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 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.

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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) […]

#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 […]

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 […]

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 […]