Brown Capital Management Africa Forum Relaunch: Sovereign Wealth Funds and Infrastructure Development in Africa

Tuesday, May 28 // 11:00 am–12:30 pm (ET)

The Wilson Center Africa program is proud to announce the relaunch of our Brown Capital Management Africa Forum with a discussion on sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) and infrastructure development in Africa.

By 2050, Africa is projected to be home to 2.5 billion people, almost twice as many as today. Adequate infrastructure services are needed to match this rapid demographic growth and urbanization, especially in Africa’s rapidly expanding cities that are already experiencing extreme infrastructure deficits. The African Development Bank estimates that between $130 billion and $170 billion is required for infrastructure development each year. Investing in infrastructure projects in Africa, especially at the city level, will require significant social and financial investments and new sources of financing to meet the funding gap. Sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) are increasingly becoming major sources of finance in many African countries. Although relatively small when compared to those in other countries around the world, African SWFs have the potential to contribute meaningfully towards financing infrastructure development and fostering economic growth.

Our speakers will discuss the importance of African SWFs, and the role that they can play in de-risking private investment for infrastructure development, especially at the city or subnational level. They will also highlight some of the risks and opportunities for African SWFs and infrastructure investments.

STILL TO Come THIS Week

Election Series | Gender Based Violence in Mexican Politics

Tuesday, May 28 // 11:00 am–12:30 pm (ET)

This event will discuss the paradox this election cycle presents. It is historic for gender equity in Mexico, as for the first time, both of the leading candidates are women. However, Mexican women, including those in positions of power continue to struggle to curb atrocious levels of violence against women and entrenched patriarchal attitudes in society.

The High Seas Treaty and Latin America’s Role in Marine Conservation

Tuesday, May 28 // 12–1:00 pm (ET)

Join the Wilson Center’s Latin America Program and Environmental Change and Security Program, in partnership with the Natural Resources Defense Council, to discuss the importance of the High Seas Treaty and its ratification and implementation, including the role of the United States and Latin America in supporting the creation of ambitious marine protected areas in the Western Hemisphere.

Election Series | Freedom of Speech and Protecting Journalists in Mexico

Wednesday, May 29 // 10:30 am–12:00 pm (ET)

Ahead of the June presidential elections in Mexico, the Wilson Center’s Mexico Institute has organized a series of webinars covering critical issues concerning the upcoming electoral process. One of the core topics we wish to discuss is the importance of upholding freedom of speech and protecting journalists during such a critical time. We will include perspectives from both sides of the border, featuring the insights of Mexican as well as US-based journalists.

The Dengue Epidemic: A New Test of Latin America’s Health Sector

Thursday, May 30 // 10–11:00 am (ET)

Join the Wilson Center’s Latin America Program for a conversation on the dengue outbreak and the regional response, the state of vaccine research, production, and distribution in Latin America, and whether Latin American governments have applied the lessons from the pandemic.

Election Series | The Future of US-Mexico Security Cooperation

Thursday, May 30 // 11:00 am–12:30 pm (ET)

In this installment of Mexico's election series they will discuss the importance of strengthening security cooperation between the United States and Mexico at such a consequential juncture in the bilateral relationship.

How to Defeat an Autocracy? Lessons from Ukraine’s Defense Against Russia’s Invasion

Friday, May 31 // 10–11:30 am (ET)

Wilson Center’s Global Europe Program is honored to welcome Oleksii Reznikov, Ukraine’s former defense minister who led Ukraine’s defense establishment in the lead up to Russia’s full-scale invasion and during the first year and a half of the war. Mr. Reznikov will discuss Ukraine’s defense effort and the lesson it offers for democracies about fighting a war with an adversary led by an autocratic regime.