October 2012

(Foreign Affairs) — Africa is more important than ever to the United States. The continent, home to six of the world’s ten fastest-growing economies, is booming. And democracy has become the African norm rather than the exception. This year alone, no fewer than fifteen sub-Saharan countries will hold elections. With their combination of liberal politics […]

By William Davison in Addis Ababa The Ethiopian deputy prime minister took over on the death of Premier Meles and began implementing policies that are softer on the media and promote dialogue with rebel groups. It remains to be seen whether he has the same mettle as his predecessor. Hailemariam Desalegn, an amiable sanitation engineer

By Ekow Quandzie The African Development Fund of the African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved $348 million in funding for the $1.26 billion electricity highway project between Kenya and Ethiopia. The bank approved the funds Thursday, September 20, 2012. Due for commissioning in November 2017, the project involves the construction of a 1,068-kilometre high-voltage direct