Africa

Listen Again: The True Impact of USAID Cuts on Africa
Economist James Shikwati and New Lines’ North Africa Editor Erin Brown consider the impact of drastic cuts to American aid in Africa on this episode of Global Insights on The Lede, hosted by Kwangu Liwewe.

Africa’s AI Strongmen
AI-generated videos of men like Ibrahim Traoré, Assimi Goïta, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo are going viral not because people are being fooled but because they tap into something deeper: a real hunger for strong, authentic African leadership.

East Africa’s Authoritarian Turn
Tanzanian activist Maria Sarungi-Tsehai and Mary Kambo of the Kenya Human Rights Commission join New Lines’ Kwangu Liwewe on the podcast to discuss increasing repression in the region.

Africa May Be on the Cusp of a Soccer Golden Age
For decades, African soccer has been caught between immense natural talent and broken systems of governance and funding. But a convergence of changes — new leadership, diaspora players returning to their roots, Morocco’s World Cup success and grassroots investment — could tip the continent into a golden era.

Annobon Was Free a Century Before Haiti. Can It Find Independence Again?
Thanks to its remote location and oversight by its Portuguese and Spanish rulers, the tiny islet of Annobon governed its own affairs for almost two centuries. Now, it is trying to separate itself from the dictatorship in Equatorial Guinea, which it casts as its new overlord.

How African Leaders’ Memoirs Rewrite History
Political memoirs can seem more like propaganda than honest reflection, raising questions about their authenticity and how they shape our understanding of history. That of former Nigerian military leader Ibrahim Babangida is no exception, highlighting its author’s achievements while downplaying his mistakes.

The Real Impact of USAID Cuts on Africa
Economist James Shikwati and New Lines’ North Africa Editor Erin Brown consider the impact of drastic cuts to American aid in Africa on this episode of Global Insights on The Lede, hosted by Kwangu Liwewe.