Webinars

The 2022 Freedom in the World report reveals that authoritarianism in on the rise across the world. The COVID-19 pandemic has also influenced an increase in authoritarian regimes and a decline of democracies in Africa. In 2021 a series of coups in West Africa highlight what happens when the so-called democratic leaders use undemocratic strategies to keep themselves in power. Now more than ever, as the crisis in Ukraine has put a spotlight on the devastating effects of authoritarianism, Africa must rethink. In this webinar, our guests will share insights on what the continent can learn from the war in Ukraine.

Dr. Joseph Siegle is the Director of Research at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS). He is an adjunct Senior Research Scholar with the Center for International and Security Studies at the University of Maryland. Dr. Siegle holds a doctorate in international security and economic policy. He has written widely for leading policy journals, and newspapers. His interest and research focus is on the relationship between democratic governance, development, and security.

Professor Nic Cheeseman is a political scientist and professor of democracy at the University of Birmingham. He is the founder of Democracy in Africa, a non-partisan website for breaking news, analysis, the latest reviews, and data on African politics. He is a multi-published author of several books centered on democracy and authoritarianism in Africa. Prominent among his publications is the book Democracy in Africa: Successes, Failures, and the Struggle for Political Reform. His interest and development focus is on African politics, democracy, and elections.

Dr. Thokozani Chilenga-Butao is an academic and a lecturer in the Department of Political Studies, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. She holds a doctorate in political studies. Her interests and research focus are on decentralization and federalism, education governance, and public policy. She is a founding member of the Africa Alpbach Network (AAN).

Alexander C. R. Hammond is the Director of the Initiative for African Trade and Prosperity. He is a research associate at the Vinson Centre at the University of Buckingham. He is also a Free Trade Fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs, a Senior Fellow at African Liberty, and a Fellow at EPICENTER. His interests include writing about African development, economic freedom, global well-being, and British Politics.

According to “Women’s Political Participation: Africa Barometer 2021”, women in parliament in Africa make up just 24% of over 12,000 parliamentarians. The Beijing 1995 declaration and Africa agenda 2063 have mandates that insist on the empowerment of women to achieve gender equality in all spheres of life. Addressing the problem of equality at the local government level has been theorized as a means to include more women in political affairs from the grassroots level. However, numerous women at this level face challenges that keep them from even considering pursuing political positions. Joining us on this webinar session are four guests who have direct understanding of the struggle for equality and empowerment of women in marginalized communities and how these struggle can be overcome.

Wadi Ben-Hirki is a development practitioner, public speaker, and writer. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Wadi Ben-Hirki Foundation. She is presently pursuing a Master’s Degree in International Education and Development at the University of Sussex, as a Chevening Scholar. Wadi has been awarded the Top 10 young people in Africa working towards achieving Gender Justice and Reconciliation Award. Her expertise and development focus is on girl child education, gender equality, peace, and justice.

Wakana Monia is the founder of Ladies of Liberty Alliance(LOLA) in Burundi, Rwanda, and the DRC. She is an Executive Committee member of SFL Africa. She is currently, the Regional Coordinator of Central Africa and Great Lakes Region in African Students For Liberty. Her expertise and development focus is on ending gender-based violence and promoting the economic, political, and social liberation of women.

Sophiyat Sadiq is a youth activist who is passionate about advocating for access to quality education for girls in underserved communities. She is a 2021 BeyGOOD Global Citizen Policy Fellow and A Kofi Annan Foundation Changemaker.

Venessa Yasmin Hanson is a social media specialist, activist, and a team member of the Women in Foreign Policy organization where she serves as the diversity, equity, and inclusion officer. Venessa is passionate about encouraging women from marginalized and underrepresented backgrounds to join in foreign policy conversations.

