Recently, Harvard University opened its first cross-disciplinary research center in Sub-Saharan Africa; the Center for African Studies in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Harvard Center for African Studies office in Johannesburg aims to facilitate and strengthen relationships with business, cultural, and academic leaders across the African continent. Working with its companion office in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the office will seek to lower barriers to research for African and international scholars across the continent. It will also serve as a resource for the increasing number of Harvard students and faculty members conducting research and traveling to Africa.
Currently, there are over 3,000 Harvard alumni living in Africa, with a third living in South Africa. More than 100 Harvard faculty members are conducting research and teaching on topics related to Africa. A large number of Harvard students originate from African countries such as Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, and Zimbabwe.