In June, the Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) hosted an Africa Program discussion on opportunities and partnerships to engage innovative African-led research and analysis to inform critical policy areas relevant to the U.S. and African countries. The conversation took stock of a rapidly evolving U.S.-Africa relationship, identified common priorities, and shared models for incorporating African perspectives in policy processes. 

The session opened with remarks from CSIS CEO and President, Ret. General Joseph Dunford, followed by a panel moderated by CSIS Africa Program Director and Senior Fellow, Oge Onubogu that featured AAI’s President & CEO Felicia Appenteng; Arsène Brice Bado, Director, Center for Research and Action for Peace; Lina Benabdallah, Associate Professor, Wake Forest University; and Jakkie Cilliers, Chairman of the Board and Head of African Futures & Innovation, the Institute for Security Studies. Supported by The Andrew Carnegie Foundation, this new network will connect African think tanks, academic centers, and research institutions, among others, directly with U.S-based policy conversations.