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About the Africa Programme

Overview

The Africa Programme at Chatham House develops independent policy-focused research on issues affecting individual states of Africa, the African continent as a whole and relations in 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 impacts on policy.

Download 'About the Africa Programme' pdf flyer >>

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. The Africa Programme mitigates these 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 repackaged existing information;
• Forward thinking and differentiated from current research elsewhere;
• Aligned with broader Chatham House research themes of governance, identity and resources.

Thematic Research

• Governance and corruption
• Piracy and non-state actors
• Africa in the international system
• Human security
• Resources and society

Full list of current projects >>

Regional Coverage

Regionally, we have particular expertise on the shaded countries:

Our current research focus is on:

Expertise is also available on Africa in the international system, with particular reference to the UK, US, France, EU, Russia, India, China and the G8.

North Africa is covered by the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Programme at Chatham House, with which the Africa programme collaborates.

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 7,000 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 Angola Forum and the Congo Forum in particular, as well as the programme's Horn of Africa Project, serve as a central information resource for agencies interacting with these countries.

Organization

In consultation with sponsors and other stakeholders, the Africa Programme initiates, monitors and delivers research, ensuring quality and accountability.

The majority of expertise is provided by Associate Fellows, who are appointed on the basis of their extensive knowledge and experience in one or more fields. Full staff list >>

A Global Network of Support

The work of the Africa Programme is principally supported by:

The Africa Programme also works closely with research partners around the world to promote analysis with a global perspective. They include:

• Catholic University of Angola
• Center for Strategic and International Studies
• Council on Foreign Relations
• Egmont Institute
• German Institute for International and Security Affairs
• Institut Français des Relations Internationales (IFRI)
• Instituto Superior de Relações Internacionais (ISRI)
• Nigerian Institute of International Affairs
• Russian Academy of Sciences
• Shanghai Institutes for International Studies
• South African Institute of International Affairs

The Africa Programme is constantly seeking support and input from organizations which recognize the importance of truly independent policy-focused research. The Africa Programme fundraises for 100% of its activities and costs, including salaries.

More information about sponsorship >>

Newsletter

To sign up to the Africa Programme newsletter please contact Tighisti Amare.

Latest newsletter >>

Further Information

For more information on any aspect of our work, please contact:

Tom Cargill, Assistant Head, Africa Programme
Tel +44 (0) 20 7957 5718
Email Tom Cargill >>