We’re hiring: Senior Officer, Africa, Global Partnership Development in our Nairobi, Kenya office! 📍Nairobi, Kenya. 📅Deadline - June 22, 2026 Click here to apply: gatesfoundation.wd1.myworkda… In this role, you will lead the foundation's approach to African philanthropy, building and managing high-value partnerships to advance global health and development across the continent. The role requires deep contextual knowledge of how philanthropy, business, and civil society intersect across Sub-Saharan Africa, and the proven ability to design and execute ambitious partnership strategies across issue areas and geographies. You will build and manage a robust pipeline of African philanthropic partnerships and play an active role in managing and growing relationships connected to the Giving Pledge. We welcome candidates from business, finance, investment, international development, or NGO backgrounds with deep knowledge of the African philanthropic, business, and civil society landscape. A minimum 7 years of experience in complex partnership development, major gifts fundraising, business development, resource mobilization, investment, or strategic relationship management is required.  Learn more about our work in Africa - gatesfoundation.org/our-work…

The Global South is 88% of the world's population but holds just 3% of global AI compute. That gap, more than who uses AI, is what will define the global AI divide. This according to @LandrySigne of @BrookingsInst in a recent commentary. His point is that the divide runs through the inputs rather than usage, in data centers, energy supply, and who writes the governance rules. Less than 10% of global AI governance frameworks originate in the Global South. Signé sees a way through in South-South cooperation, renewable energy advantages, and sovereign infrastructure like India's public GPU pool. He argues the divide is not inevitable, but the choices that decide it are being made now. brookings.edu/articles/how-t…

Delighted to join a roundtable at the @WorldBankGroup on mining, metals, and the jobs agenda. Many thanks to Amb. @RoyaRahmani, Director of Global Engagement at the World Bank Group, for the kind invitation and leadership in convening this timely dialogue, and to Namrata Thapar, World Bank Group Director for Metals and Minerals, for sharing her perspectives, supported by colleagues Robert Schlotterer and Aniruddha Roy. Looking forward to exchanging ideas with fellow researchers and thought leaders on how critical minerals can advance jobs, sustainable development, and economic transformation. Congratulations to the WBG Global Engagement Team for organizing this important conversation, including Roya Rahmani, Carolina Hoyos Lievano, Borja Prado, and Matt Van Etten. #CriticalMinerals #Africa #Jobs #GlobalDevelopment #WorldBank @BrookingsInst @BrookingsGlobal @Thunderbird

It was a pleasure to welcome H.E. Ambassador Mathilde Mukantabana of Rwanda, Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps in Washington, D.C., to the Foresight Africa Podcast. Africa is not just a continent of immense potential. It is already one of the world's most compelling economic and strategic partners. As our conversation highlighted, the path forward is increasingly one of trade, investment, and mutually beneficial partnerships, not aid alone. Thank you, Ambassador Mukantabana, for your leadership and for sharing your insights on U.S.–Africa relations through the lenses of the African Union and Africa Day. 🎥 Short video: youtube.com/shorts/p-iPQEZR5… #ForesightAfrica #Africa #USAfrica #TradeNotAid #AfricanUnion #EconomicDevelopment #GlobalLeadership @BrookingsInst @BrookingsGlobal @Thunderbird

*New* The global AI divide is widening faster than most governments and leaders are prepared for. Here’s what it will take to bridge it. Artificial intelligence is already reshaping productivity, governance, and innovation at unprecedented speed. Yet its benefits are increasingly concentrated in a small number of countries and firms, raising urgent questions about inequality in the digital age and the future structure of the global economy. In a new Brookings analysis, How to Bridge the Global AI Divide, I explore why this divide is emerging, why it matters for global development and stability, and what it will take to bridge it before it becomes entrenched. The concern is not only technological, it also cuts across geopolitics, geoeconomics, and development, and is increasingly tied to shifting global power dynamics. Read here: brookings.edu/articles/how-t… Do you see AI as a force for convergence, or the beginning of a deeper global divergence? #ArtificialIntelligence #GlobalDevelopment #DigitalTransformation #AI #Innovation #GlobalGovernance #Africa @BrookingsInst @BrookingsGov @BrookingsGlobal @Thunderbird

For investors seeking both returns and impact, Africa’s pharmaceutical transformation and its far-reaching value chain represent a generational opportunity to build health security infrastructure for 1.5 billion people, @LandrySigne writes. brookings.edu/articles/reali…

