Since its launch in July 2023, the Africa Charter for Transformative Research Collaborations has attracted more than 140 signatory institutions (including universities, research institutes, university associations, learned societies, publishers) across Africa, Europe, North America and Australia. The Development Studies Association is proud to be one. Find out how to become a signatory.

On 1st October 2026, the First Africa Charter Forum was convened at the University of Cape Town to launch a framework of action which constitutes two major sections: ‘what does it mean to be a signatory’ and ‘a roadmap of suggested actions’. The roadmap was developed in consultation with signatories who participated in two rounds of virtual seminars commenting on a draft content in July 2026. The roadmap contains ten concert steps that serves as guideline for signatories to implement the Africa Charter in their respective organisational settings.

The Africa Charter has also launched an independent website: https://africacharter.org/– which will be the main platform of communicating with signatories and facilitating the exchange of information and learning practices and the two new documents will be uploaded to the website shortly.