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The African Century

268 commentaries

Africa’s economic rise is a world-changing development, but the sources of its emerging strength – and lingering weaknesses – are little understood. With support from the National Endowment for Democracy, The African Century provides a unique platform for debate about the vital issues shaping African societies.

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  1. How to Transform African Agriculture
    boly1_Giovanni MereghettiUCGUniversal Images Group via Getty Images_agriculture rwanda Giovanni Mereghetti/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

    How to Transform African Agriculture

    Feb 2, 2023 Safia Boly & Omid Kassiri identify four principles that could help governments across the continent boost food security.

  2. The Multilateral Financing Paradox
    arezki14_OLIVIER DOULIERYAFP via Getty Images_imf OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images

    The Multilateral Financing Paradox

    Jan 25, 2023 Rabah Arezki argues that international institutions must lend more to the world’s most vulnerable economies.

  3. Global Education Has Reached a Tipping Point
    akufoaddo1_EDUARDO SOTERASAFP via Getty Images_childrenschoolafrica Eduardo Soteras/AFP via Getty Images

    Global Education Has Reached a Tipping Point

    Jan 24, 2023 Nana Akufo-Addo & Jakaya Kikwete call on the international community to address crisis-level inequalities of access and opportunity.

  4. Egypt’s Economic Crisis Is a Golden Opportunity
    arezki15_ Roger AnisGetty Images_financial crisis egypt Roger Anis/Getty Images

    Egypt’s Economic Crisis Is a Golden Opportunity

    Jan 18, 2023 Rabah Arezki thinks the country’s aid program represents a chance to implement much-needed structural reforms.

  5. A Year of Opportunity for Africa
    signe11_EDUARDO SOTERASAFP via Getty Images_africa EDUARDO SOTERAS/AFP via Getty Images

    A Year of Opportunity for Africa

    Jan 13, 2023 Landry Signé proposes several steps governments across the continent can take to ensure a sustainable future.

  6. Africa’s Climate Crisis Is a Health Crisis
    djibo1_TONY KARUMBAAFP via Getty Images_africamalaria Tony Karumba/AFP via Getty Images

    Africa’s Climate Crisis Is a Health Crisis

    Dec 26, 2022 Yacine Djibo urges global leaders to devote more attention and resources to the link between global warming and disease.

Our Pick

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  1. delong249_guoyaGetty Images_economicpie guoya/Getty Images
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    Utopia or Bust

    J. Bradford DeLong considers our options for both expanding and effectively slicing the proverbial economic pie.
  2. op_anheier13_CHRISTOF STACHEAFP via Getty Images_scholzbaerbockhabecklindner Christof Stache/AFP via Getty Images
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    Germany’s Reckoning

    Helmut K. Anheier

    Germany is now grappling with a host of difficult questions about its place in the world, the nature of its politics, and its most cherished values. For a pacifist society in a new age of conflict and war, everything must change if things are to remain the same.

     traces the contours of the country's debate, triggered by the Ukraine war, about its strategic future.
  3. coyle29_ Frank Rumpenhorstpicture alliance via Getty Images_chatgpt Frank Rumpenhorst/picture alliance via Getty Images
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    Preempting a Generative AI Monopoly

    Diane Coyle urges policymakers to take steps to counter the anti-competitive implications of a rapidly emerging market.
  4. nye238_Kevin DietschGetty Images_biden kishida Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
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    Japan’s Strategic Imperative

    Joseph S. Nye, Jr. sees the country doubling down on its best option for ensuring national security and regional stability.
  5. zhang59_JADE GAOAFP via Getty Images_chinahousing Jade Gao/AFP via Getty Images
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    China’s Savings Conundrum

    Zhang Jun explains why – and how – the country must stimulate household consumption to achieve a robust recovery.
  6. BP inflation hawks China News Service / Contributor via Getty Images
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    The Flight of the Inflation Hawks

    Though the US Federal Reserve’s first interest-rate hike of 2023 is smaller than those that preceded it, policymakers have signaled that more increases are on the way, despite slowing price growth. But there is good reason to doubt the utility – and fear the consequences – of continued rate hikes, on both sides of the Atlantic.

  7. boly1_Giovanni MereghettiUCGUniversal Images Group via Getty Images_agriculture rwanda Giovanni Mereghetti/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
    0

    How to Transform African Agriculture

    Safia Boly & Omid Kassiri identify four principles that could help governments across the continent boost food security.
  8. borrell19_ FADEL SENNAAFP via Getty Images_ukrainewar Fadel Senna/AFP via Getty Images
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    Making Ukrainian Victory Possible

    Josep Borrell explains why continued military support and other forms of assistance remain critical.
  9. zizek13_OLGA MALTSEVAAFP via Getty Image_russian soldier OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP via Getty Images
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    Death or Glory in Russia

    Slavoj Žižek traces the religious and intellectual roots of the Kremlin’s increasingly morbid war propaganda.

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