About AAI
The Africa-America Institute (AAI) was founded in 1953. AAI's mission is to promote enlightened engagement between Africa and America through education training and dialogue. The Institute pursues its mission in two program areas: African Higher Education and Training (AHET) and Educational Outreach and Policy (EOP) which aim to educate Africans and educate Americans about Africa.
Since its establishment AAI administered scholarship programs have assisted Africans to complete college, graduate-level, and professional training in fundamental capacity-building fields including agriculture, business and finance, education, government, health care, science and technology.
AAI’s programs yield tangible results—since its establishment approximately 90% of AAI's alumni have returned to Africa to become business and political leaders, entrepreneurs, health-care workers and educators increasing Africa’s capacity and building the foundation for African development.
Complementing its focus on capacity building through education and training, AAI's EOP programs also help key Americans—policymakers, business executives, government officials, and opinion leaders—gain a more complete understanding of Africa through roundtables, online discussions and exchange programs. Online discussions, forums and rountables in Africa and America also provide opportunities for Africans to present African perspectives on issues of mutual interest to Africans and Americans.
AAI is a multi-racial, multi-ethnic, non-profit organization with headquarters in New York, offices in Washington, South Africa and Mozambique. Through its alumni, AAI has an on-the-ground presence in over 50 African countries. AAI’s work is made possible through funds provided by the U.S. government, African governments, private foundations, corporate donors, multilateral institutions and individuals.