The OAU’s main objectives, as set out in the OAU Charter, were to promote the unity and solidarity of African states; coordinate and intensify their cooperation and efforts to achieve a better life for the peoples of Africa; safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Member States; rid the continent of colonisation and apartheid; promote international cooperation within the United Nations framework; and harmonise members’ political, diplomatic, economic, educational, cultural, health, welfare, scientific, technical and defence policies.

The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) is an independent organisation whose principal objectives are to facilitate research, promote research-based publishing and create multiple forums geared towards the exchange of views and iformatio amog African researchers. All these are aimed at reducing the fragmentation of research in the continent through the creation of thematic research networks that cut across linguistic and regioal boudaries. For more information see .

Central website with links to news as well as the following programmes: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), World Health Organization (WHO), Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), International Labour Organization (ILO), UN Women, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Telecommunications Union (ITU), World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and UN Peacekeeping Operations in Africa.