Into Africa

CSIS
Into Africa

Fearless music activists. Savvy tech entrepreneurs. Social disrupters. Into Africa shatters the narratives that dominate U.S. perceptions of Africa. Host Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, Africa program director and senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington D.C., sits down with policymakers, journalists, academics and other trailblazers in African affairs to shine a spotlight on the faces spearheading cultural, political, and economic change on the continent.

  1. 19 DEC

    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).

    1 hr

  2. 12 DEC

    The Fight Against HIV and Gender-Based Violence

    This December 1st, Project HOPE was among the many organizations commemorating World AIDS Day as well as the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Over two decades, significant progress in HIV control, particularly in Africa, has been achieved through initiatives like President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Since 2003, PEPFAR has enabled over 20 million people to access antiretroviral therapy and prevented 5.5 million HIV-positive births. However, challenges persist in meeting UNAIDS' 95-95-95 targets—ensuring widespread testing, treatment, and viral suppression. Barriers include funding shortages, stigma, and competing health crises like COVID-19. Adolescents, especially girls and young women, face heightened risk due to social vulnerabilities and limited access to youth-friendly services. Mvemba is joined by Dr. Uche Ralph-Opara, Chief Health Officer at Project HOPE, to discuss the progress made and the hurdles that remain in achieving epidemic control. Their conversation highlights innovative approaches to addressing gender inequality and empowering vulnerable populations.

    27 min
  3. Africa spends more on servicing debt than on health care. How did we get here?

    5 DEC

    Africa spends more on servicing debt than on health care. How did we get here?

    According to Debt Justice and Christian Aid, 34 African countries spend more on external debt payments than on health or education. Seriously, how did we get here? Tim Jones (Policy Director at Debt Justice UK) walks us through the causes of Africa's debt crisis, its impact, and how it can be fixed.   Tim is the co-author of the report "Between Life and Debt" by Christian Aid and Debt Justice UK. You can find the report here: https://www.christianaid.org.uk/news/between-life-and-debt.

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

    21 NOV

    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.

    38 min

  5. 14 NOV

    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.

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

    7 NOV

    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.

    33 min

  7. 31 OCT

    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.

    1h 5m
  8. The boomers in Mali getting their news from TikTok

    24 OCT

    The boomers in Mali getting their news from TikTok

    The story of older people in Mali who consume news on TikTok symbolizes the larger trends sweeping through the Sahel. In this episode, Catherine Nzuki is joined by Doussouba Konaté, the Country Director of Accountability Lab Mali. We unpack two of these shifts in the Sahel. First, growing anti-French sentiments in the region has led to language decolonization in Mali, in which a growing number of people would rather receive their news in Bambara, one of Mali’s national languages, over French. Secondly, growing internet access has connected people across Mali and has brought more visibility to the plight of Malians living in conflict-affected areas. However, as social media usage grows, so too does online misinformation and disinformation.

    37 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Fearless music activists. Savvy tech entrepreneurs. Social disrupters. Into Africa shatters the narratives that dominate U.S. perceptions of Africa. Host Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, Africa program director and senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington D.C., sits down with policymakers, journalists, academics and other trailblazers in African affairs to shine a spotlight on the faces spearheading cultural, political, and economic change on the continent.

Information

  • Channel
    CSIS
  • Creator
    CSIS | Center for Strategic and International Studies
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2024
  • Episodes
    154
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2019
  • Show Website
    Into Africa

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