Africa boasts some of the fastest-growing economies in the world, but peaceful economic, political, and social gains often falter amid insurgencies, corruption, and poor governance. The continent’s emerging youth bulge presents enormous potential for the continent’s future. In the face of COVID-19, the African Union has come together to establish shared platforms for the health response and to advance discussions on financial support and debt relief needed to address the economic challenges.

At the same time, the pandemic poses complex challenges to implementation of peace agreements and advancing political processes while balancing the public health imperatives. As African countries move toward more open markets and stronger rule of law, the U.S. Institute of Peace has the expertise to help advance these positive trends, leverage new possibilities, and forge a dialogue on a genuine partnership between the United States and Africa to build peace.

USIP recognizes Africa’s critical importance to the United States and the globe. From terrorism to global health challenges to major power competition, the peace and prosperity of Africa is a key U.S. national security priority. As such, over the past decade, together with U.S., local, and international partners, USIP has extended the reach of its Africa programs by delivering on-the-ground training, education, grants, and research to reduce conflict, improve governance, and curb violent extremism. USIP has forged partnerships with African leaders—government, civic, religious, youth, women, and other peacebuilders—to inform policy discussions on prevention and resilience in Washington, D.C. and beyond. 

In pursuit of our mission to prevent, mitigate, and resolve violent conflict, USIP announces the expansion of its efforts on the continent, establishing a center dedicated to Africa to be developed and led by a new member of a USIP’s senior leadership, the vice president of the Africa Center.

“At this pivotal moment for U.S. interests in Africa, establishing the Africa Center will well position USIP for offering its peacebuilding expertise and resources to address the unprecedented challenges the continent faces today,” says USIP President and CEO Nancy Lindborg. “The center will build on the work USIP has being doing in Africa for the last three decades.”

Building on existing efforts in Nigeria, the greater Horn of Africa, the Red Sea arena, and the Sahel, the Africa Center will expand the strategy, structure, and objectives of the Institute’s work on the continent. USIP seeks to seize current opportunities to stem violent conflict in Africa by advancing dialogue and informing policy. Together with local and international partners, the Institute will work to make peace possible.

To learn more about the vice president position, visit our career center.