In January 2017, the African Union noticed that its servers were unusually busy for two hours overnight, when the offices were empty. An investigation would uncover that the AU's confidential data was being siphoned off every night and sent more than 8,000km away, to Shanghai. 1/4

Islamist violence in the Sahel is not uniform, there are simultaneously areas of expansion, plateau, and modest reduction. Our Spotlight examines these trends to better understand the varying focal points, actors, and objectives of the groups driving the violence.

African debates on Chinese-built or operated port infrastructure tend to focus on the impact on advancing economic output. These discussions rarely address the sovereignty or security dimensions of these port developments.

Gulf states and Turkey have become increasingly intertwined with the economies, port operations, politics, and security forces of East Africa. Our Spotlight breaks it down by project: africacenter.org/spo...

The Chinese-led BRICS naval exercises held in 2026 should be understood as part of a systemic effort to expand Beijing’s military presence on the continent while bringing African countries within China’s global security frameworks.

How can African governments and civil society actors help level the playing field so that reputable, rules-based mining firms can be competitive in Africa’s mining sector? “Foreign firms will play by the rules if local actors respect their own laws …” africacenter.org/spo...

As Africa’s conflicts become more regionalized, forcibly displaced populations increasingly face the predicament of fleeing into neighboring countries also experiencing conflict.

China dominates Africa’s infrastructure sector: Chinese companies are building 1 in 3 major infrastructure projects in Africa, and financing 1 in 5. Much of this is connecting to mining, with transportation projects connecting mines to port access. africacenter.org/spo...

Uganda's 2026 election process has been characterized by intimidation and violence. Hundreds of opposition supporters have been detained, and opposition rallies face active disruption—roadblocks, arbitrary arrests, tear gassing, water cannons. africacenter.org/spo... 1/2

Gulf state actors are expanding their engagements in critical infrastructure, ports, and the security sector in East Africa as they seek opportunities and compete for influence—reshaping the investment and political contours of the region.

Youth are front and center this year in every election in Africa, the world’s youngest continent—wanting to be heard and demanding more transparency, fairness, and responsiveness to citizens from Africa’s electoral processes.

Iran’s participation in a BRICS-Plus naval exercise last month was a first. While BRICS was originally conceived of as an economic bloc, China has been driving its increasing militarization and expansion. (Photo: Iranian vessel IRIS Makran near Cape Town, Jan 8, 2026) africacenter.org/spo...

En Afrique, les conflits non résolus sont à l’origine d’une insécurité alimentaire aiguë.

Effective counterinsurgency in northern Benin requires operationalizing a population-centric protection model and ethos embedded within the defense and security forces. See our new Africa Security Brief for more: africacenter.org/pub...

January's “Will for Peace,” a 9-day Chinese-led BRICS Plus naval exercise, underscored China’s growing use of military power in Africa to advance its geostrategic objectives, and the attempt to normalize military cooperation within BRICS Plus, without formally declaring a military alliance 1/2

China has conducted 80–100 joint drills with Russia since 2003, and participated in roughly a dozen exercises with Russia & Iran and 3 with Russia & South Africa since 2019. (Photo: Naval vessels from China, Russia, Iran, and South Africa, January 2026) 1/3

Every January since 1991, China's Minister of Foreign Affairs has started the year with a trip to Africa. This year's trip was Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi's 63rd since 2013. Our Spotlight looks at his 5-point agenda and what it means for China–Africa relations:

China controls up to 98% of the global market for sodium-ion and lithium-ion phosphate batteries. There is an assumption that as China moves up the value chain, it will outsource manufacturing to emerging economies, but this has not happened. Learn more: africacenter.org/spo...

The military junta in Burkina Faso is transitioning further away from democratic rule as it dissolves all political parties, and transfers all their assets to itself. www.msn.com/en-us/ne... 1/2

China has gained a dominant position in Africa’s critical minerals sector through long-term investments in mining and refining capacity—factors that make it challenging for African countries to advance up the value chain.

Militant Islamist insurgencies expanding south from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger are increasingly threatening coastal West Africa. Benin has been hardest hit, recording an estimated 575 fatalities linked to these groups in the past year.

Countering militants does not require overwhelming troop numbers, but rather information superiority, rapid mobility, and institutionalized learning. Our Security Brief looks at how this can be achieved in one coastal West African state. africacenter.org/publication/...

As a result of the rapid deterioration of security in the Sahel and recent advanced by al Shabaab in Somalia, the two regions have now seen more fatalities linked to militant Islamist groups over the past decade than any other region. africacenter.org/spotlight/en...

𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮'𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 Africa will hold 11 presidential elections in 2026, with important security implications for the continent. Our preview unpacks key themes and dynamics in each: africacenter.org/spotlight/en...

Africa's relationship with China is shifting from a focus on aid and infrastructure toward a more balanced partnership. Our interview with Ambassador Fred Ngoga unpacks African perspectives and strategic trade-offs in Africa-China relations in 2026. africacenter.org/spo...

African countries seek to rebalance their ties with China toward debt sustainability, value addition, and industrialization to move toward a more equal and transparent partnership that prioritizes long-term African development.

