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Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa                +221 76 609 13 05 | codesria@codesria.org

       

       

AFRIAK 2026

AFRIAK

African Fellowships for Research in Indigenous and Alternative Knowledges

Formally launched in November 2024 with the support of the Mastercard Foundation, AFRIAK is a three-year research, learning and mentorship programme dedicated to nurturing a new generation of African researchers and practitioners who work alongside Indigenous knowledge keepers to generate transformative ideas, solutions, and pathways for Africa’s future. The Fellowship is inspired by and honours the legacy of Dr. Sulley Gariba, a Ghanaian intellectual whose work championed Indigenous knowledge and evaluation in Africa.

2026 Induction Workshop u2014 Cotonou, Benin

The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) is delighted to welcome you to the 2026 AFRIAK Induction Workshop, which brings together the second cohort of AFRIAK Fellows, resource persons and partners.

The Workshop will be held in Cotonou, Benin, from 4 to 12 August 2026. To ensure smooth participation and stay in Cotonou, fellows and partners are invited to consult the official Information Note for full logistical details.

Dates: 4–12 August 2026  |  Venue: Cotonou, Benin  |  Cohort: Second AFRIAK Cohort

Draft Programme

Why AFRIAK?

For centuries, African societies have nurtured deep reservoirs of knowledge – embedded in their communities, cultures, and ecosystems – yet often sidelined by dominant Western approaches to research, education, and policy. AFRIAK responds to this imbalance by valuing Indigenous and local knowledges as equally valid systems of thought, fostering respectful co-creation between young researchers and Indigenous knowledge keepers, and transforming livelihoods by applying Indigenous knowledge to create dignified, fulfilling work – especially for young people and women.

AFRIAK is a platform for research, training, mentoring, and action, built around three activities: a Research & Fellowship Programme, Policy Convenings, and an Alumni & Community of Practice network.

Key Facts

  • Duration: 7 months (induction, fieldwork, residency at an intellectual hub, dissemination)
  • Eligibility: African nationals aged 35 and below, resident in Africa
  • Applications: Individual or group (3–5 members, 70% women minimum)
  • Funding: Fully funded with a monthly stipend
  • Mentorship: Academic mentors and Indigenous knowledge keepers
  • Target: 400 fellows over 3 years, 70% young women
  • Languages: Applications accepted in English, French and Portuguese
  • Contact: afriak@codesria.org

Research Themes

• Indigenous Knowledge (IK) and methods of knowing

• Indigenous medical science and practices

• IK and the creative sector

• IK and systems of entrepreneurship

• Agriculture and agri-food systems

• Mobilizing digital systems for IK in Africa

• Indigenous pedagogies and curriculum development

• IK in social capital development

• Indigenous technologies and sustainable development

• IK, climate change, and ecological sustainability

• IK heritage in nutrition

• Indigenous languages and science

• IK, religion and spirituality

• IK, governance systems and state-building

Learn More

About AFRIAK  |  FAQ – AFRIAK 2026  |  2026 Call for Proposals

Meet the 2026 AFRIAK Fellows