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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Safeguarding humanity in the age of unpredictability
New publication on International Humanitarian Law examines why the rules of war still matter. Focusing on Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado conflict, it offers practical guidance to protect civilians.
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Between caution and confidence
Ramaphosa’s SONA signalled cautious progress: growth returns, reforms take hold and loadshedding eases. Now South Africans want proof that stability delivers jobs, relief and real opportunity.
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Between Washington and Brics — SA’s strategic squeeze
SA’s Brics+ naval drills aren’t a reckless pivot but a hedge in a fractured world order. As US pressure grows, Pretoria is diversifying partners while urging deeper, values-based ties with Europe.
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The price of the ballot and the politics of power
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni won a seventh term after the 15 January 2026 elections, extending four decades in power. Results announced on 17 January put him ahead of opposition leader Bobi Wine.
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Exposing gaps in governance and regulation
AI is advancing fast, but governance lags. Experts warn that without context-sensitive regulation, digital rights are at risk, personal data can be misused, and African languages may be excluded.
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Why liberals and Germany must get it right
Germany faces growing labour shortages and skills gaps, making migration central to its economy. For liberals, the challenge is ensuring mobility is fair, transparent and drives shared prosperity.
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Brussels’ bet on Pretoria, and its payoffs
Europe’s full attendance at the Johannesburg G20 defies US pressure and signals a strategic bet on Africa. With Washington turning inward, Brussels sees the summit as a chance to assert autonomy, fill a leadership gap, and reset ties with the Global South.
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Abortion in Senegal: The dilemma of single women
"A friend told me about a clinic that performs medical abortions clandestinely but in good conditions. However, they gave me an estimate that exceeds my annual salary and Matar does not want to contribute. He threatens to denounce me if I kill his child. Nevertheless, he does not want to marry me to hide my condition before the pregnancy is visible. I don't have much choice", says the desperate woman.
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Disinformation and the threat to democracy
Democracy is under threat worldwide. Disinformation campaigns deliberately seeking to polarise public opinion and undermine trust in government are wreaking havoc with democratic institutions and governance. South Africa is susceptible to this trend as evidenced in the recently released film Influence. South Africa is susceptible to this trend as evidenced in the recently released film Influence, which meticulously analyses the work of UK PR firm Bell Pottinger.
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Photo Collage of COVID-19 Change and Challenges in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe’s economy is primarily informal. The southern African nation, with a score of 60,6 percent, has the world’s second largest informal economy after Bolivia (62,3 percent), according to the International Monetary Fund. This picture book provides an overview of the pandemic’s effects on Zimbabwe and its people through pictures.
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Finishing an unfinished Symphony
On Thursday, 12 November 2020, MIAGI - Music is a great Investment partnered with FNF Africa to present a live-streamed roundtable event “Finishing an unfinished Symphony”. The event is a follow up to the MIAGI documentary film "An unfinished Symphony" that was premiered by The Nobel Prize and National Geographic
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30 facts on 30 years of German unity
October 3, 2020 marks the 30th anniversary of the Day of German Unity. In a few years Germany, which was reunited in 1990, will have existed longer than its divided predecessor. People in Germany have experienced a lot together over the past 30 years: the first participation of the Bundeswehr in NATO's Kosovo mission, the attacks on the World Trade Center, the introduction of the Euro and the world financial crisis are only symbolic of the many challenges that had to be overcome.
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German MP, Dr. Christoph Hoffmann in Mali
Dr. Christoph Hoffmann, Member of the German Parliament (Bundestag) had a four day visit to Mali last week on 20-24 September 2020. Dr. Hoffmann is the first German politician to visit the country after the Coup d’Etat on August 18th. As speaker for International Cooperation of the liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP) and member of the parliamentary commission for economic cooperation and development,..
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#FemaleForward Ashura Michael, Kenya
The World Economic Forum’s digital media platforms recently listed some of the unforeseen challenges that come with face masks, which are now regularly used all over the world as a means to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus. One of the unforeseen effects are towards deaf people, who struggle to read lips, which is an important part of their communication process on a daily basis. Imagine then being a deaf woman with political ambitions in Africa!
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Covid-19 and Fake News Survey in South Africa
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in Germany conduct an international survey on the topic "Coronavirus and Disinformation" as part of the global #FreedomFightsFake campaign against disinformation and fake news. Besides Germany, the survey was conducted on 7,300 in the USA, Mexico, South Africa, India, Jordan and the Philippines.
Social Media
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Animu A. Risasi AmitaiStatelessness is not just a legal issue — it’s a human story! Animu A. Risasi Amitai, human rights defender and former South Sudanese lawmaker, speaks to Channel Africa about being rendered stateless and what it means to lose citizenship, identity, and the right to participate in democracy. Her experience highlights the urgent reality facing many in South Sudan ahead of the 2026 elections. 🎧 Listen to her powerful interview and hear directly how statelessness affects lives, rights, and democratic participation: https://omny.fm/shows/africa-hour/animu-risasi-amitai-shines-light-on-plight-of-south-sudans-stateless-people #Statelessness #HumanRights #SouthSudan
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As conflicts grow more complex, the protection of civilians becomes ever more urgent. In this article, Masechaba Mdaka examines the role of humanitarian law in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado conflict.
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Following last week’s urgent discussions on developments in Uganda at the European Parliament, the Delegation to the Africa–EU Parliamentary Assembly continued the search for concrete solutions in a session yesterday. MEP Jan-Christoph Oetjen asked a clear question to Ugandan democratic leaders: What more can the EU do to support rule of law, human rights and constitutional order? The response from National Unity Platform leader, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu was equally clear — beyond shining a light on abuses, targeted measures such as Global Magnitsky sanctions against individuals responsible for violations must be considered, amongst others. As the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, we stand with all those defending #democracy in #Uganda. #Up4Democracy
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