What if the global race for critical minerals became one of the greatest catalysts for Africa’s prosperity? In my latest Brookings article, I explore how African countries can transform this moment of intense global competition into a foundation for long-term prosperity and shared growth. Africa possesses many of the resources powering the world’s energy transition and technological future. Yet the greatest opportunity lies not in exporting raw materials, but in creating value through industrialization, innovation, regional integration, and transformational leadership. If managed strategically, the global mineral rush could help accelerate job creation, economic diversification, infrastructure development, and Africa’s emergence as a leading force in the global economy. Read more here: brookings.edu/articles/how-a… #Africa #CriticalMinerals #EconomicTransformation #Industrialization #AfCFTA #Innovation #Leadership #Prosperity #Development #Brookings @BrookingsInst @BrookingsGlobal @Thunderbird

The shortlist is here. 📚 Meet the nominees for the BCA African Business Book of the Year 2026: Afro-Optimism Unleashed by Adeolu Adewumi-Zer How Africa Eats by Professor David Luke Realizing Africa's Potential: A Journey to Prosperity by Landry Signé How We Made It in Africa II by Jaco Martiz How Africa Works by Joe Studwell Making It Big: Lessons from a Life in Business by Femi Otedola Cultural Confluence in Organizational Change by Alette Vonk & Vasco Freitas Silva It's About Tyme by Adrian Saville & Bruce Whitfield Who will take the title? Find out on the 3rd of July 2026

What will it take for Africa to become one of the world's leading engines of growth and prosperity? I am deeply grateful to the @Bcafrica1, @africa_finance, @AfricanBizMag, @NewAfricanMag, and @brandcomms for recognizing my book, "Realizing Africa’s Potential: A Journey to Prosperity," with a nomination for the 2026 BCA African Business Book of the Year Award. The book argues that #Africa can become a leading force in the global economy by harnessing its talent, strengthening institutions, accelerating innovation, leveraging its resources, expanding business and trade in strategic sectors, deepening continental integration, and advancing transformational leadership. More than a story of potential, it is a call to action for building a more prosperous, inclusive, and globally competitive Africa. Learn more about the book here: brookings.edu/books/realizin… #Africa #AfricanDevelopment #EconomicDevelopment #Prosperity #Books #Policy #Brookings #Research #Leadership #DevelopmentFinance @BrookingsInst @BrookingsGlobal @BrookingsPress @Thunderbird

I am delighted to share my latest piece, Realizing Africa’s Pharmaceutical Potential. This topic is particularly important to me because it sits at the intersection of three urgent priorities for Africa and the global economy: health security, industrial transformation, and strategic sovereignty. Africa has long been a major importer of medicines, but this is changing. The continent is increasingly positioned to move up the pharmaceutical value chain—not only as a consumer, but as a producer, innovator, and key node in global supply systems. In the piece, I explore what it will take to accelerate this transition: strengthening regulatory capacity, scaling local manufacturing, deepening regional integration through the AfCFTA, and building stronger partnerships between governments, the private sector, and development institutions. The opportunity is both economic and deeply human: expanding access to affordable, high-quality medicines while building new engines of growth and jobs across the continent. I would be very interested in your thoughts. Read the full article here: brookings.edu/articles/reali… #Africa #Health #Pharmaceuticals #Industrialization #AfCFTA #PublicHealth #Innovation #Development #GlobalHealth #EconomicTransformation @BrookingsGlobal @BrookingsInst @Thunderbird

Ranking Member @RepGregoryMeeks sat down with @BrookingsInst's @LandrySigne to discuss Africa Day, Pan-African unity, and his ongoing work on the Foreign Affairs Committee to strengthen ties between the US and the African continent. ⬇️

Delighted to have spoken during the session “Governing AI Agents: Are Existing AI Frameworks Fit for Purpose?” organized by the World Economic Forum at the AI Expo this month, where we explored some of the most pressing questions surrounding the future of AI governance and the rapidly evolving landscape of AI agents. As AI agents become increasingly sophisticated and integrated into decision-making systems, governance is evolving from static oversight of models toward more dynamic governance of interconnected systems. As these technologies continue to advance, ensuring that governance mechanisms evolve at the same pace will be essential. Several important themes emerged throughout our discussion: the need to translate existing principles and frameworks into practical and operational mechanisms; the importance of shared accountability, human oversight, traceability, interoperability, and real-time intervention; and the critical role of global collaboration in shaping responsible and effective AI systems. An equally important dimension of our conversation centered on the Global South. AI has the potential either to deepen existing inequalities or accelerate development and shared prosperity, depending on access to infrastructure, skills, financing, and fit-for-purpose governance frameworks. Advancing open, locally relevant, efficient, and multilingual AI solutions—supported by strong public-private partnerships, capacity building, and accountability mechanisms—will be essential. Grateful for the opportunity to exchange ideas with such outstanding colleagues and leaders. Many thanks to Mr. Okazaki, Minister Counsellor for Economic Affairs at the Japan Embassy, for opening the discussion; to Karla Yee Amezaga, Initiatives Lead for AI and Data Governance at the Centre for AI Excellence at the World Economic Forum, for a thoughtful and engaging moderation; to my distinguished fellow panelists Melika Carroll, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Cohere, and Alexandra Reeve Givens, Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Democracy and Technology; and to Ariella Inglese, AI Governance and International Collaboration Specialist, for bringing the discussion to an inspiring close. Looking forward to continuing these important conversations and strengthening collaboration around inclusive, responsible, and effective AI governance. #AI #AIGovernance #ArtificialIntelligence #AIAgents #GlobalGovernance #Innovation #Leadership #Technology #GlobalAffairs #Development #AIExpo @BrookingsGlobal @BrookingsInst @Thunderbird

