Africa Center for Strategic Studies
A US Department of Defense academic institution that studies African security issues and runs programmes and research for African security professionals.
At a glance
- Entity level
- Unit within an organisation
- Type
- Unit of a public body
- Part of
- US Department of Defense
- Also known as
- ACSS
- Flagship output
- Map of Africa's Militant Islamist Groups (latest: Widening scope of Africa's militant Islamist groups (2026), May 2026)
- Category
- Security & corporate risk
- Also covers
- Geopolitical & political risk
- Tier
- Tier 2: US DoD academic institution; widely cited Africa militant-violence and elections analysis
- Headquarters
- Washington, DC, United States
- Coverage
- African security, militant Islamist groups, elections, governance, maritime and transnational threats
- Public access
- Free
- Latest activity seen
- 12 Aug 2026
- Evidence
- Verified
How it produces intelligence
Analysis of conflict event data (ACLED-based) plus expert commentary, published as annual maps, spotlights and infographics.
Risk themes
Focus regions
Links
What it publishes
| Output | Type | Cadence | Latest edition | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Map of Africa's Militant Islamist Groups | Dataset | Annual | Widening scope of Africa's militant Islamist groups (2026) | May 2026 | Read report |
| Africa Media Review | Daily/weekly briefing | Daily | Africa Media Review for August 12, 2026 | 12 Aug 2026 | Read report |
| Africa's 2026 Elections | Other | Annual | Visit site |
Latest findings
Recent public risk calls by Africa Center for Strategic Studies, summarised in our own words. They are its views, not 311's. Follow each source for the original.
Militant Islamist violence caused 22,307 deaths in the latest year measured and over 155,000 across roughly a decade, up about 60% since 2023.
31 Jul 2025 · Horizon: 2024 to 2025 · Source: Africa's militant Islamist violence hits grim milestone (North Africa Post)The Sahel accounts for about half of these deaths, with fatalities up sevenfold since 2019; Somalia accounts for roughly a third.
31 Jul 2025 · Horizon: 2024 to 2025 · Source: Africa's militant Islamist violence hits grim milestone (North Africa Post)Over 950,000 sq km lies outside state control and more than 3.5 million people are displaced; figures are likely undercounts due to data suppression.
31 Jul 2025 · Horizon: 2025 · Source: Africa's militant Islamist violence hits grim milestone (North Africa Post)
Questions about Africa Center for Strategic Studies
What is Africa Center for Strategic Studies?
A US Department of Defense academic institution that studies African security issues and runs programmes and research for African security professionals.
How does Africa Center for Strategic Studies produce its intelligence?
Analysis of conflict event data (ACLED-based) plus expert commentary, published as annual maps, spotlights and infographics.
Where is Africa Center for Strategic Studies based?
Africa Center for Strategic Studies is based in Washington, DC, United States.
What does Africa Center for Strategic Studies cover?
Its work covers conflict & security, terrorism & crime, elections & politics, governance & fragility, with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East & North Africa.
Profile compiled by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit from public sources. Last checked 21 Oct 2026. Listing is not a ranking or an endorsement. Evidence source. Is this your organisation? Request a correction.