Experts on Africa
The Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN) offers a variety of Africa Experts who have worked both in the U.S and in Africa on Africa-U.S. policy. If you are interested in learning more about a particular area or would like to speak with one of our experts please contact communications@afjn.org.
Steven Nabieu Rogers, PhD
AFJN Executive Director
Africa Political Economy / Anti-Land Grabbing / Just Governance
Dr. Steven Nabieu Rogers serves as the Executive Director of the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN), bringing an extensive background in higher education, policy analysis, and advocacy across Africa and the United States. A native of Sierra Leone, he holds a Doctorate in Urban Planning and Public Policy from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Master’s degree in Social and Public Policy from Duquesne University, alongside prior research experience as an Old Mutual Research Fellow at the University of Cape Town.
As a recognized expert in African governance, sustainable development, and urbanization, Dr. Rogers focuses his work on translating community experiences into actionable, just U.S.-Africa policies. He is a passionate advocate for ethical leadership and grassroots empowerment who frequently analyzes complex socio-political dynamics and resource equity for global platforms.
Eucharia Madueke, SNDdeN, PhD
Coordinator, Women Empowerment Project
Women Empowerment / Faith-Based Advocacy / Anti-Human Trafficking / Ending Child Marriage and Child Labor
Sr. Eucharia Madueke, SNDdeN, serves as the Coordinator of the Women Empowerment Project at the Africa Faith and Justice Network. She brings a deep academic background and extensive grassroots experience to the role, holding a Ph.D. in Development and Public Policy from Howard University, a Master’s Degree in Social Work from The Catholic University of America, and a First Degree in Education and Religion from the University of Nigeria Nsukka. Prior to her leadership at the network, she served as Provincial of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (Nigerian Province) and worked as a grassroots mobilizer for the Washington, D.C.-based National Catholic Social Justice Advocacy organization, NETWORK. Her multi-faceted career also includes teaching at higher education and secondary school levels across both the United States and Nigeria.
As a featured expert on Africa, Sr. Madueke specializes in women empowerment, faith-based advocacy, and combatting human trafficking. Her core expertise lies at the intersection of community organizing, leadership development, policy analysis, and grassroots mobilization. She is widely recognized for her analysis of faith and public policy, education, and women in governance. Furthermore, her published work in the Global Sisters Report highlights her deep knowledge of the distinct cultural dynamics shaping African society and the vital social impact of Catholic Sisters across the continent.
Ntama Bahati
Policy Analyst
US-Africa Foreign Policy Expert / Cameroon / D R Congo / Good Governance
Ntama Bahati joined Africa Faith and Justice Network in 2007. Originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he witnessed the invasion of the DRC by Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda from 1996-2000 and worked in the field of post-war relief. He co-founded the Association des vieullards abondonnes in french Association for Abandoned Elderly (AVA) which addresses the increased number of elderly people begging on the streets of Bukavu during the conflict in DRC. He holds an undergraduate degree in Philosophy (2000) from La Ruzizi in Bukavu/DRC, a Masters of Divinity (2006), and Masters of Arts in Ethics (2007) from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.
Since joining AFJN, he has written and spoken in different circles across the US on the socio-political issues of the DRC, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi. He is the author of Tribe not an Idea, but a True Identity, a piece published in Recherches Africaines. L’Afrique et son vecu vol. 21-22, and co-author of the paper Promoting International Support for Community-Based Justice Mechanisms in Post-Conflict Burundi and Uganda (2009). Policy papers of his include Two Rebel groups, One solution (2008), and Evaluating peace and stability in DRC (2009). He has been a guest of Africa Now, a radio program of WPFW in Washington DC and Voice of America TV. His work at AFJN is informed by his passion for social justice as well his personal commitment to making this world a better place for all people.
Rev. Aniedi Okure, OP, PhD
Consultant, Women Empowerment Project (Former AFJN Executive Director)
Sociologist / US-Africa Policy Expert / Faith-based Coalition Building
Rev. Aniedi Okure, OP, is a distinguished expert in international human rights advocacy, global faith-based diplomacy, and systemic governance. In his dual roles as the General Promoter of Justice and Peace and the Permanent Delegate to the United Nations for the Dominican Order, he leverages his expertise to influence high-level international policy. Operating within critical diplomatic spaces like the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, he bridges grassroots structural analysis with global legal frameworks. His work focuses on defending the dignity of vulnerable populations, driving environmental peacebuilding, and coordinating transnational human rights initiatives across more than 120 countries.
