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Government

Government

Updated 09/09/2024
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Government

Government

Updated weekly
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Entrepreneurship

Every two weeks
Technology

Technology

Updated 03/06/2020
Government

Government

Twice monthly

12/06/2025

The development sector has changed irrevocably. What comes next?

Catherine Nzuki is joined by Blair Glencorse and Cheri-Leigh Erasmus, co-CEOs of Accountability Lab, to unpack the latest findings from the Global Aid Freeze Tracker. Together, they reflect on the current state of the development sector and explore where the development sector goes from here.

12/06/2025

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28 min
07/11/2024

Trump has won a second term. What does his victory mean for U.S.-Africa policy?

Catherine Nzuki is joined by Mvemba Phezo Dizolele (CSIS Africa Director and Senior Fellow) and Cameron Hudson (Africa Program Senior Fellow) for a discussion on what President-Elect Donald Trump's second term would mean for the U.S. approach to Africa, and how African capitals may be strategizing for his second term.

07/11/2024

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33 min
21/11/2024

A behind-the-scenes tour of Afrobarometer, Africa's leading survey research organization.

Catherine Nzuki is joined by Joseph Asunka, PhD, CEO of Afrobarometer, the leading source of public attitude data in Africa. Together, they discuss Afrobarometer's rise, its meticulous survey research methods, and case studies showcasing the policy impact of its data in Ghana, Malawi, and Botswana. They also discuss the difficulties of conducting surveys in conflict-afflicted or fragile contexts and how Afrobarometer has contributed to the growth of survey research organizations across Africa. Joseph Asunka also highlights how big data could be a changemaker in conducting research in Africa.

21/11/2024

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38 min
10/01/2024

The Key Role of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in Global Development with Priya Vora

In this episode of Building the Future, guest host Romina Bandura is joined by Managing Director of the Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL), Priya Vora, to discuss the role of digital public infrastructure (DPI) in global development and the ways in which the United States can help promote standards of interoperability, financial inclusion, public trust, and good governance both at home and abroad.

10/01/2024

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20 min
19/12/2024

Africa’s bid for two permanent UNSC seats (with Amb. Martin Kimani)

This holiday season, we’re dreaming of a just and representative global order. Catherine Nzuki is joined by Ambassador Martin Kimani, PhD, the Executive Director of New York University’s Center on International Cooperation. He was previously the Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations (UN). In this episode, we take a deep dive into Africa’s bid for two permanent seats on the UN Security Council (UNSC) and the long road to get there. We discuss how long Africa has been pushing for these seats (3:40); the procedure to create the two permanent seats (7:00); why the process of selecting which African state will occupy those seats could cause infighting (15:20); and two scenarios for how these seats could be distributed (19:40). We zoom out to discuss the deficit of visionary contemporary leaders (30:18); the types of reforms that the African Union needs (34:42); Africa’s demographic dividend (36:00); Africa in the G20 (42:30); and finally, reordering global geography in line with Africa’s own interests (45:00).

19/12/2024

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1 hr
07/07/2022

Sahel Pressure on Littoral States

In this edition of Into Africa, Mvemba is joined by Karana Olivier, Côte d'Ivoire Chief of Party for Equal Access International, to discuss the spillover of violent extremism from the Sahel into the littoral states of West Africa— Côte d'Ivoire, Benin, Togo, and Ghana. The two explore government and armed groups’ shared responsibility for unrest, as well as the effects of porous borders in the region, state fragility, and illicit transnational trade.

07/07/2022

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30 min
22/05/2025

Solving Africa’s Housing Deficit

From rapid urbanization to persistent housing shortages, Africa’s cities are facing immense challenges—and emerging opportunities, including innovative mortgage models, government-backed projects, and rising investor interest in sustainable development. In this episode, Mvemba is joined by Thierno-Habib Hann, CEO of Shelter Afrique Development Bank, to explore how innovative finance, strategic partnerships, and public-private collaboration are reshaping the continent’s urban future. Together, they examine the scale of Africa’s housing deficit, the barriers to affordability, and the emerging solutions driving sustainable urban development across the continent.

22/05/2025

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42 min
31/10/2024

Rwanda's Strained Relations with Neighbours

Rwanda has endured a series of destabilizing moments that have shaped its complex history and relations with neighboring countries. Colonial rule set the stage for ethnic divisions that worsened under post-colonial governments, leading to the horrific 1994 Rwandan genocide. Following the genocide, Rwanda's rapid reconstruction transformed it into an economic success story. However, longstanding tensions with its neighbors, fueled by historical grievances and security concerns, continue to disrupt and challenge this image and drive instability and insecurity in the Great Lakes. Today, Rwanda's relations with neighboring countries remain fraught. Friction has led to periodic border closures with Uganda and Burundi, while Rwanda's military presence in eastern DRC has contributed to conflict escalation. Questions persist about how Rwanda and its neighbors can move beyond historical grievances and geopolitical struggles to foster lasting peace in the region. In this episode, Mvemba is joined by retired General James Kabarebe, Rwanda's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Cooperation. General Kabarebe offers an inside perspective on the security challenges Rwanda faces with its neighbors. He addresses Rwanda’s diplomatic and strategic stance, shedding light on the complexities of regional cooperation, and explores ways to navigate the tensions affecting Rwanda and its neighbors. This event is made possible by the generous support of Open Society Foundations.

31/10/2024

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1h 5m
14/11/2024

Internal Challenges: Ghana’s Security Landscape

Ghana has long been viewed internationally as a regional leader in democracy, particularly notable given its challenging neighborhood bordering the Sahel states. Although cross-border security challenges persist, Ghana has not experienced terrorist attacks from al-Qaeda–affiliated JNIM, though its northern region remains vulnerable. Instead, Ghana’s security apparatus faces significant internal challenges, including rising chieftaincy conflicts, illegal mining (galamsey), land use disputes, and citizenship issues in some communities. These factors have led to a decline in public perception of state institutions, especially regarding the police, the electoral commission, and the ruling party. Paul Nana Kwabena Aborampah Mensah, program manager in charge of security sector governance at the Ghana Center for Democratic Development, joins Mvemba less than a month before Ghana’s election. They discuss the state of Ghana’s security institutions, the successes and challenges these institutions face, and the implications for Ghana’s upcoming elections.

14/11/2024

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49 min
02/11/2022

Hong Kong Two Years Later with Olivia Enos

In this episode of Building the Future, Dan Runde is joined by Olivia Enos, the new Washington Director of The Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK). In this podcast, they discuss the CFHK’s work, the ongoing effects of the Chinese-imposed National Security Law (introduced to Hong Kong in 2020), the U.S.-Hong Kong relationship, and how listeners can help political prisoners in Hong Kong.

02/11/2022

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17 min

CSIS podcasts feature experts & scholars on a range of critical issues surrounding geopolitics, national security, defense, & international affairs topics.

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