About
The Georgetown Africa-China Initiative (ACI) is a hub for the growing community of scholars and students interested in understanding and expanding the study of the relationships between African countries and China. The ACI is focused on leveraging global research expertise to foster an accurate, historical and critical understanding of how China and all 54 African countries negotiate and engage with each other.
Through various types of activities, including thematic public events, research working groups, policy-focused engagement, and student-centered work, the Africa-China Initiative builds on the strength of the School of Foreign Service’s African Studies Program and Asian Studies Program. The ACI, like the School, is unique in pairing the very best scholars with practitioners, to challenge our students, policy-makers, other researchers, and our audiences to reconsider established norms and practices.
The ACI accomplishes this by identifying and sharing cutting-edge and forward-looking research that reflects shifting international dynamics, without losing important historical, cultural, and economic nuances. This includes using traditional area studies to enhance the role of transregional studies, which reflects the way that people, products, and power move in the 21st century. The activities of the ACI and the community of scholars, practitioners, and students that are becoming a part of the Initiative have become a valuable resource to anyone interested in learning and engaging more about Africa-China engagements.