In 2021 the debt-to-GDP ratio of several Sub-Saharan African countries rose above the threshold for debt sustainability according to the IMF. Much of this is attributed to the increased appetite among African governments towards borrowing for COVID-19 management. In Sub-Saharan Africa, about 5 countries were in debt distress in autumn of 2021 with many more at risk of distress. Although efforts have been made since 2019 to resolve this debt problem, however, more needs to be done. In this webinar, our guests will discuss the dynamics of Africa’s rising public debt, what it means to Africa’s current fiscal system, the need for transparency among African governments, and the possibilities of restructuring and reducing Africa’s debt burden.

Dr. Ayodele Odusola is the resident representative for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in South Africa. Prior to this, he was a senior economist in UNDP Nigeria. Dr. Odusola is an economist, a published author, and a top researcher. His interests and research, focus on national and local economic empowerment and development strategies, human development, and national development. He has served as the African visiting scholar to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Mma Amara Ekeruche is a development economist and a writer. She is a senior research fellow at the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa. Her interests, research, and policy focus cut across development economics, public finance and debt management, macroeconomic and fiscal management. She has served as an IMF Youth Fellow.

Dr. Magalie Masamba is a senior fellow of the African Sovereign Debt Justice Network and has a recent publication on debt management and restructuring in SADC countries. She is currently a post-doctoral research fellow at the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria (South Africa) and the Global Development Policy Center, Boston University (USA). Her research focuses on sovereign debt and its impacts on development.

In this upcoming webinar our guests will share valuable insights on the history of looted artifacts and cultural heritage items, the increased urgency for the restitution of these items in contemporary society, as well as the scope of the challenges that affect the repatriation of arts and artifacts as an issue of property law.

Dr. Yirga Gelaw Woldeyes is a researcher and lecturer at the Centre for Human Rights Education at Curtin University Australia. Dr. Woldeyes specialty, academic and creative interests cover African traditions, Ethiopian philosophy, epistemic justice, issues of looted manuscript repatriation, and the politics of language and belonging. He is an Amharic poet and a published author.

Twitter: @YirgaGelaw.

Leila A. Amineddoleh is an intellectual property attorney. Leila is an advocate for the protection of cultural heritage who has been involved in the return of valuable stolen fine art and looted antiquities. She is the Founding Partner of Amineddoleh & Associates LLC. Her expertise and legal practice focus on art, art crime, cultural heritage, and intellectual property.

Twitter: @LAmineddoleh.

Alexander C. R. Hammond is the Director of the Initiative for African Trade and Prosperity. He is a research associate at the Vinson Centre at the University of Buckingham. He is also a Free Trade Fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs, a Senior Fellow at African Liberty, and a Fellow at EPICENTER. His interests include writing about African development, economic freedom, global well-being, and British Politics.

Nicholas Aderinto is a Writing Fellow at African Liberty. He is a young Nigerian who uses words and digital media to create lasting positive changes in society. He uses his passion for social change to write on various platforms like Face2Face Africa, Tekedia.com, and Legit.ng on issues affecting healthcare in Nigeria, Free Trade, Equality, and Education.

Phumlani Majozi is a business and macroeconomics analyst, writer and commentator on economic, political and global issues. His writings have been published in the City Press, News24, BizNews, African Liberty and Politicsweb. He has been quoted by TIME Magazine, Financial Mail Magazine and AlJazeera. The Financial Mail Magazine also profiled him in its Backstory section in July 2020. In June 2018, he became a Senior Fellow at African Liberty. His appointment involves research and writing on African politics and economics.

Ndubisi Christian Ani is a professional researcher and adviser on International and African Affairs. He is the Senior Regional Advisor on African Security and Strategic Cooperation GIZ-KAIPTC (Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre). Dr. Ani has specialty and experience in policy development. His publications and research interest cover issues of governance, democracy, human rights and security, conflict resolution, social cohesion, youth inclusion, and development. Ovigwe Eguegu is a policy analyst at Development Reimagined — an independent African-led development consultancy. Eguegu has a specialty in geopolitics and geoeconomics with particular reference to Africa in a changing global order. His research and policy analyses aim at realizing political, policy, and systemic solutions to address foreign and security issues in Africa.