Harvard University Center for African Studies

H.E. Obasanjo—Former President of Nigeria, Africa’s Elder Statesman, and the African Union’s High Representative to the Horn of Africa—visits CAS

Drawing on more than six decades of experience in peacekeeping and diplomacy, President Obasanjo reflected on conflicts across the continent, from Sudan and Ethiopia to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The CAS student conversation with H.E. Obasanjo emphasized the role of students and the African diaspora in shaping the continent’s future. The evening JFK Forum explored the importance of African leadership and international partnerships, the need to include women in peace negotiations, and the value of subsidiarity and regional support in peace and mediation.

Read the "Student Lens" reflection from the visit
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News Stories

Student Lens: Reflections from H.E. Obasanjo at CAS

26 October 2026 CAMBRIDGE—On October 20, the Harvard Center for African Studies hosted former President of Nigeria Olusegun Obasanjo for a fireside chat coordinated by the Nigerian Students Association (NSA). The former president was at Harvard to discuss...
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Welcome to the 2026-2027 Academic Year
Dear friends and colleagues, Welcome to a new academic year at Harvard's Center for African Studies! We hope you’ve had a restorative summer and are excited for the many programs, events, and research and learning opportunities in the months ahead. Africa...
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Upcoming Events

Film Screening: Memories of Love Returned
October 30, 2026
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3:00PM EDT
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Thompson Room (106), Barker Center
In Person
Join CAS Faculty Affiliate Tinashe Mushakavanhu for a screening of Memories of Love Returned , directed by Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, on October 30 at 3:00 PM in the Thompson Room (106), Barker Center. The filmmaker will be in attendance, and the screening...
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The Scramble for Revenue: Fiscal Capacity and Forced Labor in Colonial Africa.
November 2, 2026
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12:00PM - 1:30PM EST
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Harvard CAS Lounge
In Person
Join us for an African Studies Workshop with Marlous van Waijenburg, Assistant Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, presenting The Scramble for Revenue: Fiscal Capacity and Forced Labor in Colonial Africa . Van Waijenburg’s...
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Buna Break: African Language Tables
November 3, 2026
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4:00PM - 9:00PM EST
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Harvard CAS Lounge
In Person
Are you thinking about taking an African language next year? Have you already studied one at Harvard, or do you speak one at home? Maybe there’s simply a language you’ve always wanted to learn. Join NSA and the Harvard Center for African Studies for a...
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Faculty & Student Research Spotlights

Improving Livelihoods for Smallholder Coffee Farmers in Ethiopia
Student Research Spotlight: Katie Chen and Vaibhav Parik The Harvard Center for African Studies offers funding to Harvard graduate students traveling to Africa for thesis or dissertation research or for fieldwork connected to an academic project. At the...
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Journals, Research, & Working Papers

This new section highlights recent outputs from the Harvard University Center for African Studies, featuring journals, research contributions, and working papers generated through CAS conferences, workshops, and symposia. It offers a curated space for showcasing emerging scholarship, ongoing intellectual projects, and newly released papers that reflect the breadth of academic work across the continent and the global African diaspora.

Working Paper

Ph.D OYERONKE OLADEMO. 2025. “Yoruba Studies and Technology: Prospects and Challenges (Folorunso Alakija Religion and Public Life Distinguished Lecture - August 2025)”
Ph.D OYERONKE OLADEMO. 2025. “Yoruba Studies and Technology: Prospects and Challenges (Folorunso Alakija Religion and Public Life Distinguished Lecture - August 2025)”
Yemi Osinbajo. 2025. “Vice President of Nigeria, H.E. Yem Osinbajo Transcript for Keynote Address (Folorunso Alakija Religion and Public Life - August 2025 Gala Night)”
Yemi Osinbajo. 2025. “Vice President of Nigeria, H.E. Yem Osinbajo Transcript for Keynote Address (Folorunso Alakija Religion and Public Life - August 2025 Gala Night)”

2025

Sarah Setlaelo and Chantelle Gray. 2025. “Special Issue on Mabogo Percy More”
Sarah Setlaelo and Chantelle Gray. 2025. “Special Issue on Mabogo Percy More”
Sarah Setlaelo. 2025. “Stella Nyanzi the Activist-Philosopher”
Sarah Setlaelo. 2025. “Stella Nyanzi the Activist-Philosopher”

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