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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The tale of continued disillusionment of the youth
The need for political education will steer the youth in Mozambique towards real change in the country. Fifty (50) years into independence, youth policies that exist through the National Youth Policy do not address current challenges. Opportunities are missed by youth due to the language barrier in Mozambique, which is further exacerbated by unemployment and limited academic opportunities caused by a lack of exposure and daily, mounting poverty. These issues are further entrenched by systemic challenges to governance in the country. Daniel Chapo’s cabinet is not inclusive, as he had promised during his campaign. What happens now? The Friedrich Naumann Foundation Sub-Saharan Africa office, in partnership with the Africa Centre for Governance and the Youth Parliament (Parlamento Juvenil Moçambique), seeks to unpack the status of the youth question following the electoral violence in Mozambique and how this has continued to contribute to human rights violations.
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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 With rigid lending rules, outdated restructuring mechanisms, and growing pressure from both traditional and non-traditional creditors, the crisis is no longer just economic, it is profoundly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.
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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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Are governments doing enough to defend women's gains in democracy and governance?
At the 64th Congress of Liberal International in Santiago, Chile, women leaders convened to discuss their experiences, challenges, and victories. Despite progress, significant challenges and inequalities persist. Women remain underrepresented in leadership positions, particularly in top decision-making roles. They often face discrimination, bias, and limited access to resources and opportunities.
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How Vladimir Putin got checkmated in South Africa - Takeaways for team Trump
On May 29, 2024, at polling station in Pretoria, South Africa, attached to an election study tour as an advisor to the country's leading opposition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), during the most consequential election since Nelson Mandela rose to the Presidency in the first post-Apartheid, all-race, political contest, I witnessed with great satisfaction how Vladimir Putin learned the same lesson Ellen taught me.
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Where are the EDR mechanisms in post electoral violence?
Election protests in Mozambique have escalated into a national crisis. Reports of election irregularities and tragic assassinations of opposition figures have led to a wave of demonstrations—and deadly confrontations. Observers from the EU and AU pointed to severe administrative failures and potential disenfranchisement of opposition voters, while Mozambique’s recent decline in democracy rankings has intensified doubts about the election’s legitimacy.
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Intergenerational co-leadership and the future of freedom in Africa
FNF Africa hosted the 2024 Africa Freedom Prize Award, in partnership with the African Leadership Academy (ALA). This prestigious event recognises exceptional contributions to liberal civil society in Africa, focusing specifically on the role of liberalism, democracy, and freedom across the continent. The 2024 Africa Freedom Prize was awarded to His Excellency President Wavel Ramkalawan of Seychelles, whose leadership in promoting democracy and freedom has set a notable example across Africa.
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Honouring President Wavel Ramkalawan of the Seychelles
We are pleased to announce the 2024 Africa Freedom Prize, celebrating outstanding contributions to liberal civil society in Africa. This year’s theme, "Intergenerational Co-leadership and the Future of Freedom in Africa," highlights the importance of youth leadership shaping the continent’s future alongside established leaders. Partnering with the African Leadership Academy, the event emphasizes liberalism, democracy, and freedom. The 2024 prize will honour President Wavel Ramkalawan of Seychelles for exemplary leadership promoting democracy and freedom.
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A New Image of Africa_X Spaces conversation series
A New Image of Africa initiative successfully achieved its goal of promoting African entrepreneurship and innovation. By bringing together a diverse group of speakers and start-ups, the event provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing African entrepreneurs today. With over 110 start-ups registered in its database and hundreds of participants engaged in the virtual discussions (133 live listeners and is viewed by 938 users and growing), the initiative highlighted the continent’s entrepreneurial energy and potential.
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Elections amid insurgency and economic crisis
Mozambique will hold presidential and parliamentary elections on the 9th of October marking the end of President Filipe Nyusi's two-term tenure. Nyusi has been praised for upholding the constitution and not seeking a third term, unlike the trend on the continent. Elections are expected amid insurgence, rising political tensions, and widespread economic challenges. Poverty, fueled by systemic corruption, poor governance, and incompetence, has led to widespread discontent across various sectors of society.
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Review of the first 100 Days of the Government of National Unity
For the first time in 25 years, South Africa is governed by a coalition, with the African National Congress (ANC) holding 159 seats and the Democratic Alliance (DA) with 87 seats. The first 100 days have shown both opportunities and challenges. While the coalition has brought political stability, boosting investor confidence and strengthening the rand by 5.8%, it faces significant hurdles. Key issues like energy, infrastructure, and logistics reform remain unresolved.
Social Media
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🎥 PREMIERING NOW: Reimagining Global Finance As 56 developing countries face debt distress, global experts gather to ask: What kind of financial system sustains fragility instead of enabling development? 📘 Featuring the launch of our new policy paper by Dr. Aaron Thegeya 📺 Watch now: [https://youtu.be/zV7BI-EMGYs?si=p28SaIH1FCFfPQJq] #FNFreedomFromDebt #DebtCrisis #GlobalFinance #PublicDebt #FNF #G20SouthAfrica
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Mozambican Youth Dialogue | 1 July 2025 🇲🇿 On the sidelines of the 4th Human Rights Training in Maputo hosted by Fondation René Cassin - Institut international des droits de l'homme, young Mozambicans came together for a Youth Dialogue to address the urgent challenges of post-election violence, human rights, and democracy. The event provided a platform to: - Examine the human, economic, and democratic consequences of political unrest. - Reflect critically on youth experiences during and after electoral violence. - Promote inclusive, youth-led responses to trauma, displacement, unemployment, and declining public trust. - Equip participants with strategies to contribute meaningfully to peace, accountability, and democratic resilience. Through panel discussions and group work, the dialogue highlighted the role of youth not just as observers, but as active agents of change in shaping Mozambique’s democratic future. Learn more about the outcomes of the gathering here: https://www.freiheit.org/sub-saharan-africa/tale-continued-disillusionment-youth
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Senior journalist and Editor of the Zimbabwe Independent, Faith Zaba, has been arrested by the Zimbabwe Republic Police on allegations of “undermining the authority of or insulting the President” — over a satirical Muckraker column published last week. Despite medical confirmation of her severe illness, police insisted on detaining her overnight, ahead of a court appearance on 2 July 2025. Zaba, the first female editor of the Zimbabwe Independent and a mentor to hundreds of young female journalists, now faces an attack not just on press freedom, but on the voices of women in media. #FreeFaith #NoPressNoFreedom #SaveTheMedia
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