African Futures

05/06/2026

We are delighted to welcome Thandi Letswalo to the African Futures & Innovation (AFI) programme as our new Programme Assistant.

Thandi brings experience in programme support, office administration, stakeholder coordination and event logistics, having served in several roles across the Institute for Security Studies (ISS). Her commitment to supporting research and operations that strengthen security and shape Africa's future makes her a valuable addition to the team.

We look forward to learning from her experience, benefiting from her dedication, and working together to advance our mission.

04/06/2026

China’s tariff-free offer to Africa: opportunity or optics?

China’s decision to grant tariff-free access to nearly all African exports has been welcomed as a boost for trade. But will it transform Africa’s economic relationship with its largest trading partner or simply reinforce existing patterns?

Tap to read our latest blog by Ronak Gopaldas and Priyal Singh on the opportunities, limits and strategic implications of Beijing’s latest trade offer to Africa:

https://futures.issafrica.org/blog/2026/The-optics-interests-and-limits-of-Chinas-tariff-offer-to-Africa

Without a collective approach from African states, China’s tariff-free market access will not be the silver bullet many expect.

02/06/2026

Bargaining on birthrights: the real resource race for Africa’s future

Africa’s greatest assets have always been its people, land and natural resources. But as global competition intensifies, the continent’s land is becoming a strategic prize for food production, carbon markets, data centres and luxury real estate. The question is no longer whether Africa attracts investment, but under what terms. As debt pressures mount and demand for finite resources grows, decisions made today could shape sovereignty, ownership and development opportunities for generations.

Tap to read our latest blog by Bronwyn Williams on why Africa’s real resource race is increasingly about bargaining power, long-term control and the future of the continent’s birthrights:
https://futures.issafrica.org/blog/2026/Bargaining-on-birthrights-the-real-resource-race-for-Africas-future

Africa’s land is becoming central to global competition over food, finance, carbon, data and luxury property, raising new sovereignty risks.

01/06/2026

At the Spier Dialogue | Stellenbosch, South Africa 🇿🇦

Jakkie Cilliers, Head of the ISS African Futures & Innovation programme, participated in the 2026 Spier Dialogue, which brought together policymakers, researchers, political leaders and practitioners to discuss 𝘈𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢’𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘤 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘣𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺.

Jakkie contributed to discussions on the opportunities and challenges presented by Africa’s rapidly growing youth population, exploring the conditions required to realise a demographic dividend through stronger institutions, economic growth and job creation. The dialogue highlighted the importance of forward-looking policy choices to ensure that demographic change becomes a driver of prosperity rather than instability.

26/05/2026

Djibouti’s path from debt-financed growth to inclusive transformation

Djibouti’s strategic location has fuelled impressive infrastructure-led growth, but rising debt, limited diversification and weak inclusion are exposing the limits of the current model. The next phase of development will depend less on building more, and more on governing better.

Tap to read our latest blog by Marvellous Ngundu on why governance reform, productivity and economic diversification will determine whether Djibouti can realise its Vision 2035 ambitions:
https://futures.issafrica.org/blog/2026/Djiboutis-path-from-debt-financed-growth-to-inclusive-transformation

A Flourish data visualization by Du Toit McLachlan

25/05/2026

What could Djibouti's future look like by 2043?

A small nation at one of the world's most strategic crossings, Djibouti's trade-to-GDP ratio stands at 274%, making it one of Africa's most trade-intensive economies and 8th most globalised on the continent.

With the right reforms and sustained investment, the country's economy could be 63% larger by 2043 than on its current path, about US$8.3 billion more. That growth could lift 88,000 people out of poverty and drive a remarkable energy transition, with renewables rising from just 7.3% of energy production today to 75.8% by 2043.

These projections show what is still possible, and what is at stake.
Read the full report: https://futures.issafrica.org/geographic/countries/djibouti/

22/05/2026

At Impact’26 | Poznań, Poland 🇵🇱

Jakkie Cilliers, Head of the ISS African Futures & Innovation programme, participated in Impact’26, one of Central and Eastern Europe’s leading forums bringing together political leaders, researchers, innovators and business executives to discuss global challenges and future trends.

As part of a panel discussion on “Rebuilding the World Economy: What If the End of Globalization?”, discussions explored how geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation and shifting global dynamics are reshaping international cooperation and development pathways.

Swipe through some moments from Impact’26.

20/05/2026

Ahead of Growth Academy Africa | Pretoria, South Africa 🇿🇦

Jakkie Cilliers, Head of the ISS African Futures & Innovation programme, will join World Bank Group Chief Economist Indermit Gill for a fireside chat on “From South Africa’s Growth Challenge to Africa’s Future.”

The conversation will explore South Africa’s growth challenges in a broader African context, focusing on productivity, job creation and firm growth, and what these mean for the continent’s long-term development trajectory.

Join the conversation online: https://www.wbginstitute.org/events/accelerating-productivity-job-creation-growth-business-enterprises-south-africa

19/05/2026

Critical minerals and energy resources in Africa: myth or opportunity?

As global competition over critical minerals intensifies, Africa sits at the centre of the energy transition, rich in resources, yet constrained by limited infrastructure, refining capacity and investment. The real challenge is not scarcity, but strategy.

Tap to read our latest blog by Jakkie Cilliers on why Africa’s energy future will depend on diversification, governance and its ability to turn resource wealth into long-term transformation:
https://futures.issafrica.org/blog/2026/Critical-minerals-and-energy-resources-in-Africa-myth-or-opportunity

The continent’s energy future is shaped less by scarcity than by geopolitical concentration, investment timing and strategic dependence.