Alliance for African Partnership (AAP) is a consortium of 10 leading African universities, a distinguished research network for African research institutes, and Michigan State University (MSU) that builds on MSU’s over 65 year history of collaborating with African institutions. Our goal is to co-create innovative solutions to global challenges with our members, working collaboratively with other international partners to transform lives in Africa.
Founded by Michigan State University in 2016 in collaboration with African colleagues, the Alliance for African Partnership (AAP) is a consortium of MSU, ten leading African universities, and a distinguished network for African research institutes. AAP members are committed to working in equitable partnership to transform lives and address global challenges. AAP builds on MSU’s long-term engagement in Africa, building on the foundation laid by the African Studies Center and evolving models of engagement in line with AAP’s guiding principles of accountability, equity, inclusivity, sustainability and transparency.
AAP takes a cooperative approach to addressing global challenges by building networks across all sectors—including universities, NGOs, government, and the private sector— to partner around core thematic areas including agri-food systems; water, energy, and the environment; culture; youth empowerment; education; health and nutrition; and science, technology, and innovation. AAP has also identified three program pillars focused on 1) building bridges across sectors, disciplines, and continents; 2) transforming institutions so they are better able to engage in equitable and sustainable partnerships; and 3) transforming lives on the ground through engaged research and scholarship that address shared challenges. Gender and inclusion, and policy are both cross-cutting themes of the AAP and are woven into all AAP-sponsored and implemented activities. AAP catalyzes, supports, and mobilizes its multidirectional partnerships in such a way that the resulting activities positively transform institutions and livelihoods in Africa, the U.S., and beyond.
Consortium members are well-situated to work together with other partners to address many of the most pressing challenges of our time. AAP effectively leverages consortium members’ expertise and networks to position the members at the forefront of development and globalization initiatives on the continent, broadening long-term collaborative relationships among African universities, MSU and other partner institutions, and ultimately making positive change in Africa and globally.
Currently, AAP is primarily funded through an initial annual investment from MSU, with the goal of long-term sustainability through shared investment from consortium members and external funders. This initial investment is already showing strong returns for members not only in terms of attracting external funding, but also in raising the visibility and reputation of their institutions and the AAP consortium.
Learn more about our mission, vision and guiding principles through our strategic plan: