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The African Century

267 commentaries

Africa’s economic rise is a world-changing development, but the sources of its emerging strength – and lingering weaknesses – are little understood. With support from the National Endowment for Democracy, The African Century provides a unique platform for debate about the vital issues shaping African societies.

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  1. The Multilateral Financing Paradox
    arezki14_OLIVIER DOULIERYAFP via Getty Images_imf OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images

    The Multilateral Financing Paradox

    Jan 25, 2023 Rabah Arezki argues that international institutions must lend more to the world’s most vulnerable economies.

  2. Global Education Has Reached a Tipping Point
    akufoaddo1_EDUARDO SOTERASAFP via Getty Images_childrenschoolafrica Eduardo Soteras/AFP via Getty Images

    Global Education Has Reached a Tipping Point

    Jan 24, 2023 Nana Akufo-Addo & Jakaya Kikwete call on the international community to address crisis-level inequalities of access and opportunity.

  3. Egypt’s Economic Crisis Is a Golden Opportunity
    arezki15_ Roger AnisGetty Images_financial crisis egypt Roger Anis/Getty Images

    Egypt’s Economic Crisis Is a Golden Opportunity

    Jan 18, 2023 Rabah Arezki thinks the country’s aid program represents a chance to implement much-needed structural reforms.

  4. A Year of Opportunity for Africa
    signe11_EDUARDO SOTERASAFP via Getty Images_africa EDUARDO SOTERAS/AFP via Getty Images

    A Year of Opportunity for Africa

    Jan 13, 2023 Landry Signé proposes several steps governments across the continent can take to ensure a sustainable future.

  5. Africa’s Climate Crisis Is a Health Crisis
    djibo1_TONY KARUMBAAFP via Getty Images_africamalaria Tony Karumba/AFP via Getty Images

    Africa’s Climate Crisis Is a Health Crisis

    Dec 26, 2022 Yacine Djibo urges global leaders to devote more attention and resources to the link between global warming and disease.

  6. Does Africa Deserve Green Aid?
    simons1_ AMIR MAKARAFP via Getty Images_africa carbon AMIR MAKAR/AFP via Getty Images

    Does Africa Deserve Green Aid?

    Dec 13, 2022 Bright Simons argues that Africa would benefit from more, not less, investment in carbon-intensive industries.

Our Pick

Featured

  1. johnson159_Bill O'LearyThe Washington Post via Getty Images_congress ukraine Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post via Getty Images
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    Only the US Congress Can Stop Ukraine from Winning

    Simon Johnson explains why Russia’s best hope now lies with House Republicans’ nonsensical position on the US debt ceiling.
  2. emmott42_TORU YAMANAKAAFP via Getty Image_japannavy Toru Yamanaka/AFP via Getty Images
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    What Japanese Deterrence Would Look Like

    Bill Emmott

    In new strategy documents, Japan’s government has broken new ground with a public commitment to build up the country’s counterstrike and rapid mobilization capabilities. Though executing this task will not be easy, it has become essential to peace in the region.

     explains what it will take to discourage aggression by North Korea, Russia, and especially China.
  3. duran8_ Getty ImagesGetty Images_argentina brazil union Getty Images/Getty Images
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    Getting to Monetary Integration in Latin America

    Camila Villard Duran explains why the vision of a regional unit of account, advanced by Brazil and Argentina, is achievable.
  4. subramanian35_erhui1979Getty Images_speechbubbles erhui1979/Getty Images
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    The Age of Verbiage

    Arvind Subramanian blames today’s nonstop inundation of expert opinion for undermining the quality of public discourse.
  5. haldar17_ FABRICE COFFRINIAFP via Getty Images_davos FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images
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    Davos Man Has a People Problem

    Antara Haldar suspects that the socially “disembedded” economic logic of globalization has gone as far as it can go.
  6. buiter44_ SAUL LOEBAFP via Getty Images_treasury SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images
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    Eliminate the Debt Ceiling

    Willem H. Buiter thinks the US Constitution and common sense argue for a de facto abolition of the cap.
  7. ito23_KAZUHIRO NOGIAFP via Getty Images_japanmilitarysoldiers Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP via Getty Images
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    Japan’s Fiscal Dilemma

    Takatoshi Ito explains why the country’s deficit-financed spending spree endangers its national security.
  8. rogoff233_ Arne Dedertpicture alliance via Getty Images_germanystockmarket Arne Dedert/picture alliance via Getty Images
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    Too Soon for Global Optimism

    Kenneth Rogoff

    It is hard to reconcile the jubilant mood of many business leaders with the uncertainty caused by the war in Ukraine. While there are some positive signs of economic recovery, a sudden escalation could severely destabilize the global economy, cause a stock market crash, and accelerate deglobalization.

     warns that the Ukraine war and economic fragmentation are still jeopardizing world growth prospects.
  9. pisaniferry141_Sean GallupGetty Images)_macronscholz Sean Gallup/Getty Images
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    Why Europe’s Franco-German Engine Is Stalling

    Jean Pisani-Ferry cautions that the two countries' differences are so substantial that a hasty compromise will not suffice.

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