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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Claude Grunitzky

Claude Grunitzky on his journey as an African entrepreneur

03.10.22

In this #APJChat, Africa Policy Journal Editor-In-Chief Ada Ezeokoli speaks with Claude Grunitzky, CEO and Managing Partner of The Equity Alliance Fund, and Founder of TRUE Africa, about his journey as a serial entrepreneur, and what he hopes to contribute to building Africa’s future.

Development and Economic Growth
Cover Page APJFiresideChat

Chat with Rt. Honourable Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima, VP, Republic of Malawi

03.10.22

In this Africa Policy Journal Fireside Chat, Public Policy and African Studies Lecturer, Prof. Zoe Marks of the Harvard Kennedy School, explores the role of agriculture, technology, and entrepreneurship in harnessing the potential of Africa’s young people, in conversation with Right Honourable Dr. Saulos Chilima, Vice President of the Republic of Malawi. Dr. Chilima has […]

Business and Regulation
Cover Page

There’s no such thing as a free lunch: Why African economies should be concerned about impending automation

02.25.22

Notwithstanding COVID-19’s sudden and damaging blemish on African Foreign Direct Investment, the continent has been subject to consistently increasing foreign investment in recent history. From US$ 1.1 billion per year in the 1970s to US$ 2.2 billion in the 1980s to more than US$ 35 billion on average during the 2000-2008 period, multinationals are looking […]

Cover Page Mobile Money

Using mobile money to increase enterprises’ sectorial turnover

01.21.22

Improving the performance of enterprises is crucial for developing countries in general and African countries in particular. African countries are characterized by a large number of enterprises that contribute to their achievement of sustainable development goals by creating jobs, accelerating industrialization, increasing economic growth, and improving the well-being of populations. However, enterprise performance is generally […]

Uncategorized

Red Lists, Black Lists & Travel Bans: Solidarity and not Stigmatization can Combat COVID-19

01.6.22

The UK Government recently abandoned its controversial red list, which had only allowed UK citizens or residents traveling into the UK from Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, but not residents of those countries. The UK Government has now deemed the policy “no longer effective or proportionate” as […]

A doctor and researcher holding up a vial

Road to UHC: African leaders must build on lessons from COVID-19 to achieve Universal Health Coverage

12.18.21

The goals of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) are laudable, but  also ambitious and complex. Achieving a world in which all people get the health services they need without financial hardship requires bold actions from governments.   In practice, this means that countries must be capable of ensuring the continuity of essential health services while addressing […]

Photo of al-shabab

Like Afghanistan, U.S. withdrawal from Somalia signals conflict fatigue, with potentially serious consequences for East Africa

12.3.21

By Kevin Uniacke Former U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker recently led a Zoom speaking engagement at the Harvard Kennedy School. The Ambassador discussed the consequences of the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, drawing on his extensive diplomatic experience as a Foreign Service Officer for over 37 years and an Ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Pakistan, […]

The Silent Pandemic: Legislative Reforms to Protect Nigerian Minds During COVID-19

10.19.21

Officials tackling the coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria have recognized the impact of COVID-19 on citizens’ mental health. In June, Nigeria’s Chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha, noted that stigmatization and mental health were among the greatest challenges to the national response. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Director-General echoed this notion, […]

Healthcare

COVID-19 Pandemic: Digital Financial Inclusion as Public Health Tool in Africa

10.11.21

Financial inclusion is a particularly serious issue in Africa.  In 2018, only 43 percent of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa was financially included.1 The rate of financial exclusion is highest among the most marginalized communities: women, young people, and those with low levels of education, low-income and rural populations.   The 2019 novel coronavirus disease (henceforth, Covid-19) […]

Healthcare

#EndSARS, #EndEverything and the Bitter-sweet Experience of Being a Young Nigerian in Nigeria

10.2.21

Background Nigerian youths have for too long been heartbroken, marginalized and ignored by the very system they elected to keep the peace, ensure progress, protect their lives, and promote their common interests. The #EndSARS movement which really began in 2017 took a dramatic turn in 2020, for several reasons, chief of which was the irresponsiveness […]

Human Rights

Interview with Dr. Celestin Monga (Former Chief Economist and Vice-President of the Africa Development Bank Group)

03.11.21

During a recent interview, Dr. Celestin Monga (currently a visiting professor at the Harvard Kennedy School) answered questions from APJ’s Lead Interview Editor, Brice Ngameni. Dr. Monga discussed development prospects on the African continent and shed light on the voluntarist development framework he advocates, New Structural Economics. According to this seasoned development practitioner, “the problem […]

Social Innovation and Philanthropy

Interview with Akintoye Akindele On Africa and The Global Economy

02.28.21

Recently APJ had the honor and pleasure of speaking with Dr. Akintoye Akindele, Chairman of Platform Capital Group. Our own Interview Editors Abosede Alimi and Tahany Maalla probed his passion for entrepreneurship, his convictions about the future of Africa & her role in the global economy, and his role as a critical player in that […]

Social Innovation and Philanthropy

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