The Afrobarometer project undertakes research in 18 African countries to assess perceptions of citizens on governance issues.

Beginning in 1993 in Zambia and in 1995 in South Africa, the Afrobarometer project expanded in 1999.  The initial surveys covered   10 countries and four more surveys were undertaken in 2001. The project has already produced numerous reports for publication in academic journals and release in policy forums. Present and previous Afrobarometer surveys have been supported by grants to MSU from the National Science Foundation, the United States Agency for International Development and the World Bank.

The coverage of the AFROBAROMETER project moved rapidly from surveys in just two countries in 1998 to 10 countries in 2000. In 2001 the project expanded to French-speaking and Portuguese-speaking Africa, with surveys in Mali and Mozambique respectively. The survey has also been undertaken in Nigeria.

The Afrobarometer is modeled in part on parallel research programs in Eastern Europe (the New Europe Barometer) and Latin America (the Latinobarometer). Researchers from all three world regions, including Afrobarometer participants from MSU, are now coordinating efforts to ensure that systematic comparisons of evolving public opinion are possible, not only within the African continent, but ultimately, across continents as well.

See the project website at www.afrobarometer.org