Global and local events in the run up to 2016 present varying opportunities and challenges for African governments and their citizens.

Protests have been a significant feature of the African political landscape for the past century, but now a new wave of youth-led protests are sweeping through the continent in countries such as South Africa and the Republic of Congo. Will these protests succeed in transforming issues such as unemployment and socio-economic exclusion? What will be the long term implications of movements such as #FeesMustFall?

Being the world’s second largest economy, China’s slowdown is likely to affect African countries. The slowing demand for exports from China is already taking place, contributing to the rapid fall in value of South Africa’s rand. How will the slowdown for natural resources affect oil-dependent economies such as Nigeria and Angola? Can African policymakers use this opportunity to make a big push for regional integration and industrialisation?

Exploring contemporary challenges against this backdrop are the continent’s artists and writers. Independent publishing houses continue to be established across Africa transforming the African literary scene with popular fiction from sci-fi to digitally consumed romantic fiction.

Join our panel of experts as they discuss all of the above and more in our annual not-to-be-missed event that sheds light on the key issues facing the continent for the year ahead.

Speakers: Patrick Smith, Editor, Africa Confidential; Razia Khan, Chief Economist, Africa, Standard Chartered; Fatimah Kelleher, international development consultant; other speakers TBC