Shifting Tides: The U.S.-Africa Relationship Amid Global Competition

Panel Information

Day 1 livestream link: https://www.youtube.com/live/K2UOzfp_GJo
Day 2 livestream link: https://www.youtube.com/live/c6VXozjMZUc

All times are Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Please note that the venue changes between days.

DAY 1 — Monday, October 12, 2026
Location: Weiser Hall, Room 1010
500 Church Street, Ann Arbor, MI
Livestream: Watch Day 1 on YouTube

10:15–11:45 am | Panel 1 — African Voices on Global Governance, International Law, and Institutional Reform

Combines African policy and legal perspectives on reforming global governance and the rules-based order. Examines representation and influence within institutions such as the UN, IMF, World Bank, WTO, and ICSID, and how African states and the African Union deploy legal instruments, treaty-making, and voting coalitions to shape global norms. Considers sovereignty, recognition, dispute settlement, development assistance, and non-interference principles in an era of multipolar competition. Highlights African contributions to international law and implications for U.S.–Africa engagement.

Speakers

1. Dr. Joseph Asunka
   Chief Executive Officer, Afrobarometer; Non-Resident Senior Advisor, Perry World House
2. Prof. Hajer Gueldich
   Legal Counsel, African Union; Professor of Law, University of Carthage
3. Dr. Ebenezer Obadare
   Douglas Dillon Senior Fellow for Africa Studies, Council on Foreign Relations
4. Mr. Cameron Hudson
   Political Risk Consultant, 54 Advisors, LLC

Moderator: Ambassador Susan D. Page
Professor of Practice in International Diplomacy, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy; Professor from Practice, Michigan Law School; Director, Weiser Diplomacy Center, University of Michigan

1:00–2:30 pm | Panel 2 — Climate, Innovation, and Human Capital: Navigating Africa's Green Transitions

Examines how climate pressures, demographic trends, and resource endowments drive policy innovation and legal change across the continent. Discusses environmental and climate governance, natural resource and critical mineral policy, labor and mobility frameworks for youth, IP considerations in technology transfer, and the political economy of climate finance. Identifies strategic opportunities for U.S.–Africa cooperation on green industrialization, sustainable energy, and human capital development.

Speakers

1. Mr. Boubacar Bocoum
   Lead Mining Specialist, Policy and Regulation Unit, Metals and Minerals Department, World Bank
2. Dr. Yousif Hassan
   Assistant Professor, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and School of Information, University of Michigan
3. Prof. Eghosa Ekhator
   Associate Professor of International Environmental Law, University of Derby
4. Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju
   Chairman, Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) Resource Centre

Moderator: Dr. Bilal Butt
Professor, School for Environment and Sustainability; Senior Advisor, Center for Global Health Equity, University of Michigan

2:45–4:15 pm | Panel 3 — Migration, Peace and Security in an Age of Uncertainty

Explores shifting security landscapes—from coups in the Sahel to electoral contestation, insurgencies, and maritime insecurity. Integrates policy analysis (peacebuilding, regional security cooperation, counterterrorism assistance, election observation) with relevant legal frameworks (constitutional norms, AU/ECOWAS protocols on unconstitutional changes of government, international humanitarian law, human rights, and sanctions regimes). Assesses implications for U.S.–Africa security cooperation and governance support.

Speakers

1. Dr. Shakirah Hudani
   Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
2. Mr. Jonathan Murithi Mutiga
   Program Director for Africa, International Crisis Group
3. Ms. Cecily Brewer
   Director, Research and Operations, Future of American Strategy, Council on Foreign Relations
4. Dr. Jennifer Giroux
   Founder and Principal, Giroux Impact; Fellow, African Studies Center, University of Michigan

Moderator: Dr. Omolade Adunbi
Professor of Anthropology and Afroamerican and African Studies; Professor of Law (Courtesy); Faculty Associate, Program in the Environment; Director, African Studies Center, University of Michigan

DAY 2 — Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Location: LSA Building, Room 1040
500 South State Street, Ann Arbor, MI
Livestream: Watch Day 2 on YouTube

9:15–10:45 am | Panel 4 — Africa's Economic Future: Trade Integration, Investment, and Growth Pathways

Centers on Africa's economic transformation and emerging growth strategies. Examines the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a driver of intra-African trade, industrialization, and market harmonization. Explores how sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, and financial regulatory reforms could mobilize domestic capital for Africa-to-Africa investment and reduce dependence on external financing. Discusses barriers to investment (infrastructure, risk perception, monetary policy fragmentation), and opportunities in manufacturing, services, and digital trade. Identifies implications for U.S.–Africa economic engagement and the evolving role of development finance institutions.

Speakers

1. Prof. Olufunmilayo Arewa
   Professor of Law, Antonin Scalia Law School, George Mason University
2. Dr. Anita Plummer
   Associate Professor of African Studies; Executive Director, Center for Women, Gender and Global Leadership, Howard University
3. Dr. Howard Stein
   Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies and Epidemiology, University of Michigan
4. Ambassador Rama Yade
   Senior Director, Africa Center; Senior Fellow, Europe Center, Atlantic Council

Moderator: Dr. Laura Beny
Earl Warren DeLano Professor of Law; Associate Director, African Studies Center, University of Michigan

11:00 am–12:30 pm | Panel 5 — Geopolitics and Great Power Competition: Africa's Strategic Positioning

Analyzes how African governments manage external influence and competition among the U.S., China, Russia, the EU, and Gulf States. Considers both policy tools (foreign aid, infrastructure, security partnerships, media engagement) and legal instruments (basing agreements, investment contracts, maritime rules, bilateral treaties). Highlights African agency in strategic non-alignment, the African Union's diplomatic positioning, and how great power competition shapes development outcomes and sovereignty debates.

Speakers

1. Dr. Mo Ibrahim — Participating virtually
   Founder and Chair, Mo Ibrahim Foundation; Co-founder and Co-chair, Africa Europe Foundation
2. Dr. Benedito Machava
   Assistant Professor of History, Yale University
3. Dr. Ibrahim Al-Assil
   Senior Research Fellow, Middle East Initiative, Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School
4. Dr. Joseph Siegle
   Director of Research, Africa Center for Strategic Studies, National Defense University

Moderator: Dr. Kamissa Camara
Professor of Practice, Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan

Faculty Expert

Susan D. Page

Professor of Practice in International Diplomacy at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and Professor from Practice at University of Michigan Law School. Director; Weiser Diplomacy Center.

Page applies her vast foreign policy experience to the Weiser Diplomacy Center. She has served the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the United Nations, and non-governmental organizations in senior roles for decades, across East, Central, and Southern Africa, and in Haiti and Nepal. Page was the first U.S. ambassador to the Republic of South Sudan and served as Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations in Haiti.

Faculty Expert

Kamissa Camara

Professor of practice

Dr. Kamissa Camara is a Professor of Practice in International Diplomacy at the University of Michigan. She is a scholar-practitioner with 20 years of experience in diplomacy, international affairs, democratic governance, and security across Africa. Before joining the University of Michigan, she held senior government positions in Mali and worked with international organizations in Washington, D.C., on democracy, governance, and elections.

Staff Expert

Nayab Ali

International Diplomacy Programs Administrator, Weiser Diplomacy Center

Faculty Expert

Yousif Hassan

Assistant professor

Yousif Hassan examines the social, economic, and political implications of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, natural language processing, blockchain among other technologies with a particular emphasis on technoscientific innovation, development, and the digital economy. Hassan’s interest is at the intersection of social justice and technology and innovation policy.

Staff Expert

Nana Faye

Senior Assistant to Professors of Practice, Weiser Diplomacy Center