The West African Research Association (WARA) was founded in 1989 for the purpose of promoting scholarly exchange and collaboration between American and West African researchers and institutions. The principal objectives of WARA are: to provide American and West African scholars access to research resources and expand research opportunities; to create a point of contact for American and West African researchers, allowing the intersection of their respective research traditions; to facilitate collaborative research efforts, projects, and conferences; to reinforce institutions on both sides of the Atlantic; to supplement sources of documentation about the region; to award fellowships to both American and West African scholars; and to disseminate information on West Africa-related research. Since 2001, the American headquarters of WARA has been based in the African Studies Center of Boston University.

WARA’s overseas research center, the West African Research Center (WARC), was opened in 1992 in Dakar, Senegal. The Center is housed in a spacious building, provided by the Senegalese government, in the Fann-Résidence area of Dakar near l’Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar. With its growing library collection, schedule of scholarly events and lectures, and internet training center, WARC has become a regional hub of research activity for both Senegalese and visiting scholars. WARA/WARC runs several annual grant competitions for U.S. and African scholars, internship and summer programs, and international conferences. The Center also provides both logistical and scholarly assistance to researchers and students working in the West African region.