains across the developing world—success made possible through public, private, and philanthropic partners working toward a shared goal. In Kiguna, a rural community in Nigeria, the fish trader…

Proven, sustainable, and inclusive, distributed renewable energy is lighting up Malawi’s path to growth—unlocking opportunities for education, enterprise, and a model for rural nations across the Global South. Like many African countries, Malawi faces significant energy-access challenges. In 2024, just 26% of the population had regular access to electricity – 11.3% via…

Trump’s tariffs threaten African exports and stability, underscoring the need for collective bargaining with the US and stronger ties with emerging powers.  US President Donald Trump’s misnamed “reciprocal” tariffs represent a major shift in American trade policy, replacing the multilateral approach that has guided US strategy for decades with a…

Africa’s green mineral wealth is key to global decarbonization, but to avoid unequal terms and limited value addition, a U.S.-Africa supply chain must ensure both climate goals and the continent’s prosperity, dignity, and sovereignty. Introduction The global transition to cleaner energy is triggering a seismic shift in mineral geopolitics. Critical…

As the global order shifts, Africa risks being cast as a guest at its own table when summits are held in foreign capitals—turning partnership from equality into ritualized dependence. Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan walks to the lectern to deliver her speech at the opening ceremony of the ninth Forum…

Reducing poverty drives growth, resilience, and stability, and even in times of economic strain, governments must prioritize smart, cost-effective investments in human capital and infrastructure to secure long-term development. Faced with a slowing global economy and rising debts, many developing-country governments may be tempted to scale back anti-poverty programs. That…

Although global hunger declined last year, undernourishment rose in Africa—a trend policymakers can reverse by boosting agricultural productivity through soil restoration, innovation, and human capital investment. According to The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2025, a report recently released by the five leading United Nations agencies working…