CARPO Podcasts
with Désirée Custers and Hubert Kinkoh
In this episode of the WASSAP podcast, we take a closer look at how African agency unfolds in real-world partnerships with Gulf countries.
Moving from abstract conceptualization of agency to concrete examples, hosts Désirée Custers and Hubert Kinkoh are joined by Dr. Bob Wekesa and Dr. Amare Aweke, who bring perspectives from South Africa and Ethiopia. Together, they explore how African actors engage with Gulf partners in areas such as investment, infrastructure, and regional security.
Drawing on their research and policy experience, the guests highlight how African countries are not simply responding to external influence, but are actively shaping their partnerships and navigating opportunities, managing risks, and pursuing their own strategic priorities.
The episode reveals a dynamic and evolving relationship marked by negotiation, interdependence, and shifting global dynamics, where African agency plays a central role in defining the future of Africa – West Asia relations.
About the WASSAP podcast
The WASSAP: the Africa – West Asia Podcast translates the findings of a three-year research project on West Asian (Gulf)–Sub-Saharan African relations into an accessible, engaging audio format. It explores how economic, political, cultural, religious, and security ties between selected Gulf countries and African partners are evolving and why these shifts matter globally, particularly for Europe.
Hosts of the podcast are Désirée Custers (project manager, CARPO) & Hubert Kinkoh (Senior Researcher, CARPO)
About the WASSAP project
The project explores the multi-dimensional and complex relations between selected Gulf countries (Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iran) and four Sub-Saharan countries (South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia). It aims to deconstruct and analyze their economic networks, cultural and religious affiliations, and political and security cooperation. Based on empirical research, the project provides a better understanding of Gulf-African exchange, its challenges and opportunities, as well as its implications for Europe. The project is financed by the Robert Bosch Foundation and will run for three years.
About the episode
Episode 2: Agency in the African Context: South Africa & Ethiopia
Guests:
Dr. Bob Wekesa, University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa)
Dr. Amare Aweke, Institute of Foreign Affairs (Ethiopia)
Show notes
Amplifying African Voices for Strategic Action (AFSA) Conference Report:
