Africa Is Moving to the Center. Is Israel Ready?

As Africa gains strategic weight in the global economy and geopolitical order, Israel faces a more consequential question than how to expand its presence on the continent: what kind of relationship does it want to build? The Israel-Africa Relations Institute is working to turn renewed momentum into a deeper strategic relationship built on knowledge, cooperation and connections that last.

Africa’s growing importance is no longer a forecast. It is visible in the competition for critical minerals and infrastructure corridors, expanding markets and digital economies, and the growing diplomatic and commercial attention the continent is attracting from global powers. Israel has longstanding ties across Africa, and relevant capabilities in areas including food and water security, healthcare, energy, education, infrastructure and technology. Africa, in turn, brings rapidly evolving markets, talent, entrepreneurship, resources and perspectives that increasingly matter to Israel and the global economy. The opportunity is not simply to bring Israeli solutions to African challenges, but to understand where interests and capabilities meet and build partnerships around priorities defined together.

“Everybody’s now rushing to be Africa’s friends, and Israel should definitely be in the game,” says Shiri Fein-Grossman, CEO of the Israel-Africa Relations Institute.

From Engagement to Strategy

Founded by Haim Taib, the Institute is a strategic policy and engagement platform working to strengthen the foundations of Israel-Africa relations and help shape a more informed, coherent Israeli strategy toward the continent. Its model is deliberately cross-sectoral. Governments create diplomatic frameworks; businesses bring investment, innovation and execution; academia generates knowledge; and civil society builds relationships beyond formal diplomacy. The Institute connects these worlds through research, strategic analysis, policy dialogue and practical cooperation, strengthening the inter-state infrastructure required for relationships to endure.

As Fein-Grossman puts it: “Enduring partnerships are built patiently, rooted in institutions rather than individuals, strengthened through practical cooperation, and sustained long after the headlines fade.”

From Knowledge to Action

The Institute’s research examines Israel’s economic engagement with Africa, African voting patterns at the United Nations, critical minerals and economic corridors, regional geopolitics, trade and investment.

Its “Easier Said Than Done” study, developed with SID-Israel, NURA Global Innovation Lab and the Israeli Forum for Impact Economy (IFIE), examined what enables Israeli technology companies to succeed in Africa and other emerging markets, highlighting factors including strategic partnerships, localization, ecosystem building, businessmodel innovation and appropriate financing.

Research is complemented by convening and implementation. The Africa-Israel Economic Forum (AIEF) 2025 brought together around 300 participants from over 25 countries – policymakers, diplomats, investors, entrepreneurs, financial institutions and development organizations – around trade, infrastructure, innovation and investment.

From left to right: Dr. Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili, Shiri Fein-Grossman, and Pastor Dumisani Washington at the inaugural Young Leaders Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, February 2026

Building the Relationship Ahead

Panel discussion on “Supply Chains, Infrastructure & Trade: A Fresh Outlook on Growth Engines” at the Africa-Israel Economic Forum (AIEF), Tel Aviv, October 2025

The Institute is also investing in the next generation of leaders who will shape the relationship. In February 2026, alongside the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, it partnered with the Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel (IBSI) and the Let Africa Go Movement to colead a Young Leaders Conference. The event brought together emerging leaders from Israel, the United States and around ten African countries. The initiative is now evolving into an ongoing network, with its next gathering planned in Jerusalem.

Together, these activities reflect a broader approach: research informs strategy, strategy strengthens dialogue, and dialogue builds relationships that can lead to action. Africa is moving closer to the center of global affairs. Israel has relevant capabilities, longstanding connections and a renewed opportunity to engage. The Institute’s role is to connect governments, business, knowledge and people – and help translate individual points of engagement into a coherent, long-term relationship of greater depth and mutual value.

Photos: courtesy of the Israel-Africa Relations Institute

Haim Taib | Decades of Experience Across Africa

Haim Taib is a global expert in strengthening and developing countries, with more than three decades of experience across Africa. He has led over 100 national-scale projects that have impacted millions of people, working with governments, international financial institutions and local communities.

Today, the Taib Group ecosystem brings together independent companies across infrastructure, services, financing and investment, operating across Africa, Europe, Israel and the United States. In 2025, Taib was awarded Angola’s Peace and Development Medal by President João Lourenço.

For more information:

office@israel-africa.org https://israel-africa.org/