Africa

List of Africa articles

Evacuees and military personnel board a Royal Air Force aircraft bound for Cyprus in Omdurman, Sudan.
Evacuees and military personnel board a Royal Air Force aircraft bound for Cyprus in Omdurman, Sudan.

America’s Evacuation Efforts in Sudan Stall Out

Private groups want to evacuate hundreds more. The Biden administration wants nothing to do with it.

A Sudanese man and child wheel suitcases as they walk across a paved area toward a low beige building. Other people pass by in the background, including more children and a man in a wheelchair.
A Sudanese man and child wheel suitcases as they walk across a paved area toward a low beige building. Other people pass by in the background, including more children and a man in a wheelchair.

In Sudan, Egypt Faces a Catch-22

But there’s one option for resolving the conflict that just might work.

Riot police disperse protesters with tear gas after the outlawed opposition group, The National Front for the Defense of the Constitution (FNDC), called for protests against the ruling Junta in Conakry on October 20, 2022.
Riot police disperse protesters with tear gas after the outlawed opposition group, The National Front for the Defense of the Constitution (FNDC), called for protests against the ruling Junta in Conakry on October 20, 2022.

Guinea Cracks Down on Protesters

After promising democratic reforms, the junta is attacking the press and opposition.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu stands at the center of a group of guests and security personnel with his fist raised in the air. He is wearing a hat, sunglasses, and a white robe.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu stands at the center of a group of guests and security personnel with his fist raised in the air. He is wearing a hat, sunglasses, and a white robe.

Nigeria’s Last General Departs the Political Stage

Democracy is holding despite social and regional divisions.

A journalist is silhouetted in front of a neon-lighted poster that reads "AI from Africa to the world" at the first AI research center established in Africa by Google in Accra, Ghana.
A journalist is silhouetted in front of a neon-lighted poster that reads "AI from Africa to the world" at the first AI research center established in Africa by Google in Accra, Ghana.

Artificial Intelligence Will Entrench Global Inequality

The debate about regulating AI urgently needs input from the global south.

A silhouette is shown from the back, looking on at a fire.
A silhouette is shown from the back, looking on at a fire.

Why the World’s Deadliest Wars Go Unreported

Too much news is routed through London and New York. The capitals of the global south need to step up.

A Sudanese army armored vehicle is stationed in southern Khartoum.
A Sudanese army armored vehicle is stationed in southern Khartoum.

Sudan’s Failed Cease-Fire

Warring generals look abroad for support as millions remain displaced.

Houses are shown on the edge of deep gouges in the land.
Houses are shown on the edge of deep gouges in the land.

U.S. Apathy Paved the Way for China in Africa

Despite a strong foothold during the Cold War, Washington has since fumbled on the continent.

An undated pencil drawing depicts work on a sugar plantation in the West Indies. Black children are among the laborers working to chop sugar cane under the watchful eye of a suited white overseer wearing a hat.
An undated pencil drawing depicts work on a sugar plantation in the West Indies. Black children are among the laborers working to chop sugar cane under the watchful eye of a suited white overseer wearing a hat.

Sugar as Modern Capitalism’s Original Sin

A new book shows its history as anything but sweet.

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi, Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin greets South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Russia-Africa Summit in Sochi, Russia.

South Africa’s Nonsensical Nonalignment

The ANC has forgotten that the outside world’s principled rejection of neutrality sustained the struggle against apartheid.

Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sergei Lavrov meets with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor during a press conference in Pretoria, South Africa, on Jan. 23.
Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sergei Lavrov meets with South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Naledi Pandor during a press conference in Pretoria, South Africa, on Jan. 23.

A South African Scandal Could Shake up Relations With Washington

Do South Africa’s denials that it supplied weapons to Russia ring true?

Protesters hold a banner reading "Thank you Wagner,"  during a demonstration to celebrate France's announcement to withdraw French troops from Mali, in Bamako, on Feb. 19, 2022.
Protesters hold a banner reading "Thank you Wagner," during a demonstration to celebrate France's announcement to withdraw French troops from Mali, in Bamako, on Feb. 19, 2022.

