Foresight Africa: Top priorities for Africa in 2023

Monday, January 30, 2023, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. EST
The Brookings Institution, Falk Auditorium, 1775 Massachusetts Ave. NW

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2022 was another difficult year for the global economy—and not least for Africa, which was already burdened with rising public debt levels, poor infrastructure, jobless growth, and high inequality—even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

As 2023 begins, Africa’s recovery is further threatened by multiple crises and a precarious external environment. The war in Ukraine and global surge in inflation have ripped open the scars of the pandemic—putting historic pressure on food, fuel, and fertilizer prices. Meanwhile, the uneven recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic continues to feature in headlines across Africa and elsewhere. Fragility in parts of the continent and adverse weather conditions are also key concerns. With these challenges, it is easy to be pessimistic about Africa’s prospects, and yet, Africa has proved resilient—time and time again.

On January 30, the Brookings Institution’s Africa Growth Initiative will launch its flagship report, "Foresight Africa: Top priorities for Africa in 2023," that examines pressing policy issues on the continent in a time of heightened global turbulence. This year’s launch will feature a high-level panel of leading Africa experts, who will offer insights and recommendations on the following questions:

• Will 2023 be the year Africa recoups lost ground and returns to its pre-pandemic growth trend?
• What should the top priorities for the region in the year ahead be in order to safeguard the health and socio-economic wellbeing of the continent as well as ensure an inclusive and equitable post-pandemic recovery?
• How can policymakers effectively address the unprecedented external and internal headwinds facing the continent?

After the panel, panelists will take questions from the audience.