UPCOMING EVENT
Thursday, February 16, 2012
10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Washington, DC
In a recent and controversial court ruling, President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal—a nation long considered a leader in African democracy—received approval to pursue re-election for a third term in office despite a constitutional two-term limit. The decision has sparked public unrest leading up to the presidential election on February 26. On February 16, the Africa Growth Initiative at Brookings will host a discussion on Senegal’s elections and their implications for democracy, economic growth and regional stability. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Mwangi S. Kimenyi, Julius Agbor, Olumide Taiwo, Anne W. Kamau, Zenia Lewis, Jessica Smith, Witney Schneidman and Abdoulaye Diagne, February 10, 2012, The Brookings Institution
On February 26, Senegal will hold its presidential elections amid growing controversy surrounding President Abdoulaye Wade's reelection bid. Africa Growth Initiative experts and colleagues dissect the political climate throughout Senegal, including the country's external relationships, the youth vote, prospects for democracy, and possible post-election outcomes. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Justin W. van Fleet, February 03, 2012, The Brookings Institution
While media reports on Susan G. Komen for the Cure's planned funding cut for Planned Parenthood continue, Justin van Fleet argues that the incident serves as a strong reminder to the global donor community that increased transparency and accountability are crucial when supporting social causes. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Osita Ogbu, January 26, 2012, The Brookings Institution
As the ongoing crisis and street demonstrations wage on in Nigeria, Osita Ogbu argues that the lack of trust and communication from government leaders is only fueling the unrest. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Mwangi S. Kimenyi, January 25, 2012, The Brookings Institution
African countries are increasingly including provisions in their constitutions that would extend voting rights to members of the diaspora as a way to contribute to development. However, Mwangi Kimenyi argues that giving these people the right to vote without requiring tax payments is a luxury that these countries cannot afford. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
January 2012, The Brookings Institution
Experts from the Africa Growth Initiative examine ideas for increasing intra-African trade, highlighting the major barriers to trade within the continent, as well as providing country-specific case studies and policy recommendations. Read More
PAST EVENT
Thursday, January 19, 2012
10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Washington, DC
On January 19, the Development Assistance and Governance Initiative at Brookings and Publish What You Fund hosted a discussion on the 2011 Aid Transparency Index, significant new U.S. commitments to improving foreign aid transparency and how those commitments can be fulfilled. Rajiv Shah, administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, delivered keynote remarks. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Mwangi S. Kimenyi, January 12, 2012, The Brookings Institution
This year's Foresight Africa report focused on the top priorities for Africa in 2012. Participants on Twitter joined the conversation by using the #ForesightAfrica hashtag, submitting questions on Africa's democratic elections, U.S. military involvement and more. Mwangi Kimenyi responds to these questions and comments as well as others from the January 11 event on the topic. Read More
PAST EVENT
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Washington, DC
On January 11, the Africa Growth Initiative at Brookings hosted a discussion to identify top priorities for Africa in 2012, including managing a growing youth population, increasing the profile of organizations such as the African Union, sustaining advancements in public health, improving natural resource management and aid effectiveness, and prioritizing regional integration efforts. Panelists discussed how African and global leaders can address these issues in the coming year. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Kevin Watkins, January 11, 2012, The Brookings Institution
Kevin Watkins examines the resurgence of interest in the issue of education inequality and the opportunities for improving health, literacy and political participation in disadvantaged regions of the world. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Raj M. Desai and Shareen Joshi, January 11, 2012, The Brookings Institution
Raj Desai and Shareen Joshi discuss the use of producer associations by governments and multilateral development institutions to provide support to women and improve Indian agriculture, which has faced declining productivity, greater import competition, and rising prices for fertilizer, seed and pesticides. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Vera Songwe and Nelipher Moyo, January 10, 2012, The Brookings Institution
Vera Songwe and Nelipher Moyo argue that the Nigerian government's decision to end a costly, but highly popular fuel subsidy program offers a chance for transparency and well-structured reform in the country, despite mass protests and unrest. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Kemal Derviş and Homi Kharas, January 06, 2012, The Brookings Institution
Kemal Derviş and Homi Kharas examine the Obama administration’s success in fighting for U.S. spending on global development, with the passage of a bill including $2.6 billion for capital increases and replenishments for major multilateral agencies and funds. Derviş and Kharas discuss what this could mean for the world's poorest countries. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
January 2012, The Brookings Institution
Experts from the Brookings Africa Growth Initiative and other collaborators examine the top priorities and concerns at the forefront of Africa's economic, political and social development in 2012. Through their insight, these experts aim to provide policy recommendations and seize opportunities to mitigate risks that would reverse the progress Africa has achieved over the last few decades. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Mwangi S. Kimenyi, January 05, 2012, The Guardian
Mwangi Kimenyi argues that President Obama should seek to build mutually beneficial American partnerships with African countries for a chance at leaving a U.S. legacy in the continent. Read More