Debating Ideas
-
Africa’s AI Governance Gap: Why National Strategies Must Move Beyond Adoption to Execution
In February 2026, the Ghana Revenue Authority deployed Publican AI at Tema Port —software that analyses import declarations, benchmarks values against global trade databases, ... -
The Untold Story of the Battle of Adowa: How Anti-imperialism can be rebuilt from the ground up
I. Magdala The mountainside fortress is called Magdala. It is perched above the Ethiopian highlands, a stone fist raised against the sky. In its ... -
African Multilateralism from a Vision to a Reality: Lessons from the Most Hostile Continent on Earth
For twenty years I have worked strengthening African governance and multilateral institutions. Across each sector – security, economic development, education reform and humanitarian aid ... -
The death of KOKO Networks: a post-mortem of a biofuel startup and the rise of carbon economies in Africa
What does the much-publicised rise and sudden death of a firm that boasted friends in Silicon Valley and Washington DC tell us about the ... -
The going away of silence: A tribute to Ngugi
One year after his passing, how should we remember Ngugi? 1. The early years At first, it was just enough to write. Because the ... -
The Dangote Refinery and the End of Africa’s Engineered Dependency
For decades, Africa’s place in the global oil economy was not merely subordinate; it was designed to be so. Crude flowed out. Refined fuel ... -
AI and the New Machinery of African Repression
Artificial intelligence is lowering the cost of authoritarian control in Africa. The danger is not only mass surveillance, but a state that can abort ... -
Libya’s Electoral Mirage: The Illusion of American Optimism
As international diplomatic efforts intensify in attempts to overcome Libya’s prolonged political deadlock, a renewed US approach has emerged, marked by a noticeable tone ... -
The Pagak Pivot: South Sudan’s Strategic Realignment and the Transformation of Nile Basin Politics
On May 9, 2026, the Sudanese newspaper Al-Sayha first broke the exclusive report alleging that Juba had issued an ‘urgent’ directive ordering the termination ... -
Rethinking South Sudan’s Unfinished Transition
South Sudan is approaching another decisive moment, but the country is still far from ready for credible elections in December 2026. Nearly two decades ...