Africa’s reliance on foreign suppliers for the continent’s technology infrastructure is widely seen as a major cybersecurity vulnerability. This spotlight looks at how Africans can reap benefits from externally supplied technology while safeguarding critical infrastructure.

From today's Africa Media Review: "A senior member of the Ugandan opposition told AFP on Friday that security forces stormed his home the previous day as the country held elections, shooting dead 10 members of his campaign team." africacenter.org/dai... 1/2

One key issue to watch after Uganda's polls close is transparency in counting. In 2021, the Electoral Commission announced results by region instead of by polling station as required by law, limiting independent validation and damaging popular trust.

Uganda’s electoral landscape is dominated by a young electorate seeking economic and democratic reforms. Roughly 33 million of Uganda’s 46 million citizens are under 30, and while overall unemployment is about 12.6%; youth unemployment is around 43%. africacenter.org/spo...

This Thursday, January 15, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni is seeking his seventh term in office in the first presidential election of Africa’s 2026 calendar. The election is in many ways a microcosm of the crosscurrents shaping the political space in Africa.

African governments have long used the pretext of security to restrict digital communications and citizens’ rights. But digital repression, in addition to being harmful, has proved ineffective in addressing the continent’s security challenges.

Africa’s 2026 elections must navigate a diverse array of complexities from conflicts to entrenched incumbents, growing youth restlessness, and external actor influences for citizens to be heard. Read about them all here: africacenter.org/spo...

Al Shabaab poses a serious threat of taking Mogadishu—largely due to a breakdown in political cooperation between federal and state authorities. Our latest Africa Security Brief breaks down the situation and looks at paths forward: africacenter.org/pub...

China has gained a dominant position in Africa’s critical minerals sector through long-term investments in mining and refining capacity—factors that make it challenging for African countries to advance up the value chain.

Ne commencez pas l'année 2026 sans une solide compréhension des principales tendances sécuritaires en Afrique. Voici 23 graphiques qui illustrent les conflits régionalisés, les prises de pouvoir, les interventions extérieures, les pressions démographiques et bien plus encore: africacenter.org/fr/...

Africa’s 2026 election calendar kicks off next week in Uganda. Despite intimidation and violence, opponents continue to contest presidential and legislative races, channeling popular demands for more jobs, freedoms, and transparency.

La Chine a acquis une position dominante dans le secteur des minéraux critiques en Afrique grâce à des investissements à long terme dans les capacités d'extraction et de raffinage, ce qui rend difficile pour les pays africains de progresser dans la chaîne de valeur.

Ten African Security Trends from 2025 in Graphics #10: The African Union made significant partial progress on its Agenda 2063 for an integrated, prosperous, democratic, and secure Africa. africacenter.org/spo...

Malgré un niveau élevé d’intimidation et de violence, les candidats de l’opposition ougandaise continuent de se présenter aux élections, relayant les revendications de la jeunesse ougandaise qui réclame davantage d’emplois, de libertés et de transparence.

Ten African Security Trends from 2025 in Graphics #9: Africa is the world’s fastest urbanizing region. Its rate of urban expansion is unprecedented in human history, and portends fundamental shifts in security requirements. africacenter.org/spo...

La résistance persistante au partage du pouvoir entre le gouvernement fédéral et les gouvernements régionaux de Somalie a conduit Al-Shabaab au bord du précipice, prêt à prendre Mogadiscio et à aggraver la menace des djihadistes internationaux. africacenter.org/fr/...

Uhusiano maalum wa Afrika na India unatoa msingi wa ushirikiano wenye manufaa na endelevu unaojengwa juu ya uwakala wa Afrika na kujenga uwezo.

Malgré un niveau élevé d’intimidation et de violence, les candidats de l’opposition ougandaise continuent de se présenter aux élections, relayant les revendications de la jeunesse ougandaise qui réclame davantage d’emplois, de libertés et de transparence. africacenter.org/fr/...

Ten African Security Trends from 2025 in Graphics #8: The proliferation of drones is reshaping the battlespace in Africa’s armed conflicts. Drones effectively provide the capabilities of a small air force, dramatically expanding the reach of armed combatants. africacenter.org/spo...

Ten African Security Trends from 2025 in Graphics #7 Nigeria faced a diverse array of security threats in 2025, including kidnappings for ransom, Islamist violence, farmer-herder violence, a separatist movement, and piracy. africacenter.org/spo...

Ten African Security Trends from 2025 in Graphics #6 The DRC crisis is complex, with contentious issues surrounding regional rivalries, natural resources, nationality and citizenship, government legitimacy, use of mercenaries, and predatory behavior by the armed forces. africacenter.org/spo...

An estimated 45.7 million Africans are forcibly displaced—refugees, internally displaced, or asylum seekers. 3% of them have left the continent. The rest—97%—have sought refuge somewhere in Africa. This graph shows where. africacenter.org/spo...

Militaries can launch operations in days with forces that are already trained, equipped, and supplied. But civilian actors typically require longer notice to build capacity and infrastructure and train staff, particularly if they also must obtain funding and supplies.

Agenda 2063 is anchored in the aspiration to craft “The Africa We Want,” a peaceful, prosperous, integrated, people-driven, and globally influential continent. Significant strides have been made in translating vision into practice, even while significant work remains. africacenter.org/spo...