African Studies Association

What African Studies Association does

The African Studies Association (ASA), founded in 1957, is the largest globally represented private nonprofit membership organization dedicated to African studies. Headquartered at Rutgers University's Livingston Campus in Piscataway, New Jersey, ASA serves a global community of academic scholars, researchers, graduate students, K-16 educators, development professionals, and policy makers with interests in Africa. It is governed by a Board of Directors and managed by a 12-person Secretariat led by Executive Director Alix Saba.

ASA's core offerings center on two peer-reviewed academic journals — African Studies Review and History in Africa — co-published with Cambridge University Press and providing the global publication backbone for the field. The flagship Annual Meeting (the 69th edition is scheduled for 2026) convenes thousands of Africanist scholars for panels, keynotes, networking, and exhibitions, supported by an Emerging Scholars Network for graduate students and junior faculty. Additional services include a specialist directory, job board, K-16 teaching resources, podcasts, video recordings from past meetings, and a coordinate/affiliate organization network spanning more than 20 partners. The organization administers 35+ annual awards and prizes, including the Distinguished Africanist Award, ASA Best Book Prize, Bethwell A. Ogot Book Prize, and the Chinua Achebe Manuscript Prize (established 2026).

Revenue is generated through individual and institutional membership dues (priced at undisclosed tiered rates), Annual Meeting registration and corporate sponsorship fees, publication revenues and advertising, and charitable donations via endowed funds and capital campaigns (e.g., Carnegie Corporation of New York partnership, the Invest in a New Generation Campaign, ASA Legacy Circle, and Alliance of Lifetime Donors). Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is gated behind contact with the secretariat. Distribution is primarily direct via the MyASA member portal and the Annual Meeting, with journal reach extended globally through the Cambridge University Press distribution network.

Name

African Studies Association

Legal name

African Studies Association

Website

https://africanstudies.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1957

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The African Studies Association, founded in 1957, is a private nonprofit membership organization serving academic scholars, researchers, graduate students, educators, and policy professionals with interests in Africa. It publishes two peer-reviewed journals with Cambridge University Press and hosts the world's largest annual gathering of Africanist scholars.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Scholarly Association

NAICS

Professional Organizations (813920), Business Associations (813910)

akta.pro primary industry

Scholarly Society & Association Publishing (EDAGAFAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Academic & Scientific Conferences (MPAGAGAD)

Keywords

• Academic membership organization
• Scholarly association
• Peer-reviewed academic journals
• Academic conference services
• African studies research

Headquarters

HQ city

Piscataway

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: ASA generates revenue through individual and institutional membership fees. Members receive access to publications, the annual meeting, networking opportunities, specialist directory, job board, and various professional development resources.
2. Annual Meeting Revenue: Registration fees for the Annual Meeting, including conference attendance, workshops, and exhibitor/sponsor fees.
3. Publications and Advertising: Revenue from journal publications with Cambridge University Press and advertising opportunities in newsletters and at the annual meeting.
4. Donations and Sponsorships: The organization receives charitable donations through various funds including the Invest in a New Generation Campaign, ASA Legacy Circle, and Alliance of Lifetime Donors. Corporate sponsorships are available for the annual meeting.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The African Studies Association is a nonprofit membership organization that provides scholarly infrastructure for the global African studies community. Its core offerings include two peer-reviewed academic journals (African Studies Review and History in Africa) published with Cambridge University Press, an annual meeting convening Africanist scholars worldwide, a member portal, job board, specialist directory, emerging scholars network, and over 35 annual awards and prizes recognizing excellence in African studies scholarship.

