French Institute for Research in Africa in Nairobi (IFRA-Nairobi)

The French Institute for Research in Africa in Nairobi ((IFRA-Nairobi) has been active in East Africa since 1977. Research is focused on the following countries: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi (as well as eastern DRC, in the Kivus).

IFRA promotes research in all the disciplines of the social sciences and humanities, mainly geography, political science, anthropology and history. Archaeology missions are also supported.

IFRA’s main missions are as follows:

To increase understanding of contemporary dynamics in East Africa and foster knowledge dissemination. Research undertaken leads to the publication of books, journals, reports and conferences. To provide training in research to French, East African and European students (master, PhD) and junior researchers (postdoc) by supporting field work study, networking between both researchers and institutions, integration within research programmes, and publications and visibility. To strengthen institutional relationship between French and East African universities and research institutes by supporting collaborative operations, agreements for international cooperation, academic exchanges and mobilities at PhD and Master’s levels. IFRA works under the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) and the Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS, France’s main research body). It is part of th research unit UAR3336 (Unité d’appui et de recherche) with SFDAS in Khartoum, IFRA-Ibadan and IFAS-Recherche in Johannesburg. It is also part of the ‘French Research Centers Abroad’ network, called UMIFRE.

A Scientific Council provides scientific guidance and contributes to selecting IFRA’s staff. Its current members are: LESOURD Céline, DERAT Marie-Laure, LOMBARD Jérôme, WION Anaïs, GARY-TOUNKARA Daouda, BRISSET-FOUCAULT Florence, RILLON Ophélie, GOLAZ Valérie, BOLTZ Marie, NAKANABO DIALLO Rozenn, BALLARIN Marie-Pierre, BOURDIER Camille, and VIGNAUD Patrick.