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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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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Unlocking democracy through youth-centred financing and innovation
The recent G20 Sideline Event at the FNF regional office in Johannesburg set the tone for a powerful day of ideas and collaboration ahead of the main G20 gathering on 22-23 November 2025.
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Autonomy, compliance and accountability
Attending the ACHPR’s 85th Session revealed the Commission’s struggle to balance autonomy, accountability and political pressure while safeguarding human rights across Africa.
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Between junta, JNIM, and mercenaries: The bitter struggle for gold and power continues
Mali at a Dead End: Trapped between a military junta, jihadist forces, and mercenaries, the country is unraveling in a brutal fight for gold, power, and survival, a silent crisis unfolding at Europe’s doorstep.
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Why generational conflict has not yet erupted
Africa's Generation Z demands change: In Côte d'Ivoire, 83-year-old Ouattara is likely to run again – but in the parliamentary elections in December, the young, digitally connected generation could show its influence.
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FNF mourns the death of Raila Odinga
The FNF mourns former Kenyan PM Raila Odinga, a champion of democracy and justice. His leadership and courage inspired generations, strengthening liberal values in Kenya and across Africa.
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The liberal edge – Can LDS continue to chart the way forward?
Seychelles’ Oct 9–11, 2025 runoff pits incumbent President Ramkalawan against US leader Herminie, marking one of the nation’s most competitive elections since ending four decades of one-party rule.
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A Journey Of Hope
In the heart of Kajiado county, Kenya, where the sun-drenched savannah meets the sky, lies a sanctuary of hope and empowerment - the Nice Place Foundation. This remarkable institution stands as a beacon of light, dedicated to providing a safe haven for young women and girls at risk of undergoing female genital cutting (FGC) or facing life-changing child marriages. In a world where traditional practices can shape destinies, the Nice Place Foundation emerges as a potent force for change, reshaping futures and amplifying voices that were once stifled.
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"Ukraine-Krieg hat negative Auswirkungen auf Afrika"
Sieben afrikanischen Studenten der African Leadership Academy nahmen an einem Interview über die Perspektiven afrikanischer Jugendlicher in Europa teil. Ziel war es, Meinungen zu den Herausforderungen in den Beziehungen zwischen den beiden Kontinenten zu erfahren. Addishiwot Dagnew, eine Studentin aus Äthiopien, sieht besonders ein Problem in den wirtschaftlichen Abhängigkeiten afrikanischer Staaten von Europa, welche durch den Ukraine-Krieg verstärkt wurden.
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Letters to Europe - African Youth Perspectives on the Future Afro - Euro Relations
What do young people think about Afro-Euro relations? Young voices from Africa representing the African Leadership Academy (ALA) speak under the global dialogue giving insights on what they think the future corporations between Africa and the EU should be. This, as the EU seeks solutions to geo-political challenges of our time. The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom has been running the global dialogue since 2022.
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Ndeye Fatou Mboup: Empowering agriculture with technology in Senegal
Driven by her desire to address challenges faced by farmers in preserving their crops, Ndeye established a groundbreaking startup, The Smart Granary. Their flagship product is an ecological and intelligent device that offers farmers an automated ventilation system, enabling them to extend the lifespan of their crops. By detecting unfavourable temperature conditions, the device helps prevent spoilage and wastage, empowering farmers to save time and maximise their profits.
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The Perception of the Ukraine War Among African Populations
A survey commissioned by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom finds that 77% of Tanzanians are against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, despite the government’s refusal to condemn the war at the UN. The finding is reflective of a broader pattern across Eastern and Southern Africa, which highlights the increasing disconnect between citizens views, and the actions, or lack thereof, of their representatives at the national level.
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Why we need to take sides
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom opens its new office in Johannesburg at a time when there is much debate about the value of that very freedom. A value, that is indispensable for the self determined development of human beings and for democracy. The list of dictatorial regimes that oppress their people remains consistently long. African countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Libya and the Central African Republic are consumed by brutal civil wars.
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Concerns rife over shrinking press freedom in Kenya
Media practioners in Kenya have raised concerns over growing threats and attacks on journalists and media organisations with the regime change since September this year. In what is seen as direct onslaught on the media and infringement on press freedom, journalists, editors and media associations say there is course for worry as the media and journalists are unable to execute their duties professionally and independently since the August 2022 General Election.
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A President Under Enormous Pressure
Many believe that President Ramaphosa would be the only one who can save the party from electoral disaster, but a scathing report released in November, with just over two weeks to go to the conference, exposed Ramaphosa as potentially much less clean than the corruption-fighting leader he has thus far been. The report - compiled by an independent panel appointed by parliament and headed by a retired chief justice found that there might be grounds for impeachment.
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Dr Nasra Nassor Omar’s path has never followed a straight line. From treating patients in the clinics of Zanzibar to navigating the realities of grassroots politics, her journey shows what determination looks like when public service becomes a calling. In this conversation, Nasra reflects on her early inspiration to join politics back in 2015, her years volunteering at party level, and the lessons she learned as her party transitioned from CUF to ACT Wazalendo. She also speaks openly about the pressures young women face in Tanzania’s political environment, an environment where merit often takes a back seat to loyalty. Today, Nasra stands as a newly sworn-in Member of Parliament following the October 2025 elections. She shares what it means to step into this role while still holding her identity as a medical doctor, and how both worlds have shaped her leadership. Nasra is an alumna of the Africa Liberal Network’s inaugural Women Leadership Programme (2019) and the IAF Academy, experiences that broadened her exposure and deepened her belief in mentorship and intergenerational learning. Now, she is committed to using her platform to expand opportunities for women and youth, whether through economic empowerment, fair access to land and loans, or increased political participation. She also touches on Tanzania’s current political climate, her hopes for stability, and the responsibility she believes leaders carry in strengthening democracy. This is more than a political journey. It’s the story of someone choosing to stand in two worlds, medicine and politics, not because it is easy, but because her country needs both.
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At the end of August 2025, Candace Eslick stepped onto the Falling Walls Lab Cape Town stage and shared a project close to her heart: Breaking the Wall of Clean Cooking in Africa. Her passion and clarity earned her the top spot and a ticket to Berlin, where she joined young innovators from around the world on 6 November. In this video, Candace talks about what clean cooking really means for African families, why access to safe and modern cooking fuels matters, and how the experience of being surrounded by like-minded researchers opened her eyes to what’s possible. She also reflects on the value of genuine collaboration between Africa and Germany, and why African voices need to be part of the decisions shaping the future. You’ll also hear from other African participants speaking about the “walls” they are breaking in their own fields, from energy access and agriculture to women’s visibility in science. A reminder that breaking walls is not just about innovation, it’s about people, community, and creating space for new voices to be heard.
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Botswana’s diamonds shaped a nation, but what does responsible mining really look like in today’s ESG-driven world? 💎🌍 In this last episode of Season 6, we unpack the industry’s impact, the rising pressure for ethical sourcing, and what it means for Africa’s future. 🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://iono.fm/e/1622313