Product overview

The African Studies Association operates as a membership organization offering a portfolio of scholarly products and services centered on African studies. The core offerings include two peer-reviewed journals published with Cambridge University Press: African Studies Review (ASR) and History in Africa (HiA), both of which award annual prizes recognizing excellence in the field. The ASA Annual Meeting is the flagship event, convening the global Africanist scholarly community annually. Additional offerings include the MyASA Member Portal for member services, the Emerging Scholars Network providing professional development for graduate students and junior scholars, the ASA Job Board connecting employers with candidates, the Specialist Directory of member experts, and digital content including podcasts and video recordings. The organization administers over 35 annual awards and prizes spanning books, dissertations, films, and service contributions. Teaching resources for K-16 educators and a network of coordinate and affiliate organizations round out the portfolio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• African Studies Review (ASR) A transdisciplinary peer-reviewed journal published with Cambridge University Press covering African studies across disciplines. Accepts scholarly submissions and awards prizes including Best Africa-focused Anthology and Best Africa-based Dissertation awards.
• History in Africa (HiA) A peer-reviewed journal focused on sources, methods, and scholarly debates in African history, published with Cambridge University Press. Features submissions engaging with written, oral, material, and digital source materials.
• ASA Annual Meeting Annual gathering convening scholars, students, and professionals with interests in Africa. The 69th meeting is scheduled for 2026. Includes curated panels, keynote lectures, networking opportunities, and exhibition space.
• MyASA Member Portal Online member portal providing access to membership services, exclusive content, and community features for African Studies Association members. Members can manage their membership, register for events, and access member-only resources.
• Emerging Scholars Network (ESN) Network supporting graduate students and junior scholars in African studies through mentorship, networking, career development resources, and professionalization opportunities.
• ASA Awards & Prizes Program Portfolio of over 35 annual awards recognizing contributions to African studies including Distinguished Africanist Award, Best Book Prize, Bethwell A. Ogot Book Prize, Graduate Student Paper Prize, Sembène-Kelani Film Prize, and travel awards.
• ASA Job Board Online platform listing academic and professional job opportunities in African studies, including tenure-track positions, lectureships, and other academic appointments.
• ASA Specialist Directory Searchable directory of ASA member specialists available for consultation, media appearances, and professional collaboration in various African studies fields.
• ASA Podcast Series Audio podcast series featuring discussions, interviews, and scholarly content related to African studies and the annual meeting.
• ASA Selected Recordings Video recordings from past ASA Annual Meetings, making scholarly presentations and keynotes accessible for educational purposes.
• K-16 Teaching Resources Teaching materials and resources for K-12 and undergraduate educators focused on African studies, managed in partnership with ASA Outreach Council.
• ASA News Newsletter Official newsletter of the African Studies Association featuring announcements, press releases, member news, and updates on association activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 35 awards and prizes awarded annually to recognize outstanding contributions to African studies
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Cambridge University PresscoreTechnology or IntegrationASA publishes its two leading journals, African Studies Review and History in Africa, in partnership with Cambridge University Press. This partnership provides global distribution and publishing infrastructure for ASA's peer-reviewed academic publications.
• Rutgers UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASA is headquartered at Rutgers University's Livingston Campus in Piscataway, New Jersey. Rutgers provides administrative infrastructure and support for the association's secretariat operations.
• African Literature AssociationmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCoordinate organization that presents sponsored panels and holds meetings at the ASA Annual Meeting. Received $500 micro grant in 2026 for keynote speakers at their annual conference.
• CongoResearchNetworkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate organization that received $500 micro grant in 2026 to support a reception at the ASA Annual Meeting in New Orleans.
• Central African Studies AssociationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJointly awarded $750 micro grant with Congolese Studies Association to support the CASA and CSA conference in Kinshasa.
• Congolese Studies AssociationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJointly awarded $750 micro grant with Central African Studies Association to support the CASA and CSA conference in Kinshasa.
• Ghana Studies AssociationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReceived $750 micro grant to support their triennial conference in Kumasi, July 2026.
• ASA Women's CaucusmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFounded in 1970, this coordinate organization advocates for women in African studies. The Robertson Fund supports the Women's Caucus Marketplace through Student Volunteer Attendance Stipends.
• Africana Librarians CouncilmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCoordinate organization that administers the Gretchen Walsh Book Donation Award and Conover-Porter Award, supporting African libraries and bibliography.
• SportsAfricaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner organization that co-hosts events with ASA including Sports Africa Trivia Night at the Annual Meeting.
• Outreach Council African Studies AssociationminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCoordinate organization focused on outreach and education about Africa, administering K-16 Teaching Resources.
• Arts Council of the African Studies Association (ACASA)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCoordinate organization dedicated to arts and cultural studies related to Africa.
• African Politics Conference GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate organization focusing on African politics scholarship and conferences.
• The Africa NetworkminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate organization serving African studies scholars and students.
• African Association for the Study of Religions (AASR)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate organization focused on the study of religions in Africa.
• African Studies in Europe (AEGIS)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate organization representing African studies scholarship in Europe.
• Association of African Women ScholarsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate organization supporting African women scholars.
• Africa-America InstituteminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate organization promoting Africa-U.S. relations and educational exchange.
• African Studies Association of IndiaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate organization representing African studies scholarship in India.
• AfricaAccessminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate organization providing resources and access to African studies materials.
• Africa Today: Voice of the ContinentminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliate organization covering African current affairs and scholarship.
• Fulbright Scholar ProgrammajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization supporting academic exchange between the U.S. and other countries including African nations.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• American Historical Association (AHA): The largest U.S. professional society for historians. Operates a similar membership-plus-journal-plus-annual-meeting model but at much greater scale and disciplinary breadth, serving as a broad-incumbent reference point for governance and member engagement.
• Modern Language Association (MLA): Major U.S. scholarly association for language and literature. Publishes flagship journals via Cambridge University Press and convenes a large annual convention, mirroring ASA's publishing and conference model at disciplinary scale.

Direct peers

• Middle East Studies Association (MESA): U.S.-based scholarly association for Middle East studies. Operates the same membership-plus-journal-plus-annual-meeting-plus-affiliate-caucus structure that ASA uses.
• Association for Asian Studies (AAS): The premier U.S. scholarly association for Asian studies. Shares the area-studies-membership-society model with peer-reviewed journals (published with Cambridge University Press), an annual conference, and extensive awards programs.
• Association for the Study of the Worldwide African Diaspora (ASWAD): Scholarly association focused on the African diaspora. Holds a biennial conference and engages a closely overlapping scholarly community, making it a thematic-area peer within the broader Africanist ecosystem.
• Latin American Studies Association (LASA): The largest U.S.-based area studies scholarly association for Latin Americanists. Closely mirrors ASA's structure — peer-reviewed journals, large annual congress, awards, and section/affiliate networks — making it the cleanest structural peer.
• African Studies in Europe (AEGIS): A European consortium coordinating African studies scholarship across the continent. Already an ASA affiliate, but also a competitive convening body for European- and Africa-based Africanists.
• African Studies Association of the UK (ASAUK): The UK counterpart scholarly association for African studies. Operates the same membership-society-plus-journal-plus-annual-meeting model and is the most direct international competitor for Africanist members and scholars.

Others

• Cambridge University Press: ASA's publishing partner for African Studies Review and History in Africa. An infrastructure provider rather than competitor, but materially shapes ASA's reach, prestige, and revenue economics.
• Carnegie Corporation of New York: A major ASA foundation partner funding fellowship programs. Not a competitive peer, but a key ecosystem enabler whose funding underwrites a significant share of ASA's Africa-based programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ASANewsOnline
• YouTubeyoutube.com/africanstudiesassociation
• Facebookfacebook.com/1957ASA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/african-studies-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/asanewsonline

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about African Studies Association