The end of AGOA
A postmortem on the African Growth and Opportunities Act.
trade
Between Washington and Beijing
Amid Trump’s tariffs, Africa faces trade disruptions, corporate power, and emerging partnerships in its quest to control its economic destiny.
The global gateway to nowhere
Europe’s flagship development plan promises investment and partnership—but delivers debt, displacement, and old colonial patterns dressed up in green.
Trump tariffs and US Imperialism
Trump’s April 2025 tariff blitz ignited market chaos and deepened rifts within his own coalition. Beneath the turmoil lies a battle between technocrats, ultranationalists, and anti-imperial populists, all vying to reshape—or destroy—American global power.
Tariffs, Trump, and the Global South
Trump’s trade war is framed as a battle with China—but its fallout is exposing just how little power African economies have in a rigged global system.
New route for old exploitation
A US-backed infrastructure project in the DRC is framed as development, but history suggests it’s just another pipeline for foreign powers to profit from Congo’s riches.
Not exactly at arm’s length
Despite South Africa’s ban on arms exports to Israel and its condemnation of Israel’s actions in Palestine, local arms companies continue to send weapons to Israel’s allies and its major arms suppliers.
What does Africa want?
To navigate multipolarity, the continent needs a common narrative that strategically mediates its conversations with China and other world powers.
A slow emancipation
What peanut trading in late 19th century Senegal tells us about the fine line between slavery and freedom.
A crop that changed the world
The story about peanuts, and the people who grew it at the margins of an empire in 19th century West Africa, then the most abundant source of the world’s most important oilseed.
Uhuru Kenyatta can’t have his cake and eat it too
The current leadership in Kenya is made up of individuals whose personal interests run through virtually every sector of Kenya’s economy. Including when they negotiate trade deals.
Eritrea and Ethiopia’s economic dividend
What economic gains are in the peace deal between longstanding foes?
Full steam ahead
Is there a future for industrialization on the African continent?
The Ghost of the IMF’s Past
The IMF’s latest tussle with the government of Mozambique and Voodoo Economics are among our #WeekendSpecials
The emperor gets a new wardrobe
African political elites will continue to use the spoils of "development" and aid to serve their personal interests.
Like a bad joke
Israel's arms exports to African countries has more than doubled in the last four years: African countries spent $223m on Israeli arms in 2013 compared to $107m in 2012.
The Fairtrade Façade
What are we to do, as consumers, if Fairtrade is little more than a marketing gimmick? Should we avoid products marked with its logo? Are we being conned?
When China Met Africa
An exploration of China's presence in Zambia, including suspicion, tensions and possibilities for collaboration.
There are more cell phones in Africa than India
For Canada's Conservative Party government Africa has moved from disaster and aid to opportunity. An actual Canadian government said the above.
The geo-branding war
Geo-branding is a serious thing. It is particularly serious when people from other geographic areas decide