The African Council on Foreign Relations began as an idea in February 2016. It was incorporated in October 2023 with the support of Dr. Jean Narcisse Djaha while completing his doctoral studies at Centre  d’Etudes Diplomatiques et Stratégiques in Paris.

The African Council on Foreign Relations began as an idea in 2016 and was conceived in 2023, during a period of profound transformation in the global order. As traditional power structures began to shift and new geopolitical dynamics emerged, it became increasingly clear that Africa needed a bold, unified voice to articulate its interests, values, and vision on the world stage.

This realization was born not from crisis, but from opportunity. The changing tides of international relations—marked by rising multipolarity, digital disruption, and contested norms—created space for new actors to shape global discourse. Yet Africa, despite its growing economic influence and demographic vitality, remained underrepresented in the strategic conversations that defined the future.

The Council emerged as a response to this imbalance. It was founded by a coalition of thinkers, diplomats, entrepreneurs, and scholars who believed that Africa must not only participate in global affairs but help lead them. They envisioned a platform that would elevate African perspectives, foster strategic partnerships, and cultivate a new generation of leaders equipped to navigate complexity with clarity and conviction.

From its inception, the African Council on Foreign Relations has championed a human-centered approach to diplomacy—one rooted in ethical governance, shared sovereignty, and inclusive innovation. It serves as a bridge between continents, sectors, and generations, convening diverse voices to co-create solutions to global challenges.

The African Council on Foreign Relations (ACFR) serves as a vital platform for advancing Africa’s international agenda in the 21st century by convening actors from government, business, civil society, and academia to foster inclusive dialogue and strategic collaboration. Through this multi-sectoral engagement, ACFR promotes African-led perspectives, generates innovative policy ideas, and amplifies the continent’s voice on the global stage. By shaping narratives that reflect Africa’s complexity and aspirations, the Council contributes to redefining the continent’s role in international relations—not as a passive recipient of global trends, but as a proactive architect of equitable partnerships and ethical governance frameworks.

The African Council on Foreign Relations (ACFR) is emerging as a pioneering institution in African international affairs, driven by a robust research agenda that spans critical domains such as foreign policy, African innovations, the African International Economic Order, governance, diplomacy, technology, peace, and natural resource management. These thematic pillars reflect ACFR’s commitment to addressing the continent’s most pressing challenges while positioning Africa as a strategic actor in a rapidly evolving global order. With a network of accomplished and highly sought-after experts, the Council fosters interdisciplinary research and policy dialogue that integrates African perspectives into global governance frameworks. By cultivating thought leadership and actionable insights across sectors, ACFR is poised to shape the future of African diplomacy and global engagement with clarity, innovation, and ethical purpose.

Today, the African Council on Foreign Relations stands as a powerful testament to Africa’s agency and aspiration in global affairs. It is more than an institution—it is a movement that seeks to redefine the continent’s role in shaping a just, inclusive, and equitable international order. Through its convening power, research excellence, and strategic vision, the Council embodies a new era of African leadership—one that champions ethical innovation, fosters global partnerships, and asserts Africa’s voice in the governance of shared futures. In a world marked by shifting power dynamics and complex challenges, ACFR offers a bold and principled platform for Africa to lead with purpose and integrity.