Into Africa
Fearless music activists. Savvy tech entrepreneurs. Social disrupters. Into Africa shatters narratives that dominate U.S. perceptions of Africa. With the world’s youngest population, the decisions made across Africa today—good or bad—will shape the world’s future. Featuring in-depth interviews, the CSIS Africa Program sits down with policymakers, journalists, academics, and other trailblazers in African affairs to shine a spotlight on the people and stories shaping cultural, political, and economic trends across the continent today and for decades to come.
26
Peter Obi on Leadership with Integrity
Peter Obi joins Into Africa to stress that tackling Nigeria’s challenges starts with leaders of integrity and youth-focused reforms.
29 min
27
Cameron Hudson on the internationalization of t...
25 min
28
Solving Africa’s Housing Deficit
Thierno-Habib Hann joins to explore how finance and partnerships are reshaping Africa’s urban future.
42 min
29
Understanding the case for the Africa Credit Ra...
52 min
30
The Afropolitan is now the Youth Bloom podcast!
1 min
31
The Congo, the Cold War, and Capitol Hill
Steve Weissman, longtime foreign policy and campaign finance analyst, joins to examine how Cold War dynamics shaped U.S.-Africa relations, the challenges of holding authoritarian regimes accountable, and the role of Congress in crafting principled foreign policy.
41 min
32
Coffee Chat with Catherine: Unofficial Tips for...
34 min
33
Navigating Africa’s Environmental Dilemma
Tosi Mpanu-Mpanu joins to explore Africa’s unique climate challenges, the complexities of carbon markets, and the region’s growing influence in global environmental negotiations.
39 min
34
Best Of: The boomers in Mali getting their news...
36 min
35
Advancing Change in Nigeria: Advocacy in Action
In this episode of Into Africa, Udo Ilo, author of It Is Impossible: Influencing Change in Nigeria, joins to explore the complex landscape of social and political change in Nigeria.
32 min
36
Accra’s housing crisis is forcing young people ...
25 min
37
Africa at a Crossroads: The 2025 African Union ...
Dr. Solomon Dersso, adjunct professor at the University of Cape Town and founding director of Amani Africa, joins to analyze the AU’s evolving role, the implications of the 2025 Summit, and the challenges facing the organization in maintaining unity and effectiveness.
38 min
38
The think tank making impact evaluation skills ...
Catherine Nzuki is joined by Dr. Constantine Manda, the co-founder and inaugural Director of the IE Lab at ESRF; and Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Irvine. They discuss what impact evaluation is, why it’s important for every Tanzanian to be introduced to impact evaluation methods, and how the IE Lab tailors its training for policymakers and local authorities.
28 min
39
Finding Paths to Sustainable Development in Africa
Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, CEO and President of the ONE Campaign, discusses how the organization leverages public, private, and non-profit partnerships to create opportunities of sustainable development on the continent.
45 min
40
The new Alliance of Sahel States and the future...
Catherine Nzuki is joined by Beverly Ochieng, Senior Analyst for Francophone Africa at Control Risks, and a Senior Associate with the CSIS Africa Program, to unpack the forming of the Alliance of Sahel States and more.
48 min
41
Africa’s Narrative Revolution
Yinka Adegoke, editor of Semafor Africa, joined Into Africa to discuss the rapidly changing media landscape across the continent.
35 min
42
DeepSeek’s AI is cheap. Is this a game-changer ...
Catherine Nzuki is joined by Dr. Chinasa T. Okolo, a fellow in the Center for Technology Innovation in the Governance Studies program at Brookings and a recent computer science Ph.D. graduate from Cornell University.
41 min
43
Power, Politics, and Peace in Somalia
Mvemba is joined by Dr. Afyare Elmi, political scientist and research professor at the City University of Mogadishu, to explore the causes of Somalia’s ongoing security challenges, political landscape, and governance struggles.
34 min
44
The fallout of the U.S. aid freeze in Washingto...
Catherine Nzuki is joined by Andrew Friedman, Senior Fellow with the CSIS Human Rights Initiative, and Samuel Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, to discuss the impacts of the U.S. aid freeze and the future of foreign aid in Africa and the world.
44 min
45
AFRICOM at 17: Shaping U.S.-Africa Relations
Joining Into Africa is Brigadier General Rose Lopez Keravuori, Director of Intelligence (J2) at U.S. Africa Command. Brigadier General Keravuori will discuss AFRICOM's accomplishments, the challenges it has faced, and its evolving role in U.S.-Africa relations.
75 min
46
The festivities and frustrations of ‘detty Dece...
Catherine Nzuki is joined by Oluwatomisin Amokeoja, a journalist with Forbes Africa, to give an overview of ‘detty December’ in Lagos.
30 min
47
The Reporter’s Note: Observations on U.S. Afric...
Mvemba and Julian Pecquet, United States correspondent for the Africa Report, examine the complexities of U.S.-Africa relations amid pressing geopolitical challenges and a transition to a new U.S. administration.
37 min
48
Decoding demographics with Dr. Jennifer D. Sciubba
Catherine Nzuki is joined by Dr. Jennifer D. Sciubba, President and CEO of the Population Reference Bureau and one of the foremost experts in the field of political demography.
31 min
49
Africa’s bid for two permanent UNSC seats (with...
This holiday season, we’re dreaming of a just and representative global order. Catherine Nzuki is joined by Ambassador Martin Kimani, PhD, the Executive Director of New York University’s Center on International Cooperation. He was previously the Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations (UN).
59 min
50
The Fight Against HIV and Gender-Based Violence
Mvemba is joined by Dr. Uche Ralph-Opara, Chief Health Officer at Project HOPE, to discuss the progress made and the hurdles that remain in achieving epidemic control. Their conversation highlights innovative approaches to addressing gender inequality and empowering vulnerable populations.
26 min