Africa Knowledge Network

Quote from the United Nations Special Adviser on Africa

About

Launched in June 2021 to harness the continent's abundant intellectual wealth and capacity, the Africa Knowledge Network brings together African academics to contribute their knowledge and expertise toward accelerating Africa's development. The establishment of the Network is the outcome of an expert group meeting organized by the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa (OSAA) to assess the role of advocacy in breaking the silos across the nexus between peace and security, humanitarian work, human rights and development, exploring ways to mobilize how the UN could serve as a multiplying platform.

Anchored in the realization that there are not enough materials and research by African scholars published in peer-reviewed literature or used in policy and decision-making fora, the network also aims to enhance the state of knowledge about Africa by providing a platform for these African scholars and academics to share their perspectives with policymakers. It also seeks to establish and grow Afro-centric communities of experts on critical issues that impact the continent’s development, providing a mechanism for sharing case studies and knowledge products.

In line with OSAA’s strategic agenda, the Africa Knowledge Network will focus on the following six clusters:

About

  • Financing for development
  • Sustainable development to deliver sustainable peace
  • Democracy, resilience and human capital
  • Science, technology and innovation
  • Industrialization, demographic dividend and the AfCFTA
  • Sustainable energy and climate change

Knowledge Products