About the Department

The Department of African Studies at the University of Delhi, founded in December 1954 through the efforts of first Prime Minister of India Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, holds an important place in India's academic history. It became the first Department in India dedicated solely to African studies when it formally launched in August 1955. The Department functions as an area studies department, focusing on the study of Africa's history, sociology, culture, politics, geography, and economy, and how these aspects align with Africa, India, and global scenarios. The Indian government supported its goal of developing and maintaining India-Africa relations, which continued till today by reflecting shared struggles and aspirations.

The Department played a key role in advancing the research on Africa by expanding its offerings throughout time to include various degrees, such as PhD, Diplomas and Certificate in subjects like Swahili Certificate and International Trade with Africa, as well as an MA in African Studies.

The Department offers courses that reflect its wide range of specialization, covering topics such as African history, geography, politics, sociology, economics and even languages like Swahili. The MA program at the Department offers a wide range of topics, from international relations and development to African geography and history, providing students with a thorough grasp of Africa from a global perspective. For students wishing to interact with the expanding economies of Africa, the Postgraduate Diploma in International Trade with Africa is very relevant since it offers real-world perspectives on commerce and business.