Top Priorities for Africa in 2013

African countries start the new year with hope and optimism, as many continue to improve governance, deepen economic growth and advance democratic reforms. However, instability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, rising extremism in Mali and Nigeria, and ongoing youth unemployment in much of the continent make the great expectations for Africa seem fragile at times.

On January 9, the Africa Growth Initiative at Brookings hosted a discussion with leading African experts on what the most pressing issues and challenges are for the continent in 2013. The panel included: Professor Jeffrey Sachs of Columbia University, who appeared via video conference; Laura Seay, assistant professor at Morehouse College; Steve Radelet, distinguished professor at Georgetown University; and Senior Fellow Mwangi Kimenyi, director of the Africa Growth Initiative at Brookings. Isha Sesay, anchor on CNN International, moderated the discussion.

The event follows the release of the new Foresight Africa report, a collection of short briefs on the major issues for Africa in 2013.