For students of Africa, the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) is perhaps the most important learning institution in the world. One of the colleges of the University of London, its relatively small size and narrow focus belies its formidable reputation in all things pertaining to African studies, from its unmatched selection of language courses to its detailed history and politics programs. The SOAS library also houses what is perhaps the world’s most extensive collection of research and literature relating to Africa.

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation is working closely with SOAS to help train the next generation of African leaders in issues of governance, through PhD scholarships, residential schools, an annual series of governance lectures and sponsoring strategy papers for African research fellows.