Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Sub-Saharan Africa

25/08/2026

Verschiedene Länder. Verschiedene politische Realitäten. Aber viele gemeinsame Herausforderungen.
In einer Rede im Rahmen des Political Leadership MBA der Naumann Academy for Leadership im Westkap, Südafrika, reflektiert Nadine Zaya von der deutschen FDP über eine wichtige Erkenntnis, die sich aus dem Zusammenkommen von Liberalen aus aller Welt ergibt.
Angesichts des Vormarsches autoritärer Kräfte und immer lauter werdender Forderungen nach einem stärkeren Staat argumentiert sie, dass Liberale nach wie vor etwas Wichtiges gemeinsam haben: die Fähigkeit, Hoffnung zu vermitteln.
„Der Liberalismus gedeiht, wenn er eine optimistische Zukunftsvision bietet.“
Eine Erinnerung daran, dass die Herausforderungen für Liberale vor Ort zwar unterschiedlich aussehen mögen, die Werte und die Chance, eine freiere Zukunft zu gestalten, jedoch Grenzen überschreiten. 🌍

25/08/2026

What happens when you bring 20 liberals from around the world together in South Africa?

You discover that, despite different countries, cultures and political realities, many of the challenges are remarkably similar.

That was one of the reflections to emerge from the recent Political Leadership MBA, one of six Naumann Academy for Leadership programmes to take place in 2026 around the world.

From the rise of authoritarianism to debates about the role of the state, participants exchanged perspectives shaped by very different local experiences.

But they also found common ground. Liberalism needs more than criticism of what is going wrong. It needs an optimistic vision of what the future can look like.

A week of learning, honest conversations and new connections across borders. 🌍

20/08/2026

Anesu Mukuwane’s innovation began with something she could no longer ignore: a giant heap of wasted produce at a market she regularly visits.

For Anesu, the problem is deeply personal. She knows some of the traders, their families and their stories. That connection, combined with her passion for brewing and distilling, inspired her to explore how wasted produce could be transformed into something useful, extending its shelf life and creating value for the community.

Her ambition is simple but powerful: create a solution whose impact can ripple beyond individual traders to the wider community.

That vision has now made Anesu the Falling Walls Lab Zimbabwe 2026 winner, and she will represent Zimbabwe in Berlin, Germany, this November.

Watch her powerful story.

13/08/2026

Stable democracies are among Africa’s greatest assets, and they must be protected.

Democratic stability is built over time through strong institutions, credible elections, citizen participation and public trust. But stability can also be weakened when reforms are introduced without sufficient consultation, transparency or public understanding.

As Zambia goes to the polls, its experience offers an important lesson for the continent: we should not only focus on building new democracies; we must also protect and strengthen the stable democracies Africa already has.

Our latest piece asks: Beyond the Ballot: Are Zambia’s Election Reforms Built for the People?

Because ultimately, electoral reform should strengthen the voice of the citizen.

Do Zambia’s electoral reforms strengthen democracy or merely regulate it? The real test is whether they protect citizens’ rights, participation, representation and trust.

07/08/2026

Huge congrats to Sandile Gumbi, winner of Falling Walls Lab Cape Town 2026, for his pitch on paediatric TB diagnostics. He's off to represent Cape Town at the global finale in Berlin. Proud to have partnered with Falling Walls and Hasso Plattner d-school Afrika and UCT on this one. Well done to all 11 presenters who brought their ideas to the stage. Cape Town found its wall breaker 🇿🇦✈️🇩🇪

07/08/2026

What does it take for young people to thrive as leaders?

It starts with believing in them, and then turning that belief into real opportunities, resources and platforms where they can lead.

At the African Leadership Festival 2026, FNF Programmes Assistant Malilomo Nkhabu spoke about why youth partnerships must be more than short term support. They should create space for young people to test ideas, build confidence, learn, connect and make a difference in their own communities.

Because young people do not simply need a seat at the table. They need partners who will listen, open doors and stay for the journey.

Watch the full Day 1 session, Collaborating for Impact: Partnerships as a Catalyst for Thriving Youth: https://youtu.be/vGNBKeI7lFE

05/08/2026

Congratulations to the top three Wall Breakers from Falling Walls Lab Zimbabwe 2026:

🏆 Anesu Mukuwane turned brewing waste into a protective coating that could help fresh produce last longer. She will now represent Zimbabwe at the Falling Walls Lab Global Finale in Berlin this November.

🥈 Melinda Kufeni developed smart glasses that detect driver fatigue and can activate a vehicle’s brakes before an accident happens.

🥉 Trymore Kunjenjema is transforming discarded vehicle tyres into safer and more useful rubber paving products.

From safer food and mines to cleaner communities, these ideas show what becomes possible when local problem solvers have a platform and when knowledge travels in both directions.

Read the full event overview: https://www.freiheit.org/sub-saharan-africa/zimbabwes-young-innovators-bring-home-grown-breakthroughs-global-stage

05/08/2026

Fifteen innovators turned Zimbabwe’s everyday challenges into breakthrough ideas. Winner Anesu Mukuwane now takes her post-harvest solution from Harare to the Falling Walls Global Finale in Berlin.

Fifteen innovators turned Zimbabwe’s everyday challenges into breakthrough ideas. Winner Anesu Mukuwane now takes her post-harvest solution from Harare to the Falling Walls Global Finale in Berlin.

04/08/2026

25/07/2026

10 Minuten zu Fuß ins Büro, sinnvolle Projekte, eine Dienstreise nach Maputo und Wochenenden, an denen er Südafrika entdeckt – von Johannesburgs Straßenkunst bis hin zur wilden Seite des Landes.
Thomas gibt uns einen Einblick in seinen Alltag als Praktikant bei der FNS in Johannesburg und erzählt, warum diese Erfahrung für ihn schon jetzt unvergesslich ist.
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