{{short description|Pan-African research organisation}} {{Infobox organization |name = CODESRIA |native_name = ''Conseil pour le développement de la recherche en sciences sociales en Afrique'' |former_name = |image = CODESRIA.jpg |caption = |website = http://www.codesria.org |remarks = |footnotes = }} The '''Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa''' ('''CODESRIA''', French: ''Conseil pour le développement de la recherche en sciences sociales en Afrique'') is Pan-African research organisation headquartered in Dakar, Senegal. The recently outgone President is Isabel Casimiro<ref name="CODESRIAExecutiveCommittee">{{cite web |title=The Executive Committee |url=https://codesria.org/about-us-codesria/the-executive-committee/ |website=CODESRIA |access-date=18 December 2025}}</ref> while Godwin Murunga is the current Executive Secretary. <ref name="NationAppointment">{{cite news |title=Kenyan scholar Godwin Murunga lands continental think-tank job |url=https://nation.africa/kenya/news/kenyan-scholar-godwin-murunga-lands-continental-think-tank-job-372800 |work=Daily Nation |access-date=18 December 2025}}</ref>

==Background== CODESRIA was established in 1973. Its aim is to promote, facilitate and disseminate research (within the social sciences) throughout Africa and also to create a community in which members can work without barriers regarding language, country, age or gender.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |date=25 June 2015 |title=Prof Dzodzi Tsikata Elected President of CODESRIA |url=https://www.ug.edu.gh/news/prof-dzodzi-tsikata-elected-president-codesria-0 |access-date=16 September 2015 |publisher=University of Ghana}}</ref> While CODESRIA is an active research organization it does not abstain from serving as a platform for political statements.<ref>{{cite web|title=Threat of military intervention in Zimbabwe |url=http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/action/52634 |date=11 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309004300/http://pambazuka.org/en/category/action/52634 |access-date=7 October 2011 |archive-date=9 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Unlike many other organizations it does not agree with the traditional division of Africa in the social sciences where North Africa is often more or less left out, instead, it tries to equally represent the 5 regions in Africa (North Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, West Africa and South Africa).

To achieve their mission, CODESRIA cooperates with African institutes (e.g.: ERNWACA,<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110916061330/http://www.ernwaca.org/web/spip.php?article15 ERNWACA Partners]}} Retrieved 7 October 2011.</ref> FSS<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110914201708/http://www.fssethiopia.org/aboutfssdetail.php?id=2 About Forum for Social Studies (FSS)]}} Forum for Social Sciences Retrieved 7 October 2011.</ref>) and non-African institutes and organizations (e.g.: the ASC<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ascleiden.nl/Partners/MemorandumofUnderstanding.aspx |title=Strategic Partners |access-date=7 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901075640/http://www.ascleiden.nl/Partners/MemorandumofUnderstanding.aspx |archive-date=1 September 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the NAI<ref>[http://www.nai.uu.se/about/partner/ Partnerships] Retrieved 7 October 2011.</ref>). Funding is obtained through various donors ranging from the Dutch and Danish Foreign Ministries, the Senegalese Government, the Ford Foundation<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fordfoundation.org/pdfs/library/PHEA-Accomplishments-2000-2010.pdf |title=PHEA Accomplishments 2000–2010 |archive-date=26 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826113754/http://www.fordfoundation.org/pdfs/library/PHEA-Accomplishments-2000-2010.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> to the United Nations.<ref>[http://codesria.org/spip.php?article280&lang=en Become a CODESRIA Funders] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425051614/http://codesria.org/spip.php?article280&lang=en |date=2012-04-25 }} Retrieved 7 October 2011.</ref> In 1997 the organisation received one of the Prince Claus Awards. CODESRIA has three governing organs, the General Assembly being the highest, followed by the Executive Committee (headed by Sam Moyo<ref>[http://codesria.org/spip.php?article16&lang=en Prof. Sam Moyo (2008–2011)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425051628/http://codesria.org/spip.php?article16&lang=en |date=2012-04-25 }} Retrieved 7 October 2011.</ref>) and the Scientific Committee (headed by Takyiwaa Manuh<ref>{{cite web|access-date=7 October 2011 |url=http://ias.ug.edu.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=120&Itemid=54 |title=Takyiwaa Manuh – Professor |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425051614/http://ias.ug.edu.gh/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=120&Itemid=54 |archive-date=25 April 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>), each with their own specific roles.

