Breaking Away from Economic Dependency in Africa

A Conversation with U.N. Assistant Secretary-General Ahunna Eziakonwa

(Pour suivre cet événement en français, veuillez visiter le site )

The war in Ukraine, the socioeconomic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impacts of climate change all threaten Africa's development progress, including the 2030 U.N. Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union's Agenda 2063. This trifecta of crises has instigated or exacerbated trade disruption, food and fuel price spikes, macroeconomic instability, and security challenges — with vulnerable groups bearing a heavy brunt of the swift and hard-hitting effects. Left unchecked, the situation could trigger social tensions, undermine democratization, and fuel political instability. But while these concerns are well-founded, the current upheaval also offers African countries the chance to build economic and other capacities from within.

The Russian-Ukrainian war, in particular, has upended long-term trends on the continent. Although some African countries may benefit from a shift in global markets away from Russia, the short-term impact on economic livelihoods could be devastating. As it stands, debt distress and economic inequality stand to increase — factors that could constrain overall economic activity on the continent. Meanwhile, the war also has major implications for pan-African solidarity and adherence to multilateralism, as weakened multilateralism in Africa would unravel significant development progress achieved over the past few decades and roll back gains made in fighting COVID-19 globally.

USIP hosted a conversation on how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the COVID-19 pandemic, and climate change have shifted Africa’s development situation. The discussion also looked at how the international development community can collaborate with the continent so that Africans exit this turbulent period with a newfound capacity for developing their own economic future.

Continue the conversation on Twitter with #AfricasEconomicFuture. For more information about this event, please visit

Speakers:

Dr. Joseph Sany, welcoming remarks

Vice President, Africa Center, U.S. Institute of Peace

Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa

U.N. Assistant- Secretary- General; U.N. Development Programme’s Assistant Administrator and Regional Bureau for Africa Director

Ambassador Johnnie Carson

Senior Advisor, U.S. Institute of Peace

Dr. Zainab Usman

Director, Africa Program, Carnegie Endowment for Peace (TBC)

Oge Onubogu, moderator

Director, West Africa Programs, U.S. Institute of Peace

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The United States Institute of Peace is a national, nonpartisan, independent institute, founded by Congress and dedicated to the proposition that a world without violent conflict is possible, practical and essential for U.S. and global security. In conflict zones abroad, the Institute works with local partners to prevent, mitigate, and resolve violent conflict. To reduce future crises and the need for costly interventions, USIP works with governments and civil societies to build local capacities to manage conflict peacefully. The Institute pursues its mission by linking research, policy, training, analysis and direct action to support those who are working to build a more peaceful, inclusive world. Learn more about USIP