Into Africa

Youth in Kenya have three demands: justice, accountability, and better governance. Over the past two years, “Gen Z” and government critics nationwide have taken to the streets in their thousands to demonstrate their frustrations and anger with the government. In this episode, Chemutai Ruto, a recent graduate of Political Science and Africana Studies, joins Khasai Makhulo, CSIS Africa Program Research Assistant, for a conversation on the ongoing political movements in Kenya. Speaking as two diaspora Kenyan “Gen Z” voices, they explore the pivotal role of women in current movements, how joy fuels resistance, and the ways social media is powering the longevity of the protest.  

Arjun Jain, the UN Refugee Agency’s Representative in Nigeria, joins Catherine Nzuki to discuss the drivers of internal displacement in Nigeria and the daily realities facing displaced communities. They explore how religion and geography shape public perception of the crisis, the capacity of federal and state governments to respond, and the impact of shrinking humanitarian budgets. The conversation also looks at how displacement worsens food insecurity and how UNHCR is supporting innovative agricultural solutions to help internally displaced people access farming land and rebuild their lives.

Chad now hosts 1.8 million displaced people, including 1.2 million Sudanese fleeing one of the world’s deadliest conflicts. With 42 percent of its population living below the poverty line, Chad is struggling to provide basic services like food, water, and healthcare for both locals and refugees. In this episode, Abdouraouf Gnon-Konde, Director of UNHCR’s Regional Bureau for West and Central Africa, explains how the crisis is unfolding at the Chad–Sudan border, why Chad continues to welcome refugees despite limited resources, and how this mass displacement is reshaping the lives of young people in the region.

African content is booming on global streaming platforms. But as the industry shifts to appeal to Afropolitan elites and international audiences, who gets left behind? In this episode, Catherine Nzuki is joined by Dr. Wunpini Fatimata Mohammed, assistant professor in the Department of Communication at Cornell University and the author of Afropolitanizing the local: how cultural imperialism is rewriting the narratives of African entertainment industries. They discuss the rise of New Nollywood, the politics of representation, and what’s lost when African stories are tailored for a global audience. Her forthcoming book, Media, Culture, and Decolonization: Re-righting the Subaltern Histories of Ghana, is available now for preorder from Rutgers University Press.

Africa is undergoing a health funding crisis due to overreliance on external aid and a lack of internal investment from African governments. The healthcare sector is 95 percent dependent on external aid for crucial commodities: vaccines, medication, and diagnostic equipment. Africa saw a 41 percent rise in public health emergencies in 2024, highlighting the vulnerability of the health infrastructure. In response to these challenges, the Africa Center for Disease Control (CDC) released a concept paper titled: Africa’s Health Financing in a New Era. In this concept paper, the Africa CDC introduces innovative financing measures to bridge the funding gap.  Mvemba is joined by Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director-General of the Africa CDC, to discuss the importance of good governance, private sector investment, and strategic planning in strengthening Africa’s domestic resource mobilization.

Catherine Nzuki is joined by Blair Glencorse and Cheri-Leigh Erasmus, co-CEOs of Accountability Lab, to unpack the latest findings from the Global Aid Freeze Tracker. Together, they reflect on the current state of the development sector and explore where the development sector goes from here. 

Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra State and 2023 Nigerian presidential candidate, discusses the vital role of character in leadership. He argues that integrity, competence, and compassion are essential for restoring public trust in governance. Obi emphasizes the need for political reforms to support Nigeria's youth and combat high unemployment through entrepreneurship. He advocates for investing in education and health to build a sustainable future and discusses the lasting effects of colonialism on Africa’s leadership dynamics.

Catherine Nzuki is joined by Cameron Hudson, Senior Fellow with the CSIS Africa Program. He unpacks the immediate causes of the war, the growing number of regional actors involved in the war, how the entry of foreign actors is changing the dynamics of the conflict, and the unique role the U.S. can play in mediating a peace process. Cameron Hudson's testimony to the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa can be found here.

From rapid urbanization to persistent housing shortages, Africa’s cities are facing immense challenges—and emerging opportunities, including innovative mortgage models, government-backed projects, and rising investor interest in sustainable development. In this episode, Mvemba is joined by Thierno-Habib Hann, CEO of Shelter Afrique Development Bank, to explore how innovative finance, strategic partnerships, and public-private collaboration are reshaping the continent’s urban future. Together, they examine the scale of Africa’s housing deficit, the barriers to affordability, and the emerging solutions driving sustainable urban development across the continent.

Dr. Daniel Cash, an Associate Professor in Law at Aston University and UN fellow, dives into the biases of major credit rating agencies against Africa. He explains the urgent need for the Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA) and its potential to reshape perceptions of African economies. The discussion highlights how credit ratings impact young people's futures, the limitations of GDP measurements, and the importance of a unique ratings perspective that reflects Africa's realities. Cash argues for institutional support to enhance Africa's financial standing globally.