The Africa Initiative (AI) brings Africa to Duke's campus in Durham.

The initiative is a faculty-led effort to connect scholars across Duke who have an interest in the countries and cultures of the African continent. AI encourages discussion about African politics, economics, society and culture and fosters interdisciplinary academic and research collaborations related to Africa on campus.

Duke faculty and students are also actively engaged in service learning opportunities, courses and research projects on the African continent.

The Africa Initiative is sponsored by the von der Heyden Fellows Fund, established by Karl (’62) and Mary Ellen von der Heyden.