Africa’s reliance on foreign suppliers for the continent’s technology infrastructure is widely seen as a major cybersecurity vulnerability. Nate Allen analyzes external actor influence in African technology with a holistic look at Africa's tech stack: africacenter.org/spo...

As enhanced interdiction has pushed Africans toward secondary migration routes, their reliance on smugglers has increased. This has enriched and empowered criminal networks, while heightening risks to migrants’ safety. Learn more: africacenter.org/spo...

The untold story of Niger is that, despite being one of the poorest countries in the world, the country had made real progress under its democratically elected presidents in the decade before the 2023 military coup.

Facts to Know: Community Mediation and Peace in Africa 🧵

Chad's security has suffered from the erosion of regional security architectures. Loss of aerial surveillance and intelligence capabilities when French forces withdrew last year significantly reduced N’Djamena’s operational flexibility in responding to insurgent threats. africacenter.org/spo...

This month's elections in Africa: • Friday, April 10: Djibouti • Sunday, April 12: Benin africacenter.org/spo... ...

Today is the last day of the term of office of Niger's elected President Mohamed Bazoum. www.msn.com/en-us/ne... While Bazoum's fate is unknown, the trajectory of Niger without an elected leader has been unmistakable. africacenter.org/spo...

Conflicts are a major jolt to African economies—resulting in destroyed infrastructure, capital flight, failed businesses, and eliminated jobs—and a major driver of migration. africacenter.org/spo... [Photo: Passengers from Sudan cross into Egypt through the Argeen Land Port. AFP/Khaled Desouki]

Security force responses to societal conflicts are often merely addressing symptoms, not causes. Equipping communities with mediation capacities can reshape the threat landscape by making them less vulnerable to the mobilization to violence. Get the details here: africacenter.org/pub...

La culture du professionnalisme militaire des Forces de défense du Botswana s'est construite de manière systématique autour des valeurs culturelles que sont la démocratie, le service public et la redevabilité. africacenter.org/fr/...

Millions of people are facing crisis-levels of food insecurity, and the main reason isn't weather or the economy, but conflict. Famine has been expanding in Sudan, South Sudan, and Mali, and it is almost entirely a man-made disaster. Learn more: africacenter.org/spo...

Across Africa, Community-based conflict mediation and negotiation training has been shown to reduce violence and distrust. Applying these methods more broadly could reshape the security landscape. Learn more about these methods in our latest Africa Security Brief: africacenter.org/pub...

The war in Sudan is placing mounting pressure on an already fragile Chad. Contrary to its frequent portrayal as a pillar of regional stability, Chad is being shown to be increasingly vulnerable to the destabilizing dynamics coming from its neighbor. africacenter.org/spo...

From our Africa Media Review: A Ugandan journalist has reportedly been abducted in Kampala following a radio appearance—a sign that the heightened intimidation of journalists covering the January Ugandan elections continues in the election's aftermath.

Facts to Know: Chinese SOEs and Market Capture in Africa 🏢 Nearly 1 million state-linked firms China has ~363,000 fully state-owned firms, 629,000 with ≥30% state ownership, and ~867,000 with some state stake—forming the world’s largest state-owned enterprise (SOE) system.

From our Africa Media Review: The UN is warning that fighting in eastern DRC is escalating—with offensive drones now being used in urban areas, increasing risks to civilians. africacenter.org/dai... This reflects a broader shift across Africa:

Since Ibrahim Traoré's September 2022 coup, an army of junta-sponsored influencers have worked hard to present a positive picture of security in Burkina Faso: africacenter.org/spo... 1/2

Conflict and instability are a major driver of African migration. For example, with the deterioration of security in Mali, “many Malians now view irregular migration as a necessity rather than an opportunity.” See more on the causes and patterns of migration in Africa:

Global demand is surging for critical minerals used in defense and aerospace systems, electronic vehicles, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and medical devices. China now controls over half of global critical minerals production and 87% of processing and refining. africacenter.org/spo...

Sudan’s rival military structures are a product of the 30-year autocratic regime of Omar al-Bashir. Involving civilian voices in negotiations are necessary to move past the zero-sum bipolar dynamic that defines the SAF-RSF rivalry.

Open-source reporting and independent analysis suggest that the government of Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno has facilitated support to Sudan's RSF since 2023. This is only increasing Chad's existing (but often ignored) domestic instability. africacenter.org/spo...

To maximize the benefits of external partnerships with Chinese state-owned companies—while reducing risks—a stronger focus on governance and strategic coordination is needed. This starts with enforcing regulation and transparency. See our recent Spotlight for the rest:

Zimbabwe police are intensifying a crackdown on opposition ahead of a vote on a constitutional amendment that critics warn will weaken democratic checks and balances.

Facts to Know: Chinese SOEs and Market Capture in Africa 🏢 Nearly 1 million state-linked firms China has ~363,000 fully state-owned firms, 629,000 with ≥30% state ownership, and ~867,000 with some state stake—forming the world’s largest state-owned enterprise (SOE) system.

Botswana's culture of military professionalism has been systematically constructed around cultural values of democracy, service to the public, and accountability. We spoke with several Botswana officers about this culture of military professionalism emerged. africacenter.org/spo...

Persistent militant Islamist group attacks in northern Benin threaten all of the coastal West Africa. Effective counterinsurgency in northern Benin requires operationalizing a population-centric protection model and ethos embedded within the defense and security forces. africacenter.org/pub...

