For 20 years, the Africa Center for Strategic Studies has served as a forum for research, academic programs, and the exchange of ideas with the aim of enhancing citizen security by strengthening the effectiveness and accountability of African institutions. By strengthening the capacity of Africa's security sector institutions and providing evidence-based strategic guidance to U.S. policymakers, the Africa Center is enhancing security for African and American citizens. Academic Programs: The Africa Center's academic programs examine strategic insights and analyses that can inform practitioners and policymakers on Africa's security challenges. The Center has held more than 150 multilateral programs involving some 15,000 participants from every country on the continent, and our alumni include nine heads of state and more than 200 cabinet ministers and ambassadors. Community and Alumni Affairs: The Africa Center community is a global network of 7,000 professionals who have participated in an Africa Center program. The Africa Center works to maintain the relationships forged during programs to facilitate dialogue, information sharing, and networking.Research: The Africa Center's research publications practical, policy-relevant analyses with the intention of generating publicly available, evidence-based insights of contemporary and over-the-horizon security issues. African authors account for at least half of these research products, facilitating an exchange of views on effective strategies and practices for advancing Africa's security. The Center also assists in strategic planning processes, including national security strategy development, maritime security cooperation, security sector reform, and security sector institutional strengthening, among other areas.