in collaboration with Atlantic Council

Ten years after the Arab uprisings, many of the socio-political and economic challenges which fueled demonstrations in North of Africa still need to be addressed. The Covid-19 pandemic has further deteriorated the economic outlook of the region: the tenuous recovery is faced with structural challenges, including the lack of economic diversification, the fall of the tourism industry, and rising unemployment. Most importantly, the region has one of the lowest levels of regional economic integration in the world.  Besides, these issues intersect with intra-regional rivalries and transnational threats. This “storm” is a major driver of instability and insecurity throughout the region. The economic development plays a crucial role in building up a sustainable future for the region in the years to come. The international actors interact with these dynamics, thus shaping regional patterns in both economic and security terms.