Global democracy under pressure: Insights from Africa for a changing world

With the start of 2026, the world has seen more than two decades of declining global democracy. Yet this period has also revealed unexpected stories of democratic resilience. In the face of mounting internal pressure and shifting geopolitical dynamics, why do some democracies endure while others falter?

On April 14, the Africa Growth Initiative (AGI) at Brookings convened a timely conversation to examine how these global trends are shaping and being shaped by developments across the African continent. The event featured keynote conversations with Gerardo Berthin, president of Freedom House, and with Damon Wilson, president of the National Endowment for Democracy.

Brookings AGI also presented new findings from a year-long study on the drivers of democratic resilience and fragility in African states. The research offers practical, policy-relevant insights for governments, civil society leaders, and international partners seeking to strengthen democratic institutions in a rapidly evolving global landscape.