The Conversation Africa is a pan-African, nonprofit newsroom that commissions academic experts to write explanatory analysis for the public. Launched in May 2015 in Johannesburg’s Braamfontein, it works across the continent through offices in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal. Editors—often former newsroom journalists—collaborate with scholars to translate research and expertise into accessible articles on health, politics, science, education, the environment and the arts. Every piece carries a conflict-of-interest disclosure and is published under a Creative Commons licence, enabling free republication by media worldwide.
The organisation is registered in South Africa as a voluntary association and public benefit organisation, backed by universities, research bodies and philanthropic funders. Partnerships with academic publishers such as Taylor & Francis support training and outreach to researchers. The model has produced substantial reach: by 2017 the Africa edition was drawing over 1.2 million reads a month, and by its tenth year it reported more than 11,700 Africa‑focused articles by 7,500 academics and 180 million reads, aided by hundreds of republishers.
The Conversation Africa’s audience includes general readers, policymakers and journalists seeking evidence-based context on African affairs. Its editorial charter protects independence, and authors retain final approval over edits. By pairing journalistic editing with academic authority at continental scale, the outlet has become a trusted bridge between African scholarship and public debate.