UNC’s presence in Africa has a varied and long history. Faculty and students are engaged in research, teaching and service activities in over 20 African countries. From poverty to health care delivery, infectious diseases to land use, social justice to education, UNC has partnered with community organizations, NGOs, and local and national government to address Africa’s most critical issues.

Student interest in Africa has increased markedly, and the number of students participating in study abroad programs in Africa has more than doubled in the past five years. As one of the few universities in the Southeast with an active commitment to African-American studies, UNC has a unique environment and many opportunities for productive collaboration among scholars in African and African-American studies.

Health-related programs are the foundation of UNC’s work in Sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria in Malawi, TB in the Democratic Republic of Congo, surgery in Uganda, water and sanitation in Ghana, and HIV/AIDS across sub-Saharan Africa are the subject of some of the university’s health initiatives.

In Africa as elsewhere, UNC is committed to long-term growth and capacity-building. IGHID is training a growing number of African health care professionals in both Africa and the United States to increase local knowledge and ensure sustainable programs.

The success of UNC’s Africa programs is due to their highly collaborative nature. This interdisciplinary approach leverages the university’s strengths to address health issues comprehensively, from underlying causes to immediate observable effects. Integral to these collaborations are pan-university organizations such as IGHID, the Carolina Population Center, and the Center for Health Promotion & Disease Prevention.