Debating Ideas
-
Nigeria’s Accountability Crisis Is Fueling Every Other Political Crisis
On March 23, 2026, a Federal High Court in Abuja handed down a 72 year sentence, to be served as eight years concurrently, to ... -
What Togo’s Music Industry Needs Beyond Streaming
Over the past few years, access to digital music platforms has changed what is possible for artists in countries such as Togo. A musician ... -
The Sanctuary Parliament How Somalia’s Immunity System Protects Those Who Should Face Justice
The first piece documented who disappeared into Somalia’s detention system. The second — “The Journalists Who Disappeared” — documented who was silenced for reporting ... -
When the Grave Digs Itself: Rejecting Zimbabwe’s Legislative Coup. Canon Collins 2026 essay winner
This piece is the winner of the Canon Collins 2026 essay competition. The annual competition invites essays that demonstrate thought leadership and offer fresh ... -
The Horn of Africa’s Age of Permanent Conflict
Sudan’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement, signed in 2005, seemed to vindicate a model for how wars might end in the Horn of Africa. Under the ... -
When protecting local traders turns foreigners into targets
On Dennis Pritt Road in Nairobi’s Kilimani district, long queues formed outside the Burundian embassy on 7 September. People were waiting for laissez-passers, temporary ... -
How much is a human worth? Nigeria’s growing kidnapping economy
On 21 August, armed men entered a mosque in Dekara village in Niger State while Friday prayers were underway. At around the same time, nearby settlements ... -
Nigeria Is Building an AI Economy. Who Will Protect Nigerians When the Algorithms Get It Wrong?
By the time Nigeria puts together all of the policies needed to regulate artificial intelligence, elements of the technology might have already been implemented. ... -
Mineral Beneficiation: A Pipedream of Prosperity in an Unequal Financial Architecture
Since 2023, 14 African countries have introduced export restrictions on unprocessed critical minerals, requiring “local beneficiation” – or in-country processing and manufacturing – prior ... -
DRC: The INGA Dam Paradox
Congo already has electricity it cannot deliver. Inga’s problem is not the dam. Everyone is arguing about who will finance 44 gigawatts. Almost nobody ...











