This year’s U.S. – Africa Futures Summit will examine U.S – Africa policy and its implications for African agency and the future of U.S. – Africa relations while highlighting the unique and powerful role of the African diaspora.
As global dynamics continue to shift rapidly, the African continent stands at a defining crossroads—facing both heightened geopolitical competition and unprecedented opportunities to assert its leadership on the world stage. In this context, the third annual U.S.-Africa Futures Summit will take place in Washington, D.C. on Friday Sept 5, 2025. With the theme “From Aid to Agency,” the summit will convene policymakers, civil society actors, and members of the African diaspora for a timely and strategic dialogue on the implications of current U.S.-Africa policy.
The first U.S.-Africa Futures Summit was conceptualized in 2023 to build and strengthen the foresight analysis of Africa and its future by familiarizing U.S. stakeholders with the Institute for Security Studies’ Africa in the World report. Since then, the event has evolved and expanded by continuing to host discussions relevant for U.S.-Africa policy drawing on the African Futures research woven together with expert perspectives, with a focus on voices from Africa and the African diaspora.
This year’s Summit, hosted by Ford Foundation, Global Futures Collaborative, Humanity United, Institute for Security Studies, and Open Society Foundations, will examine U.S.-Africa policy, including commercial diplomacy, and its implications for African agency and the future of U.S.-Africa relations. Through four thematic sessions, participants will explore pressing questions around Africa’s development, security and governance, as well as global engagement. The summit will also highlight the unique and powerful role the African diaspora can continue to play in driving transformative change.
Through increased collaboration and centering voices from the continent, the Summit will create space for attendees to discuss how we can reimagine Africa’s place in a multipolar world, offering actionable recommendations that strengthen U.S.-Africa strategic partnerships, and mobilize diaspora leadership.
Visit the event page to learn more about our panels and speakers, register for virtual attendance, and follow the conversations.