News, opinions and analysis

Africa is a country

Africa Is a Country offers a critical perspective on various social, political, and cultural issues affecting Africa that push back on continental legacies of colonialism and exploitation. Their editorial viewpoint emphasizes the complexity and diversity of African experiences, challenging stereotypes and simplistic narratives. Their work highlights local voices and perspectives, focusing on contemporary issues in politics, economics, and culture, as well as the usable past. They often engage with broader global discourses while remaining rooted in specific African contexts, advocating for nuanced discussions that reflect the realities of life in Africa.

The Conversation, Africa Edition

The Conversation Africa is a news and analysis website which is a collaboration between academics and journalists. The Conversation Africa is a news and analysis website which is a collaboration between academics and journalists. Part of the Conversation global newsroom, the Creative Commons site is an independent source of news and views from the academic and research community on and about Africa and African issues written by experts in their field.

Associations of Students & Scholars

ASAA

The ASAA is the African Studies Association of Africa. Founded in 2012, it supports networking and interdisciplinary exchanges among Africanist scholars, centres and institutes of African Studies on the continent. It also aims to promote research and discussions on topical issues of concern to the wellbeing of Africans. It convenes a biennial conference hosted by different African Universities. Past editions include : Lubumbashi (DRC), Cape Town (South Africa). In 2025, the ASAA conference will be hosted in Praia (Cabo Verde).

ASA

The ASA is the African Studies Association. Based in the United States and founded in 1957, the organization is devoted to enhancing the exchange of information about Africa. The ASA supports understanding of an entire continent in each facet of its political, economic, social, cultural, artistic, scientific, and environmental landscape. Our members include scholars, students, teachers, activists, development professionals, policymakers and donors. It convenes an annual conference hosted in the United States. Future locations include Chicago, Atlanta, New Orleans and Detroit,

AEGIS

AEGIS (originally an acronym for ‘Africa-Europe Group for Interdisciplinary Studies’) is a network organisation made up of Europe-based member institutions connected to research and education on and in Africa and African Studies. Set up in 1991, it has expanded substantially since then. The original intention was to make visible and build upon the resources and research potential available among Africanist institutions in Europe. A key focus then – as now – was to facilitate meaningful institutional and individual connections and synergies within Europe, as well as to strengthen relationships with similar scholars and institutions in Africa, and elsewhere. 

Research organizations

CODESRIA

The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) is an independent, pan-African, non-governmental research organisation founded in 1973 by African researchers. Its establishment was driven by a desire to build an autonomous Pan-African scientific community capable of interpreting realities in Africa and contributing to scholarly, public and policy debates on African and global issues. Research and knowledge production are key to Africa’s transformation. The participation of Africans in these activities is indispensable for shaping narratives that will benefit Africa and its peoples. CODESRIA, therefore, is about building a strong and vibrant African social science and humanities research community. It serves to mobilise a greater understanding of the challenges facing Africa and the world in order to overcome these challenges. To do so, CODESRIA facilitates and supports social science and humanities research by scholars in Africa and the African diaspora across the world through a variety of programmes. CODESRIA is headquartered in Dakar, Senegal and is accredited with diplomatic status in Senegal, a status that grants various immunities to support effective intellectual engagement.