This IRES strategic report addresses the main challenges facing the continent between now and 2050, including, in particular, three major future nodes, namely, urban growth, rural transformation and the individual and collective challenge of security and governance.

To address these major issues, solutions are identified, including the invention of a new African model of urban planning, the start of a strong process of rural transformation and the implementation of a security system, adapted to the African context. In addition, levers of change are highlighted, likely to open access to the world of tomorrow, such as the economic transition to embrace the X.0 economy, the energy transition towards both a reduction in the degradation generated by the current systems and the acceleration of the electrification of the continent and the digital transition.

Achieving Africa’s self-sustaining development requires a leapfrog approach, which allows for leapfrogging in terms of development. In this regard, the report presents three “major projects”, true game changers – both disruptive factors and catalysts – capable of fostering leapfrog: Africa, a living laboratory of an ecological future; continental mutualization and Blue Africa.