Africa’s growing role in global affairs took center stage at Oklahoma State University as OSU Global welcomed retired Brig. Gen. Andrew W. Ballenger for the first Global Briefing Series of the fall semester on Sept. 17.

A career Army officer with 30 years of service and four combat deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait and Djibouti, Ballenger most recently served as deputy commanding general of the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa. In that role, he helped shape strategy and direct joint and multinational operations across East Africa while working with partner governments and U.S. agencies on security, stability and global competition. His career also included senior policy and planning roles at the National Guard Bureau, U.S. Army Europe and the Executive Office of the President.

During his presentation, “Africa in the Global Arena: Trade, Alliances, and the Competition for Influence,” Ballenger drew from decades of military and international experience to examine the intersection of trade, security, diplomacy and shifting global relationships across Africa.

Ballenger encouraged the audience to consider the complexity of a continent made up of 54 countries with distinct political, economic and security environments. Drawing from his experience in the region, he discussed how diplomacy, information, military power and economics intersect to shape relationships and developments across the continent.

Much of the discussion centered on Africa’s economic potential and its role in global trade. Ballenger examined why many African countries trade more extensively with countries outside the continent than with their neighbors, citing factors such as infrastructure, cross-border commerce and economies built around the export of raw materials.

He also discussed opportunities and challenges associated with processing more of those resources within African countries. Ballenger identified political stability, access to reliable electricity and physical security as important factors affecting investment and the development of domestic refining and manufacturing capacity. He also discussed critical minerals and their growing importance in global supply chains.

Beyond the formal presentation, Ballenger met with global studies students for coffee and donuts, giving them an opportunity to engage with him in a smaller setting and ask questions about his experiences and perspectives. The informal gathering is a regular part of the Global Briefing Series, providing students with additional opportunities to connect directly with visiting speakers.

Organized by the School of Global Studies, the Global Briefing Series provides a platform for thought-provoking discussions, offering students and the broader community opportunities to engage with experts on pressing global issues.

To learn more about OSU Global and stay updated on future events, visit global.okstate.edu.