The African School of Economics: producing cutting-edge research
Academic Programs
ASE’s academic programs deliver excellence in teaching multidisciplinary coursework in economics, public policy, business, engineering, and science. ASE is a pan-African system of universities in Benin and Cote d’Ivoire, with campuses opening in Nigeria and Zanzibar in 2024. Besides delivering undergraduate and graduate programs and fostering a strong sense of social responsibility among its students, faculty, and scholars, a key pillar of the ASE is its steadfast commitment to creating a vibrant research community led by African scholars.
Entrepreneurship
ASE is invested in driving innovative entrepreneurship opportunities and partnerships for strategic public investments. Our research and development partnerships with both the public and private sectors enhance capacity and help drive growth through investments and entrepreneurial capital. Because our vision is embedded in the fact that academic and research institutions are co-owners of the development agenda driven by government and businesses, we are keen to identify models of development in African countries that help overcome challenges such as helping governments identify and motivate domestic and foreign investors, lowering political risk, and reducing risks associated with human capital investments. ASE achieves this through decades of research on political economy and institutions, as well as partnerships with development and government agencies across African countries.
Arts and Culture
ASE Arts & Culture promotes African value, culture and creativity, aiming to establish the relevance of African arts and culture for embodying diverse and synchronous identities shared by African societies. To achieve this vision for the future of the African continent, our training, workshops and exchanges focused on art and culture give credence to, and sustains the fluidity of African cultures, rewriting of African histories, and lessons for the world to embrace and learn from “Africanness”.
The History of ASE
2014
Foundation
Princeton University Professor Leonard Wantchekon founds the first campus of ASE in his home country of Benin, aiming to advance economic research and education in Africa.
2015
Inaugural year
ASE officially opens its doors, welcoming its first cohort of students and beginning its journey towards excellence in academia.
2016–18
Expansion
ASE experiences rapid growth, expanding its academic programs and establishing partnerships with renowned institutions and organizations across Africa and beyond. An opening ceremony takes place at the newly-constructed campus in Abomey-Calavi, Benin.
2019
International recognition
ASE gains international recognition for its cutting-edge research and contributions to African development, solidifying its position as a leading academic institution.
2020–22
Enhanced impact
ASE's impact continues to grow, with its graduates making significant contributions to various sectors and industries across the continent.
2023
Campus expansion
ASE expands its physical presence, establishing campuses in Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria to accommodate its growing student body and enhance accessibility to quality education.
2024
Future outlook
ASE looks towards the future with optimism, continuing its mission to produce exceptional scholars and leaders who will drive economic transformation with a new campus in Fumba Town, Zanzibar as ASE’s East African regional hub.
Professor Leonard Wantchekon
Leonard Wantchekon, Founder and President of ASE, is also a distinguished Professor of Politics, International Affairs, and Economics at Princeton University. His academic journey includes positions at New York University and Yale University. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Northwestern University and an M.A. in Economics from Laval University and the University of British Columbia.
For a full profile of Professor Wantchekon, please visit the IMF website for a Finance & Development article entitled “Ground Breaker.”
ASE at a glance
2000+
eager students driven by knowledge that improves economies globally
12+
professional and well-curated courses providing fundamental knowledge with ease
5
well-equipped campuses providing conducive learning environments