==Contributions to Social Sciences== CODESRIA grants scholarships.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://codesria.org/spip.php?rubrique6&lang=en | title=Grants Programs – CODESRIA | access-date=2011-10-07 | archive-date=2011-12-28 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228111219/http://www.codesria.org/spip.php?rubrique6&lang=en | url-status=dead }}</ref> These grants comprise all levels from MA to post-doctoral research,<ref name="codesria.org">{{cite web|url=http://codesria.org/IMG/pdf/Annual_Rep_07_Eng.pdf|title=Annual Rep|publisher=CODESRIA|access-date=7 October 2011|archive-date=25 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425051641/http://codesria.org/IMG/pdf/Annual_Rep_07_Eng.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> organizes conferences and programs focusing on issues related to the social sciences and humanities,<ref>[http://codesria.org/spip.php?rubrique77&lang=en Research Programmes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105143929/http://www.codesria.org/spip.php?rubrique77&lang=en |date=2012-01-05 }} Retrieved 7 October 2011.</ref> publishes in various forms<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://codesria.org/spip.php?article13&lang=en | title=FAQs / CODESRIA | access-date=2011-10-07 | archive-date=2011-12-28 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111228111226/http://www.codesria.org/spip.php?article13&lang=en | url-status=dead }}</ref> (also see publications) and helps in setting up research training.<ref>[http://codesria.org/spip.php?rubrique3&lang=en Training] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105140333/http://www.codesria.org/spip.php?rubrique3&lang=en |date=2012-01-05 }} Retrieved 7 October 2011.</ref> Within the CODESRIA environment different strains of thought can be discerned, namely an older, more Marxist oriented group and a younger, neo-liberal group. A third group is characterized by people active in women studies and civil movements.<ref>http://www.volkskrant.nl/vk/nl/2668/Buitenland/archief/article/detail/653395/2005/12/17/Oude-marxisten-versus-jonge-liberalen.dhtml Retrieved 7 October 2011. {{Dead link|date=March 2016}}</ref> Most of the programs offered to people are however dominated by men with the exception of the gender institute (2007 figures).<ref name="codesria.org"/>

The CODESRIA College of Mentors, a Pan-African initiative aimed at strengthening research capacity in African universities, has featured mentors such as Abdul Karim Bangura, Mshai Mwangola, Josephine Ahikire, Amy Niang, and Laban Ayiro.<ref>{{cite web |title=2023 CODESRIA College of Mentors Doctoral Students Mentorship Institute – Facilitators and Programme of Activities |url=https://codesria.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023-CCoM-Program_Mentors.pdf |website=CODESRIA |date=23 October 2023 |access-date=24 October 2025}}</ref>

