Dakar, Senegal +221 33 869 95 95 contact@africagovernanceinstitute.org
Who We Are · Est. 2003

Innovative thinking, in service of Africa's governance.

Our story, our mandate and the team carrying it out, from research to policy dialogue across the continent.

Our Story

Born of a continental ambition.

The initiative for the creation of AGI emerged in 2003 from discussions between the Chairman of the Commission of the African Union and the Regional Director for Africa of the United Nations Development Programme. The idea was simple and ambitious: an AU-recognized centre of excellence, responsible for conducting cutting-edge research on all forms of governance and contributing to the advancement of developmental governance in Africa.

Two decades on, the Institute contributes to the development and the valorisation of innovative thinking on the governance challenges with which the African continent is faced, and helps implement solutions adopted by African regional and sub-regional organisations, states, non-state actors and the private sector.

From its headquarters in Dakar, AGI has supported the African Union in drafting continental charters, convened the Dakar High-Level Dialogues on Democracy and Governance, trained senior civil servants across Francophone and Lusophone Africa, and built a knowledge platform mapping hundreds of African experts and institutions.

2003Founded by an AU–UNDP initiative
22+Years of impact across Africa
350African experts in our network
40+Partner institutions and governments
Our Mandate

Advocate, research, disseminate.

01

Advocate

For democratic and developmental governance in Africa, carrying the continent's voice into regional and global dialogues.

02

Research

Cutting-edge research and innovative training that meet pressing governance issues identified in political dialogue.

03

Disseminate

Diffuse relevant information on governance across the continent through accessible knowledge platforms.

The Africa Governance Institute team, gathered in Dakar
The AGI team · Dakar, Senegal 2026
Our Team

Meet the team.

Based in Dakar, working across the continent. Select a profile to read their full story.

Work With Us

Partner with the Institute or support a program.

Get in touch