Africa Policy Journal

The Africa Policy Journal promoted dialogue about African policy and current affairs in the areas of business, culture, design, education, governance, health, and law. The journal was founded at Harvard Kennedy School in 2006 but later expanded to all schools at Harvard University.

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Nigerian Diplomat Implores African Countries to Leverage African Union Platform for Negotiations with Major Powers

05.13.23

In a recent interview with Africa Policy Journal, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Yahya Lawal emphasized the importance of African unity and collaboration in order to effectively leverage relationships with major powers. Ambassador Lawal highlighted the African Union’s Agenda 2063, a comprehensive plan that takes into account the interests of African countries.  He […]

International Relations and Security

Ghana’s Vice President charts a new course for Africa’s growth on its own terms

04.16.23

Ghana’s Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, addressed the African Development Conference organized by Harvard Kennedy School’s Africa Caucus and Harvard Law Students Association in Cambridge,Massachusetts, emphasizing the importance of Africa charting its own course towards a more prosperous and inclusive future. The conference’s theme, “Reimagining Africa’s growth on our terms,” was described as timely and […]

International Relations and Security

Zimbabwe’s Ambassador Urges Africa’s Seat at the Table and an End to US Sanctions

04.14.23

Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to the United States, Mr. Tadeous Chifamba, recently spoke with the Africa Policy Journal in an exclusive interview, discussing various issues related to Africa’s relationships with superpowers. Ambassador Chifamba emphasized the importance of Africa being seen as an equal partner, rather than prey, and having a seat at the table. The interview was […]

Harvard Professor Champions Promotion of African Languages Through AI

04.8.23

The launching of Chat GPT by Open AI has sparked a heated debate about the future of language. Chat GPT is an AI-driven powered chatbot that allows people to have human-like conversations.  In an exclusive interview with the Editor-in-Chief of the African Policy Journal (APJ), Muhammad Jameel Yusha’u, John Mugane, Professor of the Practice of […]

Harvard’s Agbiboa Calls for Prioritization of Citizen Voices in Informal Transport Policy-Making in Africa

04.2.23

Daniel Agbiboa, an assistant professor of African and African American studies at Harvard University, has called on African policymakers to prioritize people’s voices when enacting policies concerning the informal transport sector in Africa. Speaking during an interactive program hosted by Africa Policy Journal, Professor Agbiboa highlighted the importance of considering the views of ordinary citizens […]

African health conference sparks conversation on healthcare development in Africa

02.23.23

The Harvard Chan School of Public Health recently hosted the first-ever Africa Health Conference from February 18th to 19th, 2023, bringing together students, faculty, activists, global health leaders, and a community of scholars. Organized by the Harvard Chan Africa Health Students Forum, the conference aimed to celebrate successes in healthcare across the continent while also […]

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala urges African countries to develop digital trade regulations

02.20.23

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), recently spoke in an exclusive interview with Africa Policy Journal, calling on African nations to develop regulations to promote digital trade and e-commerce on the continent. She praised the efforts of young people who are engaging in digital trade and stressed the importance of […]

AI-Powered robotaxi service promising for cheaper fares, reveals Zoox CEO Aicha Evans

02.3.23

Zoox CEO Aicha Evans has highlighted the potential benefits of introducing self-driving “robotaxi” services, including reduced fares for passengers.  Speaking at the Harvard Kennedy School as part of the CEO Talks series, Evans explained that passengers spend huge amount on current ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft, adding that  80 cents of every dollar goes to the driver.  […]

Science, Technology and Data

New generation of African leaders must speak truth to power-Sam Jonah

01.1.23

For African countries to address their political, economic and development challenges, the new generation of leaders from the continent must speak truth to power. This was the opinion of Sir Sam Jonah, the CEO of Jonah Capital during an interview with Africa Policy Journal’s Enitan Okedji, Lead Interview Editor (Policy Engagement).  Sam Jonah was in […]

Is AfCFTA a necessary condition for structural transformation in Africa?

12.28.22

Despite the scintillating promises it holds, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is only a necessary, not a sufficient condition for a structural transformation and global convergence of Africa. The substantial efforts to pass the sufficient test rest upon transcending the colonial model of resource extraction economy.  In a blow to the gravity trade […]

Can African countries skip manufacturing in the journey to achieve economic development?

12.23.22

One of the debates among economic development experts is whether the African continent can skip manufacturing and move into the service industry to achieve economic development. Africa is blessed with abundant land and other natural resources, yet the continent is still grappling with myriad of challenges such as of food security and lack of sufficient […]

South Africa needs massive social investment to address development challenges

11.16.22

South Africa needs massive social investment in education and basic infrastructure if the country is to address its current development challenges. The Executive Director, Center for Development and Enterprise, South Africa, Ann Bernstein, stated this during the Growth Lab Development Talks at the Harvard Kennedy School. The theme of her talk was “The Role of […]

Education, Training and Labor

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