The Africa-America Institute is an international education organization dedicated to advancing the continent’s development through higher education and skills training, convening activities, and promoting greater engagement between Africa and the United States. AAI’s mission is to empower African youth to become globally competitive.
History
, President of Lincoln University and Professor William Leo Hansberry, of Howard University founded Africa-America Institute in 1953 to provide financial assistance and hospitality to Africans studying in the US. As African nations gained independence, AAI offered higher education scholarship programs in the United States to support African scholars in gaining a higher education and skills that could be applied in post-colonial Africa. Its programming expanded to provide academic and professional skills training opportunities for Africans in both the U.S. and Africa in the 1990s. AAI's programs evolved in the early- 2000s to focus on increased U.S.-Africa engagement on issues impacting the African continent with policymakers and business leaders from the U.S. and Africa. In 2013 the organisation celebrated its 60th anniversary in the New York Hilton. The event included a discussion by Hailemariam Desalegn, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hifikepunye Lucas Pohamba, the President of Namibia and Foreign Affairs Ministers of Ghana, Hanna Tetteh and Tanzania as regards Africa’s past, present and future. The organisation highlighted how more than 23,000 individuals from 54 African countries had been supported by the organisation.
AAI Programs
Transformational Leadership Program The Transformational Leadership Program is a leadership and management training program for leaders of African civil society organizations and small micro-enterprises. TLP educational partners include United States International University in Kenya; Pan-Atlantic University in Nigeria; UNISA–The University of South Africa, and University of Stellenbosch Business School in South Africa. AAI Future Leaders Legacy Fund The AAI Future Leaders Legacy Fund provides scholarships for African students to earn bachelor's degrees and vocational and technical training certifications at high performing African institutions. Partner institutions include Ashesi University, Ghana; United States International University, Kenya; and UNISA—The University of South Africa. The State of Education in Africa The State of Education in Africa conference provides a platform to discuss and put forth solution on education at levels in Africa. Previous SOEs were held in New York City in 2014, and in Lagos, Nigeria in 2015. AAI Speaker Series The AAI Speaker Series and Conversations on Africa series in Washington, D.C. offer a platform for thought leaders on U.S.-Africa policy. EADB Math, Science, Technology and Engineering University Scholarship Program The East African Development Bank scholarship program for experienced teachers and lecturers to earn a post-graduate degree in science, technology, engineering and mathematics at Rutgers University and New Jersey Institute of Technology in the United States. Past AAI Programs Past programs include: The African Graduate Fellowship Program, Advanced Training for Leadership and Skills Project, African Scholarship Program of American Universities, International Visitors Program and International Fellowship Program.
Held annually during the week of the United Nations General Assembly, AAI’s Annual Awards Gala brings together African Heads of State and diplomats, business and philanthropic leaders to celebrate African achievement.
