News

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

October 26, 2026

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...

Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio at the JFK Jr. Forum: Africa and the Shifting Geopolitical Landscape

October 09, 2026

Cambridge - On October 29, the Harvard University Center for African Studies, with the Institute of Politics and the Center for International Development, welcomed His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, to the John F...

CAS convenes a Faculty Research Roundtable with Harvard Professors and Key Ministers of Sierra Leone

October 07, 2026

Cambridge, Mass. — On October 29, the Harvard University Center for African Studies welcomed His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, for a Harvard visit that included a welcome motorcade and flag ceremony with the...

Student Lens: Reflections from Sierra Leone’s Presidential Visit to Harvard and CAS

October 07, 2026

By Wantoe Teah Wantoe Harvard Graduate School of Education | Master’s Candidate, Education Policy & Analysis Last week, I had the privilege of helping co-organize H.E. Julius Maada Bio’s, President of Sierra Leone, visit to Harvard; specifically, a...

CAS at UNGA: High-Profile Africa Convenings on the Sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly 

September 25, 2026

NEW YORK CITY — The Harvard Center for African Studies (CAS) attended the Global Africa Business Initiative’s (GABI) annual Unstoppable Africa 2026 convening before the 81st United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York City. Hosted by the United...

Welcome to the 2026-2027 Academic Year

September 01, 2026

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...

Chidi Blyden Hired as New Executive Director of Harvard Center for African Studies

August 31, 2026

August 31, 2026 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Cambridge, Mass. — The Harvard University Center for African Studies (CAS) has hired Chidi Blyden as the new Executive Director, bringing to the Center a deeply impactful career in public service and private...

Six projects chosen for Motsepe Presidential Research Accelerator Fund for Africa

June 15, 2026

The Motsepe Fund was established in 2020 to support faculty-led and student-driven research projects that focus on advancing key challenges and opportunities facing Africa, with a focus on projects falling within the STEAM rubric (the application of the...

Leaders Across Harvard’s African Student Organizations Gather at CAS Luncheon to Shape the Year Ahead

May 05, 2026

The Harvard Center for African Studies (CAS) recently hosted a Student Org Leaders’ Luncheon, bringing together presidents, chairs, and student leaders from across African organizations at Harvard. The gathering created space for reflection, leadership...

Harvard Center for African Studies and Brand South Africa to Host “Amapiano: A Cultural Export of Freedom” with Grammy-Winning Artist Zakes Bantwini

April 27, 2026

CAMBRIDGE, Massachussetts — The Harvard Center for African Studies, in partnership with Brand South Africa, will host “Amapiano: A Cultural Export of Freedom — Panel & Live Performance” on Friday, 8 May 2026. The public gathering convenes leading South...

A Week on AI, African Cities, and Urban Futures: Lagos State and Liberia Delegation Visit Harvard

March 17, 2026

The Harvard Center for African Studies (CAS) hosted a Nigerian and Liberian delegation to Cambridge for a week long program on artificial intelligence, African cities, and urban futures in Africa. The visit brought together students, faculty, and...

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The Harvard Center for African Studies (CAS) Opens Search for Executive Director

March 09, 2026

The Harvard Center for African Studies is pleased to announce an open search for a talented and experienced Executive Director. The Executive Director works in close partnership with the Oppenheimer Faculty Director and plays a pivotal role in the day-to...