IFRA – French Institute for Research in Africa

The French Institute for Research in Africa is active since 1977 in East Africa and has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Institute exists to promote research in all the disciplines in the humanities and social sciences within East Africa. It has a strong tradition of research in geography, political science, anthropology and history. In addition, it opened up to archaeology recently.

Its main missions are  :

• To increase understanding of contemporary dynamics in Eastern Africa and foster the dissemination of knowledge. Research undertaken leads to the publication of books, journals, reports and to the organization of conferences.
• To provide training to French, East African and European students in research by financing and/or supporting their fieldwork, helping networking between French and East African researchers and  institutions, fostering integration within ongoing research projects, and giving access to publications and presentations in conferences.
• To strengthen  institutional relationship between French and East African universities and research centres by supporting joint operations, agreements of international cooperation, inter-academic exchanges and mobilities at the PhD and Master levels.

The Institute works under the French ministry of Foreign Affairs and theCentre national de la recherche scientifique, the French main research body. It is part in the French Research Centers Abroad network IFRE.