Chad is not a stable country, and its growing entanglement in Sudan’s civil war is only heightening domestic instability, exposing the country to intensifying regional rivalries and geopolitical competition.

Recent developments point to a sharp intensification in the ambition, coordination, and operational reach of insurgent groups in west Africa. See our Security Brief on upgrading legacy battalion-based formations into effective integrated tactical units. africacenter.org/pub...

China has the largest state-owned enterprise sector in the world, with nearly 867,000 under at least some amount state ownership. SOEs account for roughly 20% of China’s gross domestic product.

Chinese state-owned enterprises are tools of national power. These companies wield significant leverage that can constrain African policy autonomy and priorities. Learn more in our new Spotlight: africacenter.org/spo...

Facts to Know: Chinese SOEs and Market Capture in Africa 🏢 Nearly 1 million state-linked firms China has ~363,000 fully state-owned firms, 629,000 with ≥30% state ownership, and ~867,000 with some state stake—forming the world’s largest state-owned enterprise (SOE) system.

Over the past decade, militant Islamist groups have been linked to more than 150,000 deaths across Africa. We’ve mapped and analyzed 10 years of data to better understand the trends shaping the threat. Watch the explainer and dive deeper into the full analysis here: africacenter.org/spo...

The unprecedented use of violence against opposition supporters and ordinary citizens surrounding Tanzania's elections last fall has ruptured the country's image as an island of stability and an upholder of the rule of law. Here's what you need to know. africacenter.org/spo...

Afin de lutter de manière efficace contre l’insurrection dans le nord du Bénin il faut rendre opérationnel un modèle de protection centré sur la population et ancrer cette éthique au sein des forces de sécurité. africacenter.org/asb...

Ghasia zisizo na kifani dhidi ya wafuasi wa upinzani na raia wa kawaida yameharibu taswira ya Tanzania kama kisiwa cha utulivu na mtetezi wa utawala wa sheria—mgogoro ambao utahitaji upatanishi wa hali ya juu ili kuutatua. africacenter.org/sw/...

The normalization of violence around elections in Uganda follows a pattern in the East African region. Recent years have seen greater levels of cooperation among East African governments in restricting acts of opposition and civil society solidarity. africacenter.org/spo...

تطبيع العنف المصاحب للانتخابات في أوغندا يتوافق مع نمط سائد في منطقة شرق إفريقيا. وشهدت السنوات الأخيرة أيضًا مستويات أعلى من التعاون بين حكومات شرق إفريقيا في تقييد أعمال المعارضة وتضامن المجتمع المدني. africacenter.org/ar/...

Ces dernières années ont également été marquées par une coopération accrue entre les gouvernements d’Afrique de l’Est pour restreindre les actions de l’opposition et la solidarité de la société civile. africacenter.org/fr/...

“At least $2bn has been spent by 11 African governments on Chinese-built surveillance technology that recognises faces and monitors movements” according to a new report. There was “no real evidence” that these systems were effective against crime. www.theguardian.com/...

Transportation projects are a key component of Beijing's dominance over Africa’s critical minerals sector. Chinese firms are embedded at every stage of these corridors—road construction, trucking fleets, rail operations, rolling stock, maintenance, and financing. africacenter.org/spo...

L’élection de 2026 en République du Congo (ce dimanche) devrait déboucher sur un résultat prévisible, le président Denis Sassou-Nguesso cherchant à perpétuer son emprise sur le pouvoir depuis 41 ans dans le troisième plus grand pays exportateur de pétrole d’Afrique.

The Republic of the Congo holds elections this Sunday. 82-year-old President Denis Sassou-Nguesso has ruled for four decades. He appoints all judges, and electoral commission members are appointed by the National Assembly, dominated by his ruling party.

Thread: 5 Facts to Know about Chad and the Sudan War 1.3 million refugees. Chad now hosts roughly 1.3 million Sudanese refugees and returnees, most from Darfur—placing enormous strain on some of the country’s poorest eastern provinces.

Les formations classiques articulées autour du bataillon et conçues pour la guerre conventionnelle et linéaire sont mal adaptées aux menaces des insurgés, plus dispersées et rapides, auxquelles sont confrontés plusieurs pays d’Afrique de l’Ouest.

Chad’s growing entanglement in Sudan’s civil war is heightening domestic instability and exposing the country to intensifying regional rivalries and geopolitical competition. africacenter.org/spo...

Chad’s growing integration into a new alliance of external partners—including the UAE, Russia, Türkiye, and certain Libyan forces, all directly engaged in Sudan’s war—is one of many sources of increasing tension and fragility for the Chadian state. africacenter.org/spo...

Kungiyar mujrimai ta Black Axe na lalata ci gaban tattalin arziki da sake fasalin siyasa a cikin Najeriya tare da zambatan mutane a kasashen waje biliyoyin ta hanyar aikata laifuka ta yanar gizo. africacenter.org/ha/...

Each year, an estimated $88.6 billion is siphoned from the African continent in the form of illicit financial flows (IFFs). This nearly equals the development assistance & foreign direct investment received by Africa. Fighting IFFs requires investment in data infrastructure.

Après le recours sans précédent à la violence contre les partisans de l’opposition et les citoyens ordinaires lors des élections de l'automne dernier, la Tanzanie est confrontée à une crise sans précédent dont la résolution nécessitera des mesures extraordinaires. Voici ce que vous devez savoir.

Chinese policymakers view BRICS Plus as part of an alternative global security and geopolitical architecture. African countries risk deeper entanglement in China’s geopolitical bloc without clear external engagement strategies that define long-term national interests.