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Welcome to M3, an outreach initiative from the Center for International Studies to help connect MIT faculty and researchers who are engaged in global activities.
M3AFRICA is designed to bring you news from across the Institute on Africa-focused research, including climate and sustainability, health, AI and computing, democratic stability, inequality, and human development.
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Tuesday, April 2
5-6 PM • MIT BLDG 2-105
77 Mass Ave, Cambridge
RSVP here →
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Driving Global Change: Lessons from Leading Social Impact Initiatives in Africa and United States
Elizabeth Laiza Kalu, founder of Beyond Borders Network and senior innovation manager in the financial security sector, will share lessons from her journey leading social impact initiatives across Africa and the US, offering actionable insights on leveraging education, community, and creativity to drive meaningful change. This talk is the first of a series of Africa-focused talks organized by the MIT African Graduate Association (AGA). Expect an engaging conversation that celebrates African excellence, encourages bold thinking, and provides a roadmap for leading change in Africa or beyond. Food will be served!
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Monday, April 7
4:30-6 PM • MIT BLDG 31-141
32 Vassar St, Cambridge
RSVP here →
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Starr Forum: Sudan Under Fire
As we enter year three of civil war, experts discuss the global crisis that has been too often ignored. Among the topics to be explored will be US policy implications under the Trump administration. Speakers include Cameron Hudson (Center for Strategic and International Studies); Kholood Khair (Yale University); and Ahmed Kodouda (Policy Advocate). Moderating the talk will be Mai Hassan (MIT).
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Saturday, April 26
More details coming soon!
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MISTI Africa x MINCE Pop-Up:
Swahili Food
Keep your eyes peeled for details on this culinary collaboration with the student group MINCE, featuring Swahili food from Kenya and Tanzania.
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Sunday, May 4
3 PM • Thomas Tull Concert Hall
201 Amherst Street, Cambridge
More info →
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Rambax Spring Concert
Rambax MIT is an ensemble dedicated to learning the art of sabar, a vibrant drum and dance tradition of the Wolof people of Senegal, West Africa. Come join us at MIT's Thomas Tull Concert Hall and experience the magic of Senegalese drumming and dance!
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Africa Learning Circle
The African Students Association (ASA) hosted two Africa Learning Circle sessions this month (including one entirely in French) with Dr. Moise Convolno from LVMH Japan, who shared his insights on AI use by both luxury brands and government agencies. Dr. Convolbo is recognized as a leader in the digital transformation of luxury retail and for implementing government projects in Burkina Faso.
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WOZA Cultural Night
The African Students Association (ASA) hosted a Cultural Night earlier this month with the theme of “WOZA” — a Zulu word that, in slang, serves as an invitation to have fun and enjoy life together. From a powerful keynote speech and student performances to their vibrant fashion show and a wide array of African cuisine, WOZA was a night filled with fun, connection, and unforgettable moments.
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Africa Innovate Conference
The 14th annual Africa Innovate Conference, themed “By Africa, For Africa: Path to Economic Sovereignty,” showcased African-born solutions that foster economic independence, sustainability, and global competitiveness. The conference is organized annually by the Africa Business Club, a student-led initiative at Sloan.
More info →
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AIC Hackathon: Africa Business Challenge
As part of the Africa Innovate Conference, a hackathon was hosted to explore what sovereignty means for Africa, tackle market challenges, and envision solutions that empower communities, foster sustainable growth, and build self-sustaining ecosystems. More than 70 people attended the inaugural MIT Africa Business Challenge, including 55 participants, 5 volunteers, 12 mentors and 7 judges. The Challenge had three focus areas: Healthcare, Financial Services and Food Security.
More info →
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Global Teaching Labs and
Global Classroom
IAP 2025 was bustling with Global Teaching Labs (GTL) and Global Classroom activity! MISTI Africa organized competition math focused GTLs in Ghana, Ivory Coast, and Rwanda. We also launched our first GTL program in Cape Verde, which featured an app development challenge for 4 local companies. We also organized our first ever GTL focused on technical topics in quantum mechanics with longstanding GTL partners in South Africa and Botswana.
MISTI Africa supported 2 Global Classrooms, one with STS Professor Chakanetsa Mavhunga, focused on indigenous-rooted innovation in Kenya, and another in Senegal with Music Professor Patricia Tang and Lamine Toure focused on drumming.
Interested in teaching an MIT course in an African country during summer or IAP?
Contact us →
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MIT-AOA Fellowship
MISTI Africa is piloting a new program in partnership with the recently launched Africa Olympiad Academy in Kigali, Rwanda, the first and only high school of its kind, to offer 9–12 month opportunities for MIT graduates interested in teaching Olympiad level mathematics, physics, and/or informatics to a group of exceptional students from across the continent. Let us know if you have any students you’d like to nominate for this opportunity.
Contact us →
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The Global Seed Fund winners for the 2024-2025 cycle will be announced mid-April. |
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The Fovnder’s Pillars
The Fovnder’s Pillars is an augmented reality memorial and smart fabric visualization honoring the six enslaved individuals once owned by MIT founder William Barton Rogers. Drawing from six African regions, each represented by a distinct textile and its associated myth/story, the project weaves de-colonial tropes and tales of freedom-making practices into AI generated magical imaginings that fuse classical colonial architecture with African futuristic storytelling. The Project is co-created by Lesbia Mabitsela, Dr. Meghna Singh, and Simon Wood in coordination with the MIT Open Documentary Lab and Artfinity.
Project details →
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Host a Washington Mandela Fellow
this Summer
The Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders is the flagship program of the State Department’s Young African Leaders Initiative. The Fellows, between the ages of 25 and 35, are accomplished leaders and have established records of promoting innovation and positive impact in their communities and countries. While visiting the USA, they travel around the country for short-term internships.
To indicate interest, fill out this form.
More info →
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Interested in developing a collaboration with colleagues in African countries?
Email Ari Jacobovits, managing director of the MIT-Africa program at the Center for International Studies.
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