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About the Africa Programme
Overview
The Africa Programme develops independent policy-focused research on issues affecting individual states of Africa, the African continent as a whole and relations with the international system.
By working with the best international researchers on African politics, Chatham House offers reliable and independent research which is published globally. Using its reputation and influence, Africa Programme research has policy impact.
Research
Policy making in and towards Africa often suffers due to lack of accurate, up to date, reliable information, lack of coordination between policy makers and incoherent political focus.
Policy Impact
The Africa Programme mitigates these causes by identifying and delivering research which is:
- Politically focused, whilst accommodating economic and developmental approaches;
- Policy based, seeking to affect decision making and outcomes;
- Regionally and country led with a cautious approach to continental themes;
- Based on empirical data and an avoidance of re-packaged existing information;
- Forward thinking and differentiated from current research elsewhere;
- Aligning with broader Chatham House research themes of governance, identity and resources.
Dissemination
The Africa Programme promotes informed policy through several channels. The unique convening power and independent reputation of Chatham House means that briefing papers and reports are read and taken seriously at all levels, both within the UK and Africa and internationally.
Contacts with over 6,000 key decision makers on Africa globally ensure further exposure.
Through its work with British independent Parliamentary groups covering Nigeria, Angola and the Great Lakes, the Africa Programme supports UK Parliamentarians with the information and insight they need to hold the UK Government to account.
By supporting informed reporting by international news agencies such as Reuters, BBC, Al Jazeera and CNN, the Africa Programme improves the quality of information disseminated globally.
By acting as a neutral forum for representatives of Governments, civil society, business and academia to meet and discuss perspectives, the Africa Programme promotes consensus and outcome orientated debate. The British Angola Forum, the British Congo Forum and the Horn of Africa Group act as a central information resource for agencies interacting with these countries.
Regional coverage
Regionally we have particular expertise on the shaded countries:
Additionally expertise is available on Africa in the international system, with particular reference to the UK, USA, France, EU, Russia, India and China.
Research Focus
Our current research focus is on the countries shown here:
Established regional research
- Angola
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- São Tomé e Principé
- Liberia
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Sierra Leone
Emerging regional research
- Somalia
- Ethiopia
- Eritrea
- Uganda
- Guinea Conakry
- Sudan
- Chad
- Central African Republic
North Africa is covered from the Middle East Programme with which the Africa programme collaborates.
Thematic Research
Largely based on these regions the current themes for research accompanied by examples of research being undertaken are:
- Governance and corruption
Includes an investigation of corruption in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Nigerian roots of organised crime in the UK and decentralisation in Angola.
- Armed non-state actors
Includes papers on the Forces Nouvelles of Côte d'Ivoire, and separatist rebels in the Cabinda enclave of Angola.
- Africa in the international system
Includes a major project on UN Sanctions in Africa and papers on UK, French US, EU and Chinese policy towards Africa.
- Human security
Includes work on HIV, illegal logging and climate change in Africa.
- Resources & society
Includes a project on Oil and Democracy in the Gulf of Guinea and a future task force on Equatorial Guinea.
Organization
The work of the Programme is coordinated by a small secretariat of three staff. In consultation with sponsors and other stakeholders, the secretariat initiates, monitors and delivers research, ensuring quality and accountability.
The majority of expertise is provided by Associate Fellows, who are chosen to associate with the programme on the basis of their extensive knowledge and experience in one or more fields. Research is normally sub-contracted to these or other experts. In particular the programme seeks to develop institutional links with partners in Africa and G8 countries.
A global network of support
The following organisations have all supported the work of the Africa programme:
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FCO |
BG GROUP |
ONE WORLD ACTION |
Chatham House also works closely with research partners around the world to promote analysis with a global perspective. They include:
- The Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos
- The South African Institute of International Affairs, Johannesburg
- The Council on Foreign Relations, New York
- Centre for Strategic and International Studies, Washington DC
- IFRI, Paris
- The Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow
- German Institute for International and Security Affairs, Berlin
Chatham House is constantly seeking support and input from organisations which recognise the importance of truly independent policy focussed research.
The Africa Programme offers the opportunity to support leading independent research addressing the challenges facing Africa, involving senior government officials, business representatives, regional specialists and other experts.
For more information on this or any other aspect of our work, please contact
Tom Cargill
Manager, Africa Programme
Chatham House
The Royal Institute of International Affairs
10 St James's Square
London, SW1Y 4LE
Tel +44 (0) 20 7957 5718
Email Tom Cargill
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