Why the U.S. Needs an Africa Strategy, With Michelle Gavin

The President’s Inbox

Council on Foreign Relations

Politics, News:politics, News

4.4 • 734 Ratings

🗓️ 27 May 2026

⏱️ 35 minutes

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Summary

This episode unpacks how Africa's demographic surge, critical mineral wealth, and expanding security threats are reshaping its relevance to U.S. foreign policy in the twenty-first century. Host: James M. Lindsay, Mary and David Boies Distinguished Senior Fellow in U.S. Foreign Policy, CFR Guest: Michelle Gavin, Ralph Bunche Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies, CFR We Discuss: Why U.S. policy has historically treated engagement with Africa as an option rather than a strategic priority. How Africa's demographic growth is reshaping its position in the global order. Why maritime chokepoints around Africa are increasingly critical to global commerce. How other powers, including China, Turkey, and the Gulf states, are outpacing the United States in building African partnerships. What Africa's critical mineral resources mean for the green transition and for African domestic politics. How the United States can balance working with political elites while remaining relevant to broader African publics. What the diminished U.S. response to the current Ebola outbreak reveals about American policy choices. Why job creation should be the organizing principle for any coherent U.S. strategy toward the continent. Mentioned on the Episode: Michelle Gavin, "The New African Power Map," cfr.org Michelle Gavin, The Age of Change: How Urban Youth Are Transforming African Politics For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President’s Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/presidents-inbox/why-the-us-needs-an-africa-strategy Opinions expressed on The President’s Inbox are solely those of the host or guests, not of CFR, which takes no institutional positions on matters of policy.

Transcript

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0:00.0	This mismatch between demographic might and economic returns will unquestionably be kind of at the center of where Africa belongs in some kind of restructured global order.
0:17.5	African states face major challenges in the 21st century.
0:21.6	One thing, however, is certain the continent's influence on the global stage is growing.
0:26.6	By 2050, Nigeria's population is expected to become the third largest country in the world.
0:31.6	No continent is richer in natural resources than Africa.
0:35.6	Johannesburg prepares to host the first G20 summit on the African continent.
0:40.0	The ability of the United States to succeed in an era of geopolitical competition
0:44.7	will depend in part on Washington's ability to deepen its engagement with African states,
0:50.4	form lasting relationships with its leaders and people and understand the continent's priorities.
0:56.5	What issues should U.S. policymakers focus on today? Where on the continent should they direct their
1:01.3	efforts? And what could the consequences be if the United States fails to make Africa and Africans
1:06.5	a foreign policy priority? From the Council on Foreign Relations, welcome to the President's Inbox.
1:13.3	I'm Jim Lindsay.
1:14.6	Today I am joined by Michelle Gavin, the Ralph Bunch Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies,
1:20.4	here at the Council.
1:21.7	Michelle, thank you for coming back on the President's Inbox.
1:24.9	Thanks so much for having me.
1:27.2	Michelle, you are participating in a new
1:29.6	Council on Foreign Relations Initiative on the Future of American Strategy. It's an effort to think
1:35.8	through how the United States should adapt its foreign policies to a changing global order.
1:42.6	In reading the essay, you wrote for the initiative's launch, I was
1:46.3	struck by your conclusion that the United States needs to leave its anachronistic and dismissive
	...

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