Top Priorities for the African Continent in 2015: Foresight Report

Since 2010, the Brooking Africa Growth Initiative asks scholars to assess the top priorities for Africa in the coming year. The 2015 report identifies 9 key issues, including the post-2015 agenda, the fight against Ebola or the Presidential elections in Africa. It also identifies 2015 as a crucial year for financing development in Africa.

2015 will be an eventful year for the African continent. The Brooking Africa Growth Initiative experts and colleagues have identified the following key issues:

The 2015 presidential elections in Nigeria: Jideofor Adibe reviews the issues, introduces the candidates and explains the complexities of the 2015 presidential election in the continent’s most populous country and biggest economy.

The 6^th forum on China-Africa Cooperation: As the region prepares for the 2015 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Yun Sun discusses the evolving China-Africa relationship, whether China’s priorities might be shifting, and how African countries are strengthening their voices. 

How the West can do more military in Africa: Michael O’Hanlon and Amy Copley argue that, despite the news coverage, violence across the continent is decreasing, but to continue this trend in 2015 the international community needs to appreciate that the root causes of terrorism and intra-country conflicts extend beyond extremism.

The post 2015 Development Agenda: Homi Kharas and Julie Biau explain the three prongs of the Post-2015 Development Agenda—job creation, infrastructure and governance, and peace and security—and what they mean for Africa.

A crucial year for financing development in Africa: Amadou Sy offers recommendations for the 2015 International Conference on Financing for Development and identifies ways donors, governments, and the private sector can successfully leverage foreign direct investment for long-term growth

An African Union for an Emerging Continent: Mwangi S. Kimenyi reflects on the African Union’s successes and failures, recommending policy changes to increase its capability and influence as the institution confronts complex challenges in 2015.

Fighting Ebola: A Strategy for Action : In the wake of the ongoing Ebola crisis, Vera Songwe examines the long-term impacts of the epidemic and the global reaction, with an emphasis on the economic consequences and ways forward.

A pivotal year for Obama’s Africa legacy: Witney Schneidman appraises the White House’s current initiatives in and policies toward Africa, calling for strong leadership from the president in order to deepen U.S.-Africa relations in 2015.

African elections in 2015, a snapshot for Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Burkina Faso and Sudan: John Mukum Mbaku gives an overview of the 2015 elections in Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Burkina Faso and Sudan, including a history of democratization in these countries, the top issues in the elections, and what to expect in 2015.

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ABOUT THE BROOKINGS AFRICA GROWTH INITIATIVE

For Africa to achieve transformative progress, policy solutions must come from African sources. The Africa Growth Initiative brings together African scholars to provide policymakers with high-quality research, expertise and innovative solutions that promote Africa’s economic development. The Initiative also collaborates with research partners in the region to raise the African voice in global policy debates on Africa. Our mission is to deliver research from an African perspective that informs sound policy, creating sustained economic growth and development for the people of Africa.