== Leadership == Since its establishment, CODESRIA has been led by Presidents and Executive Secretaries drawn from across Africa’s social science community.<ref name="CODESRIAExecutiveCommittee" /><ref name="CODESRIAFormerES">{{cite web |title=Former Executive Secretaries |url=https://codesria.org/category/former-es/ |website=CODESRIA |access-date=18 December 2025}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;" ! style="text-align:left; width:5%;" | No. ! style="text-align:left; width:65%;" | President ! style="text-align:left; width:30%;" | Term of office |- | 1 || Jacques Kazadi Nduba Wa Dile || 1973–1976 |- | 2 || Kankam Twum-Barima || 1976–1979 |- | 3 || Justinian F. Rweyemamu || 1979–1981 |- | 4 || Jacob Mumbi Mwanza || 1982–1985 |- | 5 || Claude Ake || 1986–1989 |- | 6 || Taladidia Thiombiano || 1989–1992 |- | 7 || Ernest Wamba-Dia-Wamba || 1992–1995 |- | 8 || Akilagpa Sawyerr || 1995–1998 |- | 9 || Mahmood Mamdani || 1998–2002 |- | 10 || Zenebeworke Tadesse || 2003–2005 |- | 11 || Teresa Cruz e Silva || 2005–2008 |- | 12 || Sam Moyo || 2008–2011 |- | 13 || Fatima Harrak || 2011–2015 |- | 14 || Dzodzi Tsikata || 2015–2018 |- | 15 || Isabel Maria Casimiro || 2018–2023 |}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%;" ! style="text-align:left; width:5%;" | No. ! style="text-align:left; width:65%;" | Executive Secretary ! style="text-align:left; width:30%;" | Term of office |- | 1 || Samir Amin || 1973–1975 |- | 2 || Abdalla Bujra || 1975–1985 |- | 3 || Thandika Mkandawire || 1985–1996 |- | 4 || Achille Mbembe || 1996–2000 |- | 5 || Adebayo Olukoshi || 2001–2009 |- | 6 || Ebrima Sall || 2009–2017 |- | 7 || Godwin Murunga || 2017–present |}

== Publications == {| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;" ! style="width:5%; text-align:left;" | No. ! style="width:45%; text-align:left;" | Journals ! style="width:50%; text-align:left;" | Notes |- | 1 || ''Africa Development'' || Is the quarterly bilingual journal of CODESRIA published since 1976 |- | 2 || ''African Sociological Review'' || |- | 3 || ''African Journal of International Affairs'' || A bi-annual, peer-reviewed academic journal by CODESRIA covering contemporary African international affairs (ISSN 0850-7902).<ref name="AJIAinfo">{{cite web |title=African Journal of International Affairs |url=https://codesria.org/african-journal-of-international-affairs/ |website=CODESRIA |access-date=18 December 2025}}</ref> |- | 4 || ''Afrika Zamani'' || |- | 5 || ''Identity, Culture and Politics: an Afro-Asian Dialogue'' || |- | 6 || ''CODESRIA Bulletin'' || Quarterly CODESRIA publication for social science discussion and research cooperation ISSN 0850-8712. |- | 7 || ''Journal of Higher Education in Africa'' || |- | 8 || ''Africa Review of Books'' (started 2005, {{ISSN|0851-7592}}) || The ARB ({{lang|fr|Revue Africaine de Livres}}) is published twice yearly in English and in French. It is piloted by both the Forum for Social Studies (FSS), and the National centre of research in social and cultural anthropology (CRASC). |- | 9 || ''Africa Media Review'' || |- | 10 || ''Afro-Arab Selections for Social Sciences'' || |}

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;" ! style="width:5%; text-align:left;" | No. ! style="width:45%; text-align:left;" | Online Publications ! style="width:50%; text-align:left;" | Notes |- | 1 || ''Africa Development'' || |- | 2 || ''African Sociological Review'' || A bi-annual, peer-reviewed sociology journal published by CODESRIA, welcoming scholarly articles in English and French |- | 3 || ''Afrika Zamani'' || |- | 4 || ''Identity, Culture and Politics : an Afro-Asian Dialogue'' || |- | 5 || ''Monographs on line'' || A research monograph series published by CODESRIA to disseminate original social science research and stimulate scholarly debate. |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{official website|http://www.codesria.org/}}

{{International Science Council}} {{authority control}}

Category:Scientific organizations established in 1973 Category:1973 establishments in Senegal Category:International research institutes Category:African studies Category:Organisations based in Dakar Category:Academic journals published in Africa Category:Members of the International Science Council