How Russia Expands Its Influence in Africa

Wagner Group operations, disinformation efforts, and Western double standards are fueling Moscow’s popularity.

Amid ongoing battles, black smoke rises above the international airport in Khartoum, Sudan, on April 20.
Amid ongoing battles, black smoke rises above the international airport in Khartoum, Sudan, on April 20.

The Geopolitics of U.S. Engagement in Sudan

Washington’s Middle Eastern partners can help prevent Sudan from becoming another Libya.

An activist holds a sign depicting rival generals, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who leads the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and Mohamed Hamdan “Hemeti” Dagalo, during a demonstration in front of the White House in Washington on April 29, 2023.
An activist holds a sign depicting rival generals, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who leads the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and Mohamed Hamdan “Hemeti” Dagalo, during a demonstration in front of the White House in Washington on April 29, 2023.

Where the U.S. Went Wrong in Sudan

Khartoum now faces civil war. What does the U.S. have to do with it?

Ones-And-Tooze-podcast-series-1500x1000-site (1)
Ones-And-Tooze-podcast-series-1500x1000-site (1)

Could Green Hydrogen Revolutionize the Energy Sector?

Plus: Looking to travel this summer? Adam and Cameron break down vacationing around Europe on the cheap.

The LNG Ogun, a gas carrier that sails under the Bermuda flag, is pictured behind some wind turbines on a breakwater, leaving the Port of Bilbao bound for the port of Bonny, in Nigeria
The LNG Ogun, a gas carrier that sails under the Bermuda flag, is pictured behind some wind turbines on a breakwater, leaving the Port of Bilbao bound for the port of Bonny, in Nigeria

Finally, Rich Countries Recognize Africa’s Right to Use Gas

Blanket bans on gas finance stifle development, hurt climate goals, and reek of hypocrisy.

A photo collage illustration shows the two warring generals at the center of Sudan's unrest alongside images of U.S. President Joe Biden and the seal of the state department for a story about U.S. diplomacy in Sudan.
A photo collage illustration shows the two warring generals at the center of Sudan's unrest alongside images of U.S. President Joe Biden and the seal of the state department for a story about U.S. diplomacy in Sudan.

How the U.S. Fumbled Sudan’s Hopes for Democracy

The East African country, once a beacon for change, now faces civil war.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris walks with Tanzanian Vice President Philip Mpango in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on March 31.
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris walks with Tanzanian Vice President Philip Mpango in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on March 31.

Washington Should Reconsider Its Economic Gameplan in Africa

China, India, and the Gulf countries have pursued a combination of trade and aid the United States can learn from.

A man passes billboards of Nigerian films at a movie theater in Lagos on Feb. 19, 2019.
A man passes billboards of Nigerian films at a movie theater in Lagos on Feb. 19, 2019.

The Problem With Comparing Africa to Asia

Greater ethnic diversity, debt burdens, and democratized politics have complicated Africa’s path to development.

Load 10 More Articles
Loading graphics

Welcome to a world of insight.

Make the most of FP.

Explore the benefits of your FP subscription. Explore the benefits included in your subscription.

Stay updated on the topics you care about with email alerts. Sign up below. Stay updated on the topics you care about with email alerts. Sign up below.

Choose a few newsletters that interest you. Get more insight in your inbox.

Here are some we think you might like. Update your newsletter preferences.

  • World Brief thumbnail
  • Africa Brief thumbnail
  • Latin America Brief thumbnail
  • China Brief thumbnail
  • South Asia Brief thumbnail
  • Situation Report thumbnail

Keep up with the world without stopping yours. Keep up with the world without stopping yours.

Download the FP mobile app to read anytime, anywhere. Download the new FP mobile app to read anytime, anywhere.

Download on the App Store
  • Read the magazine
  • Save articles (and read offline)
  • Customize your feed
  • Listen to FP podcasts
Download on the Apple App Store
Download on the Google Play Store

Analyze the world’s biggest events. Analyze the world’s biggest events.

Join in-depth conversations and interact with foreign-policy experts with Join in-depth conversations and interact with foreign-policy experts with