About us

An intellectual institution dedicated to fostering dialogue between Canada and Africa.

IDÉES-AFRIQUE — Institute for the Study of Contemporary Dynamics of the State and Societies in Africa — is an independent think tank, a cultural platform and a network-based international cooperation organisation.

About

An institution dedicated to the contemporary dynamics of African states and societies.

IDÉES-AFRIQUE brings together research, culture and international cooperation to foster dialogue between Canada and Africa.

IDÉES-AFRIQUE — Institute for the Study of Contemporary Dynamics of the State and Societies in Africa — is an independent organisation incorporated under Canadian law, with its headquarters in Montreal. The institute fulfils three complementary functions: a think tank producing critical analyses, a cultural platform for dissemination and outreach, and a publishing infrastructure serving public debate.

Our remit is to shed light on the institutional, political, economic and cultural transformations taking place in contemporary African societies, and to foster an ongoing dialogue between Canada, Africa and the diasporas. We operate as a network, based on a model inspired by international organisations: national focal points, operational hubs and structured academic partnerships.

The institute directs its work towards universities, public decision-makers, multilateral organisations, donors and the informed general public. Its editorial independence, methodological rigour and transparent governance form the basis of its credibility with partner institutions.

Strategic block

Global Outreach — a transnational network organisation.

Following the model of international organisations, IDÉES-AFRIQUE has established a structured regional presence: national focal points, operational hubs, academic partnerships and participation in major cultural and diplomatic forums.

Canada–Africa Hub: Montréal ⇄ Dakar ⇄ Yaoundé

Our focal points

12 African countries covered

IDÉES-AFRIQUE’s national representatives and correspondents who liaise with local ecosystems.

DakarAbidjanLoméCotonouBamakoYaoundéKinshasaLibrevilleKigaliNairobiRabatJohannesburg

Select a location (by clicking or pressing Enter) to view the national representative.

Regional network

12 national focal points

Select a country on the map to view the national representative, their remit and the region they cover.

Senegal

Dakar

West Africa Focal Point

Research & academic partnerships

West Africa

Ivory Coast

Abidjan

National correspondent

Cultural and editorial programmes

West Africa

Togo

Lomé

National correspondent

Research into regional mobility

West Africa

Benin

Cotonou

National correspondent

Cultural Heritage and Cultural Industries

West Africa

Mali

Bamako

National correspondent

Studies on the State and Sahelian Societies

West Africa

Cameroon

Yaoundé

Central Africa Focal Point

Academic and cultural partnerships

Central Africa

RDC

Kinshasa

National correspondent

Editorial and artistic programmes

Central Africa

Gabon

Libreville

National correspondent

Public policy research

Central Africa

Rwanda

Kigali

National correspondent

Memory, Governance and Innovation

East Africa

Kenya

Nairobi

National correspondent

English-speaking liaison offices and regional partnerships

East Africa

Morocco

Rabat

National correspondent

Cultural diplomacy and North-South cooperation

North Africa

South Africa

Johannesburg

National correspondent

Comparative research and academic cooperation

Southern Africa

IDÉES-AFRIQUE Hubs

Branch offices and liaison offices

Montreal· Canada

Institutional headquarters

International coordination, governance and strategy

Dakar· Senegal

Operational hub

Research programmes in West Africa and residencies

Yaoundé· Cameroon

Operational hub

Cultural programmes and doctoral partnerships

Paris· France

Branch under development

Editorial liaison and European cultural diplomacy

Abidjan· Ivory Coast

Branch under development

Coordination of cultural industries programmes

Academic partnerships

Canadian and African partner universities

  • University of Montreal
  • McGill University
  • University of Ottawa
  • Cheikh Anta Diop University (Dakar)
  • University of Yaoundé II
  • Félix Houphouët-Boigny University (Abidjan)
  • Mohammed V University (Rabat)
  • University of the Witwatersrand (Johannesburg)
  • International presence

    Projects, forums and platforms

  • 2024

    MASA

    Abidjan

    African Performing Arts Market

  • 2024

    REMCA

    Dakar

    Canada–Africa Municipalities Economic Forum

  • 2024

    CGLU Afrique — Africities Summit

    Kigali

    African Local Government Forum

  • 2025

    Mawazine Festival

    Rabat

    International cultural platform

  • 2025

    UNESCO World Forum

    Paris

    Cultural policies and heritage

  • 2024

    Francophonie Summit

    Villers-Cotterêts

    Francophone multilateral cooperation

  • Transnational legitimacy serving the interests of donors and partners.

    Network logic, soft power and a documented local presence: this section serves as a key reference for grant applications to Canadian Heritage, the CAC, the CALQ and Global Affairs Canada.

    Reports & Transparency