Progress
35%Aim
The Encyclopaedia Africana is a comprehensive, peer-reviewed scholarly compendium of African history, culture, philosophy, science, and biography, conceived to reclaim Africa's intellectual heritage and provide an authoritative African-centred reference for scholars, students, and policymakers worldwide.
Progress to date
Originally conceived by Kwame Nkrumah and W.E.B. DuBois in 1962, the project was revived as an AU flagship. The secretariat is based in Accra, Ghana, and is currently editing Volume IV, focused on Africa's contribution to science, technology, and innovation. Earlier volumes covering history, biography, and culture have been published.
Challenges
Chronic underfunding, the reliance on a small volunteer scholarly network, and the difficulty of coordinating peer-reviewed content across 55 countries in multiple languages significantly slow the publication pace.
Next steps
The AU Commission is seeking dedicated funding to professionalise the editorial operation, accelerate the digital edition of all volumes, and expand the contributor network to ensure comprehensive coverage of all African regions and disciplines.