Additionally, Rev. Okure is a foremost expert in gender equity, grassroots mobilization, and legislative advocacy within the African continent. As a specialized consultant and former Executive Director for the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN), he conceptualized and launched the AFJN Women Empowerment Project. Through this initiative, he applies his expertise to dismantle systemic gender-based exploitation, train African women religious and civil society leaders, and foster political and social inclusion. His consultative work continues to empower local communities to hold governments accountable and pioneer lasting legal and structural protections for women.
Rev. Barthelemy Bazemo, MAfr, PhD
Board Member
US-Africa Foreign Policy Expert / Land Grab / Good Governance
Rev. Barthélémy Bazemo, M.Afr., is an expert on U.S.-Africa foreign policy, land grabs, and good governance, currently serving as the Provincial of the Americas for the Missionaries of Africa and President of the Society of Missionaries of Africa, Inc. Originally from Burkina Faso, he possesses extensive multicultural and leadership experience gained through years of active pastoral ministry and civic engagement across Eastern Africa, specifically in Kenya and Tanzania. During his time on the continent, he collaborated deeply with the Christian Professionals of Tanzania and the Wabunge Think-Tank, driving regional advocacy, human rights initiatives, and constitutional peacebuilding. His professional experience includes a significant tenure as a policy analyst and researcher for the Africa Faith and Justice Network (AFJN), where he specialized in high-level faith-based advocacy. He remains an active member of the AFJN Board of Directors.
Academically, Rev. Bazemo holds a Ph.D. in African Studies from the Howard University Graduate School, specializing in Africa in World Affairs, Governance, and Foreign Policy. His extensive qualifications also include a Master’s degree in Peace Studies and International Relations from Hekima University College in Nairobi, an STB in Sacred Theology, and a graduate diploma in Communications from Tangaza University. Furthermore, he has enhanced his conflict-resolution skill set with certifications from the National Peace Academy at Wilmington College. A trilingual scholar, Rev. Bazemo speaks and writes fluently in English, French, and Swahili, which enables him to frequently deliver workshops and lead strategic advocacy initiatives targeting international development and social ethics in both U.S. and African public squares.
Immaculate Machasio, PhD
Macroeconomic forecasting / Econometrics
Immaculate Machasio, is an economist and quantitative researcher with expertise in macroeconomic forecasting, financial economics, econometrics, economic policy, and applied AI. Her professional experience spans the World Bank, Wells Fargo, and the financial services sector, where she has worked on economic research, forecasting, quantitative modeling, and translating complex economic analysis into insights that inform policy and strategic decision-making.
She holds a PhD in Economics from Justus Liebig University Giessen, a Master’s in Finance and Investments from the University of Nairobi, and a Bachelor of Commerce from Kenyatta University. Her interests lie at the intersection of economics, finance, public policy, data, and emerging technologies.
Rev. Rocco Puopolo, SX
Former AFJN Executive Director and Board Vice-Chair
West Africa/ Political Advocacy / Grassroots Organizing / US-Africa Relations
Fr. Rocco Puopolo, Former AFJN Executive Director and Board Vice Chair is a Xaverian Missionary Priest, served for twelve years over a 26-year span of time in Sierra Leone, West Africa. There he was an administrator of the local primary schools, a teacher in high school, a university chaplain, National Youth chaplain for the Young Christian Students and Catholic Youth Organization and director of a National Pastoral program that offered a variety of programs that equipped people for Integral Human Development, particularly peace studies.
Upon his return to the US, he served as director for the Xaverian graduate student study program in Chicago and a chaplain for a variety of youth retreats and service projects. In 2006, Fr. Rocco served as the Executive Director of the African Faith and Justice Network until 2011 when he returned to his native New England to co-direct a new youth initiative of the Xaverian Missionaries, the GYM (Global Youth Mission Services). He is a member of Xaverian Missionaries governing Board, Member of local Metro West and Fatima Shrine Pax Christi, as well as a State Board member for Pax Christi Massachusetts. He holds a Masters in Divinity with Cross Cultural Specialization from the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago. Fr. Rocco was a research fellow at the Institute of Conflict Analysis and Resolution, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia in 1994. He resides in Holliston, MA.
Some summaries written with assistance from AI.
