Africa Initiative | Duke Global

What is the Africa Initiative?

The Africa Initiative (AI) brings Africa to Duke’s campus in Durham.

The initiative is a faculty-led effort to connect scholars across Duke who have an interest in the countries and cultures of the African continent. AI encourages discussion about African politics, economics, society and culture and fosters interdisciplinary academic and research collaborations related to Africa on campus.

Duke faculty and students are also actively engaged in service learning opportunities, courses and research projects on the African continent.

Duke Africa Initiative Co-Directors
Charlie Piot (Cultural Anthropology & AAAS)
Anne-Maria Makhulu (Cultural Anthropology & AAAS)

Duke Africa Initiative Postdoctoral Fellow
Fidèle Beletchei Ebia (Duke Africa Initiative)

Duke Africa Initiative Steering Committee
Sarah Balakrishnan (History)
Fred Boadu (Pratt Engineering)
Tsitsi Jaji (English)
Khwezi Mkhize (AAAS)
Charles Musiba (Evolutionary Anthropology)
Chris Ouma (English)
Felwine Sarr (Romance Studies)
Karin Shapiro (AAAS)
Erika Weinthal (Nicholas School of the Environment)

Duke Africa Initiative Annual Reports

These annual reports provide a comprehensive summary of the Duke Africa Initiative’s funded activities, events, and collaborations over the past academic years. Each report includes highlights from student and faculty projects, public events, and campus engagement efforts, along with insights into the Initiative’s evolving priorities and impact.

Duke Africa Initiative 2024-25 Annual Report

Duke Africa Initiative 2023–24 Annual Report