What this life looks like
You generate the knowledge that builds better policies, practices, and understanding. Academic Researchers investigate questions about the world — through experiments, surveys, ethnography, document analysis, or computational methods — producing new knowledge that advances their field. In Africa, researchers who investigate African problems with African perspectives and methodologies are building the knowledge base that will shape the continent's development for generations.
What she actually does
You identify a research question, review existing literature, design a methodology, collect and analyse data, interpret findings, write research papers and reports, present at conferences, peer-review others' work, collaborate with international partners, engage policymakers and practitioners with research implications, and continuously develop your expertise and methodological repertoire.
Where you can work
| Sector | Places in Africa |
|---|---|
| Universities | Research departments and centres at all African universities — the primary employer of academic researchers |
| Research Institutes | APHRC (African Population & Health Research Center), IITA, IWMI Africa — specialist research institutions |
| Development Organisations | World Bank Africa Research, AfDB Economic Research, IDRC, IFPRI — development research organisations |
| Think Tanks | SAIIA (SA), African Centre for Economic Transformation, ISS — policy-oriented research institutions |
Why it matters in Africa
Africa is the most under-researched continent in proportion to its population and the scale of its challenges. Most research about Africa is conducted by non-African institutions. Building a generation of rigorous, Africa-based researchers who ask African questions with African data and publish for African and global audiences is one of the most important investments in Africa's intellectual future. Initiatives like IDRC's African Research Network and the Wellcome Trust's African Institutions Initiative are supporting this mission.
Your pathway in
- Excel academically and pursue postgraduate education to at least master's level — a PhD is required for independent academic research careers
- Develop strong research methodology skills: quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods
- Build expertise in research ethics — particularly important for research involving human participants
- Publish early: co-author with supervisors and colleagues to build your publications record
- Connect with African research networks: African Research Initiative, the African Journals Online (AJOL), and CODESRIA (Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa)
Skills you will need
- Research design and methodology
- Statistical analysis (SPSS, R, Stata)
- Academic writing
- Literature review
- Data ethics
- Grant writing and research management
A woman in this field
Agnes Binagwaho
Rwanda
Agnes is a Rwandan physician, Professor, and former Minister of Health of Rwanda who has published over 200 peer-reviewed papers on health systems, HIV/AIDS, and health equity in Africa. As Vice Chancellor of the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) in Rwanda, she is building an institution that trains African health professionals to conduct research on African health challenges. She is one of Africa's most prolific and influential health researchers and a fierce advocate for research rooted in African realities.
Take your first step
- Read three peer-reviewed research papers on a topic you care about — note the structure (abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion) and practice identifying the research question and key findings
- Research AJOL (African Journals Online) at ajol.info — it hosts thousands of African-published journals and is the best starting point for understanding African academic research output
- Study the basics of research ethics through a free online tutorial — CITI Programme (citiprogram.org) offers free research ethics training
- Connect with your university's research department and ask about undergraduate research opportunities or research assistant positions — starting research experience early transforms your postgraduate trajectory