About Africa Strategia
A collaborative platform bringing together a global community of researchers around Africa’s strategic issues.
Africa Strategia (Afstrat) is a collaborative platform bringing together a global community of researchers around Africa’s strategic issues. Founded in France in 2025 by young academics based in Africa, Europe and North America, it aims to go beyond the traditional role of a think tank by developing, at the same time, scientific production, network building, scientific events, academic cooperation and specialised training.
A non-profit association (loi 1901, RNA W751283940) headquartered in Créteil, France, Afstrat’s purpose is to contribute to the production, circulation and promotion of knowledge about Africa, by fostering dialogue between researchers, academics, experts and anyone interested in the continent’s transformations and its international positioning.
Vision
Anticipating change, informing decisions.
Afstrat aspires to be a key player in strategic thinking on Africa, recognised for its expertise and its ability to anticipate geopolitical and economic change and its managerial implications. Its goal is to provide high-quality analyses that influence decision-makers and contribute to the continent’s development.
Mission
Seven commitments.
Produce rigorous and independent analyses of African and international issues.
Provide strategic monitoring, competitive monitoring and economic intelligence.
Train a new generation of experts in international relations and strategic intelligence.
Help governments, companies and organisations make strategic decisions.
Support companies in their international development.
Contribute to debates and to public policy-making through studies and recommendations.
Promote and support African university research, by showcasing work and awarding grants.
Core values
What we stand for
Rigour and excellence
Our analyses are based on scientific methods and verified sources.
Independence and objectivity
We guarantee thinking that is free from any political, economic or religious influence.
Innovation and adaptability
We integrate new trends and technologies to improve our approaches.
Commitment to Africa
We place African expertise, and expertise from diverse backgrounds, at the service of the continent’s development.
Target audience
Who our work is for
African governments and public institutions
Commissioned studies, reform support and training of officials.
International and regional organisations
UN, AU, EU, ECCAS, ECOWAS and the donors who fund research.
Companies and investors
Understanding risks, opportunities and the business environment in Africa.
Universities, research centres and students
International relations, management, economics and law.
NGOs and media
Engaged in analysing the continent’s strategic issues.
Team
The people behind the work
A team of academics based in Africa, Europe and North America, supported by a network of external collaborators.
Executive Board
Roger ZINTCHEM
President
Hôpital Tenon, Sorbonne University
PhD in physiology and ethnopharmacology, senior lecturer (Maître de Conférences) in physiology, with a master’s degree in quality and safety of care pathways. Health manager in the infectious and tropical diseases department of Hôpital Tenon (Sorbonne University). Researcher at the General Metabolic and Endocrinologic Systems (GEMS) unit, Faculty of Sciences, Yaoundé, and in pharmacokinetics at the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Yaoundé.
Amang À NGON
Co-founder and Vice-President
ESSEC, University of Douala
Senior lecturer in marketing at the University of Douala, and expert in strategy, skills development and organisational transformation in Africa. Over twenty years of experience at the interface between academia, the private sector and public policy. Consultant to international institutions (KPMG, GIZ, AUDA-NEPAD, AFD, etc.) and partner in strategic industrial projects, he bridges research, the productive sector and the public sector.
Andréa LAQUET
Secretary General
ILERI, Lyon
Lecturer and geopolitics analyst, specialising in sub-Saharan Africa and religions. She has taught for years at higher schools of international relations and at Sciences Po Lyon.
HN
Hélène Florence NGAH
Deputy Secretary General
André Narcisse NGON
Executive Administrator
University of Douala
PhD in international relations and strategic studies, specialising in security governance and defence cooperation in Africa. Permanent lecturer-researcher in the Department of Political Science at the University of Douala (Cameroon) and visiting lecturer at the École nationale de diplomatie, négociation et médiation (ENDNM) of the Université des Martyrs du Congo (DRC). Editorial collaborator on the AGCI Book project, Africa Initiative, University of Bern (Switzerland).
Chirine MOUSSA
Treasurer
Université Paris-Saclay
Student at the Grande École du Droit of Université Paris-Saclay, in a programme specialising in international business law and Common Law. She is particularly interested in investment, public policy and international economic relations, notably in Africa.
Collegial Leadership
DD
Djouroukoro DIALLO
Member
Africa Initiative, University of Bern
KM
Kahina MELLAB
Member
Amour Joël OMBASSA
Communications Officer
Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
PhD candidate in social communication at the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières. His research topic is social media in Canadian international relations. In 2025, he was selected for the Summer School in London, where he deepened his knowledge of the foundations and practice of diplomacy. His research focuses on the impact of digital social media, political communication and public diplomacy.
Emmanuel Dulac HOUSSOU
Member
École publique de journalisme de Tours (EPJT)
Holder of a master’s degree in political science, specialising in democracy, governance and media. He is completing a second master’s degree in international French-language journalism, with a print, web and multimedia specialisation, at the École publique de journalisme de Tours (EPJT). His interests lie in the links between digital transformation, citizen participation and democratic spaces in French-speaking Africa.
Mélina RITEJ Abichou
Activities Coordination Support Officer
Université Paris-Saclay
Law student, also enrolled in an English-Chinese university diploma at Université Paris-Saclay, currently on exchange at Wuhan University for an LLM in International Law. She has a keen interest in the dynamics of decolonisation and de-westernisation of the African continent, and in the geopolitical, economic and strategic issues of Sino-African relations.
Fankem FANKEM
Head of the Partnerships Unit
PhD in international relations and diplomacy. Lecturer in geopolitics, specialist in new forms of conflict and cyberconflicts. Civil protection consultant.
Roadmap
Our objectives
Short term
1 — 2 years
Structure the organisation and establish key partnerships.
Publish the first strategic studies and organise the launch events.
Set up specialised training courses and certifications.
Build a network of African and international experts.
Medium term
5 — 10 years
Become a centre of excellence in strategic intelligence in Africa.
Influence the continent’s public policies and its economic and managerial strategies.