Research at ASG
Research at the African School of Governance (ASG) is driven by a commitment to developing practical solutions to Africa’s most pressing challenges in the decades ahead. Recognizing that many key policy priorities across the continent remain under-researched, ASG seeks to close these gaps by advancing African-led scholarship and amplifying Africa’s voice in global policy conversations.
ASG has established dedicated research centres focused on home-grown innovations, African history, leadership, Pan-African and regional integration, and the strategic use of technology. Through these centres, ASG promotes systemic and institutional transformation that is informed by African realities and perspectives.
Our faculty members devote significant time to research, thought leadership, and policy engagement, while students actively participate in rigorous inquiry and analysis—positioning ASG as an emerging hub for policy-focused research on the continent.
Through its integrated academic and research framework, ASG provides pathways for African scholarship with global relevance, producing knowledge grounded in Africa’s history and responsive to both local and international challenges.
ASG fosters a dynamic and collaborative research culture that advances innovative ideas and policy solutions—empowering leaders to shape a more equitable and sustainable future for Africa and the world.
Research Programmes
“ASG is establishing independent research centres dedicated to addressing Africa’s most pressing policy and governance challenges. Each centre will align closely with the school’s curriculum and faculty expertise, ensuring that research remains relevant, applied, and impactful.
These centres will actively engage ASG faculty and students in cutting-edge research directly connected to Africa’s evolving needs—bridging academic inquiry with real-world policy solutions that drive sustainable development and institutional transformation across the continent.”
Centre for Home-Grown Innovations
in Policy and Governance
The Centre for Home-Grown Innovations in Policy and Governance showcases and advances innovative solutions developed by African governments and communities. Through case studies, policy dialogues, and a guest speaker series featuring reform leaders and practitioners, the Centre highlights successful models of governance and development designed within the African context.
Key areas of focus include:
- Strategies for economic transformation and productive employment creation.
- Leadership in climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience building.
By documenting and sharing Africa’s own policy innovations, the Centre contributes to a growing body of knowledge that informs effective governance and sustainable development across the continent.
Centre for African History
and Policy
The Centre for African History and Policy explores Africa’s contemporary challenges through the lens of its pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial history. By examining how historical contexts shape today’s governance and development realities, the Centre seeks to inform more grounded and forward-looking policy approaches.
Faculty and students engage in publications, seminars, lecture series, and collaborative research with African and global scholars, fostering a deeper understanding of the continent’s past and its ongoing transformation.
Key areas of focus include:
- Analysing historical contexts to inform and shape future policy.
- Conducting collaborative research with global scholars to deepen understanding of Africa’s past and present.
Centre for Pan-African and
Regional Integration
The Centre for Pan-African and Regional Integration focuses on strengthening the effectiveness of continental and regional collaboration in addressing Africa’s shared development priorities. Through partnerships with regional and continental institutions, guest lectures from multilateral organizations, and the production of policy briefs and research papers, the Centre promotes dialogue and actionable insights on integration and cooperation.
Key areas of focus include:
- Advancing economic transformation and expanding productive employment across the continent.
- Leading climate change initiatives focused on mitigation, adaptation, and resilience.
Key areas of focus include:
By fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange, the Centre supports Africa’s collective efforts to achieve sustainable growth and deeper regional integration.
Centre for Governance Innovation
and Implementation Capacity
The Centre for Governance Innovation and Implementation Capacity is dedicated to strengthening the delivery and execution capabilities of African governments. The Centre partners with government innovation hubs and technology ecosystems to translate innovative projects into transferable research and policy applications that enhance public sector performance and service delivery.
Key areas of focus include:
- Building social resilience and improving community well-being.
- Enhancing urban systems to manage rapid urbanisation effectively.
- Supporting digital transformation to strengthen governance, society, and the economy.
- Reinforcing governance structures and advancing effective public administration.
Through these initiatives, the Centre bridges the gap between policy design and implementation, empowering institutions to deliver tangible results and drive sustainable development across Africa.