At the Hoover Institution, Stanford University’s Commons Project looking at Africa’s role and voice in the emerging new global economic and political order. Many thanks to Dr Jendayi Frazer (Distinguished Visiting Fellow at Hoover @JendayiFrazer) for organizing an intellectually stimulating, solutions focused, conversation including on Africa’s potential for value addition and increased trade. Also with H.E Linda Thomas-Greenfield @LindaT_G - former U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Dr @SongweVera - Chair of the Liquidity and Sustainability Facility, Dr @LandrySigne, Sanjeev Khagram, Larry Diamond, Gargee Ghosh, General William Ward, Zainab Usman and others.

“The focus today is on moving from aid to trade.” For Africa Day, Rwandan Ambassador to the U.S. @AmbMukantabana joined @LandrySigne on the Foresight Africa podcast to discuss U.S.-Africa relations through a continental lens.

Celebrating Africa Day: U.S. Congressman Meeks shares what Africa Day means for the United States, the African diaspora, and him personally—a thoughtful reflection on the importance of U.S.-Africa relations, shared values, and our interconnected future. I also had a fruitful conversation with him on these important issues and on the future of U.S.-Africa engagement. As Africa’s global role continues to grow, strong partnerships and meaningful dialogue remain essential. More to come. Watch here: youtube.com/shorts/-PRctMyR1… #AfricaDay #USAfrica #Africa #Diaspora #Leadership #Policy #GlobalAffairs #Development #Partnership #ForesightAfrica

On this Memorial Day, I join many in honoring and remembering the brave women and men who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. Their courage, commitment, and dedication continue to inspire us and remind us of the values of service, responsibility, and shared humanity. As we gather with family and loved ones, may we also take a moment to reflect with gratitude on those whose sacrifices have made so much possible. #MemorialDay #Remembrance #Leadership #Service

Celebrating Africa Day: Strengthening U.S.-Africa Relations through a Continental Approach Delighted to sit down with H.E. Mathilde Mukantabana, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to the United States and Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps in Washington, D.C., on Episode 5 of the Foresight Africa podcast to discuss the future of U.S.-Africa relations through the lenses of the African Union and Africa Day. As Africa’s role in the global economy continues to expand, strengthening partnerships requires a continental perspective, long-term vision, and a renewed commitment to mutually beneficial engagement. One message emerged strongly throughout our discussion: “trade, not aid.” We explored opportunities, priorities, and pathways for advancing prosperity, investment, innovation, and shared growth while building stronger partnerships between Africa and the United States. Read or listen here: brookings.edu/articles/afric… #ForesightAfrica #AfricaDay #USAfricaRelations #Africa #Leadership #Trade #EconomicDevelopment #Policy #GlobalAffairs #AfricanUnion @BrookingsGlobal @BrookingsInst @_AfricanUnion @AmbMukantabana @RwandaInUSA

Ahead of Africa Day, @LandrySigne talks with @AmbMukantabana, ambassador of Rwanda to the U.S. and dean of the African Diplomatic Corps, to discuss how African governments are coordinating their diplomatic efforts in response to new priorities and opportunities. Listen to the new Foresight Africa episode 🎧 brookings.edu/articles/afric…

As we mark #AfricaDay2026, @AmbMukantabana spoke with @LandrySigne at @BrookingsInst and @BrookingsGlobal on advancing shared strategic and economic priorities between USA and African Countries on the continent. brookings.edu/articles/afric…

U.S. Congressman @GregMeeksNYC shares what Africa Day means for the United States, the African diaspora, and him personally. A thoughtful reflection on the importance of U.S.-Africa relations, shared values, and our interconnected future. I also had a fruitful conversation with him on these important issues and the future of U.S.-Africa engagement. More to come. Watch here: youtube.com/shorts/-PRctMyR1… #AfricaDay #USAfrica #Africa #Diaspora #Leadership #Policy #GlobalAffairs #Development #Partnership #ForesightAfrica @BrookingsGlobal @BrookingsInst @_AfricanUnion