Sub-Saharan Africa
The future of Africa is often regarded in a strangely unimaginative and pessimistic way. Yet Africa today is full of diversity, economic potential and innovative development.
However, the continent faces numerous challenges. As a liberal foundation, we believe that sustainable development depends on strong democratic institutions. Through our activities, we therefore promote liberal policies such as human rights, the rule of law, innovation, digitalisation and free trade.
From our offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Harare, Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, Abidjan and Dakar, we support partners in several African countries in advocating liberal values and implementing democratic structures.
News
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Reimagining global finance
As debt distress tightens its grip on the Global South, 35 developing countries teeter on the brink of default with many now spending more on interest payments than on education or healthcare. At a high-level roundtable hosted by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, experts and policymakers examined the structural flaws of the global financial system, questioning whether it supports or stifles development. With rigid lending rules, outdated restructuring mechanisms, and growing pressure from both traditional and non-traditional creditors, the crisis is no longer just economic, it is profoundly social and political. The message was clear: debt, if poorly structured, traps countries in cycles of fragility. Urgent reform is needed to build a fairer, more resilient financial architecture before more lives and futures are lost.
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Trump’s Stage, Ramaphosa’s test
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa met U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House this week to strengthen ties. Instead, the South African delegation faced a staged performance tailored for Trump’s domestic audience. In the lead-up, Trump and his allies reignited false claims of a “white farmer genocide” in South Africa — a narrative disproven by crime data and human rights groups. Still, the myth remains popular among Trump’s conservative base, serving as a convenient but harmful political tool in U.S. discourse.
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Chief Justice Koome backs International Anti-Corruption Court at FNF launch
At a landmark event in Nairobi, Chief Justice Martha Koome endorsed the proposed International Anti-Corruption Court (IACC), calling it a vital tool to combat grand corruption and kleptocracy across Africa. Speaking at the launch of a policy brief by FNF, Koome emphasised the failure of domestic systems to hold powerful offenders accountable, particularly those who hide illicit funds in offshore accounts. She argued that an international court is not only timely but essential.
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Africa and Europe at crossroads
Africa and Europe face a defining moment in global trade as rising US tariffs reshape economic relationships. Zimbabwe, as Chair of SADC, suspended tariffs on American imports after Washington imposed an 18% duty on Zimbabwean goods. This gesture highlights Africa’s lack of a unified trade response, exposing industries to risk and weakening negotiating power. As the Trump Administration embraces protectionism and China deepens its influence, the EU has a narrow window to offer a fair, rules-based alternative.
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The role of C20 in shaping an inclusive G20 2025
As South Africa prepares to host the G20 Summit in 2025, the world’s attention is on how this global event can drive meaningful change. The theme—Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability—highlights the need for inclusive policies that tackle pressing global challenges like inequality, climate change, and economic instability. But for real impact, the voices of everyday people must be heard. Civil Society Organisations play a crucial role in ensuring the G20’s decisions reflect the needs of all communities, not just governments and businesses.
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The deterioration of U.S.-South Africa relations
The expulsion of Ambassador Ebrahim Rasool in March 2025, after remarks on U.S. racial politics, marked a low in relations. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called Rasool a “race-baiting politician,” highlighting tensions. The conflict reflects deeper ideological and policy differences, particularly on racial redress. U.S. officials have misrepresented South Africa’s economic and land reforms as discriminatory. This weaponisation of race has strained ties, underscoring the need to move beyond racial narratives in foreign relations, writes Kwezi Sogoni.
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Strengthening partnerships for sustainable growth
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation played a key role at the RenewPac Summit in Abidjan, focusing on governance, innovation, and strengthening EU-Africa partnerships. Key discussions included climate resilience, economic development, and fostering political participation among women and youth. FNF led a session on "The Next Big Idea," driving transformative ideas for collaboration, and co-hosted a workshop on empowering women in politics.
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