Each year the APA cohort meets monthly for member-led sessions on the policy questions shaping U.S.–Africa engagement. Here's how the 2025–2026 program year unfolded.
For the final session of the program year, the APA was honored to host Her Excellency Mathilde Mukantabana, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to the United States, for a wide-ranging conversation on U.S.–Rwanda relations and development across the continent.
A conversation with two senior global-policy leaders on private-sector engagement in Africa, the business case for sustained corporate presence on the continent, and lessons from their career journeys for emerging policy professionals.
A skill-building workshop on writing and publishing compelling op-eds on Africa — plus the program's first-ever pitch competition. Three seasoned editors offered practical guidance on framing, sourcing, and submitting to major outlets.
An evening bringing together the current cohort and alumni from every year since 2019 — a celebration of the community that has grown around the program and a chance to renew the connections that anchor a career in Africa policy.
An interactive group discussion and panel on the challenges and opportunities of financing energy projects across the continent — covering blended finance, project risk, and the role of multilateral and private capital.
Introductory remarks on urban expansion in Africa, followed by a hands-on workshop using urban-planning scenarios drawn from several African cities. Members worked in small groups to apply planning frameworks to real-world tradeoffs.
An off-the-record discussion on the U.S. intelligence community's analytic and policy work on Africa, followed by an interactive group simulation that asked members to navigate a fast-moving policy crisis in real time.
A conversation on the future of democratic elections across sub-Saharan Africa — opening with the view from civil society, then a wider discussion on the U.S. role in supporting credible elections on the continent.
The first member-led session of the 2025–26 cycle: a dynamic panel discussion on the future of U.S. global health policy at a moment of significant change in how the United States funds, structures, and prioritizes global health work.
The opening session of the program year — introductions, an overview of the year ahead, and the first round of conversations that turn 23 new members into a cohort.
Applications for the next cohort open over the summer. Drop us a line to be the first to know when applications go live.
