The Institute for African Studies (IAS) is a research body incorporated in and funded by the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS). The IAS is the leading centre for African Studies in Russia.

The Institute was founded in October 1959. Over the past 50 years, the Institute has been conducting research on historical, socio-economic, political, ethno-cultural and international problems of African nations. During this time, a solid scientific base for the development of Soviet-African and later Russian-African relations was created. The scholars of the Institute have been playing a weighty part in the development of African and Arab studies in Russia. Their names are well known in the world's African Studies centres.

Ivan POTEKHIN was the first Director of the Institute. Corresponding Members of the Russian Academy of Sciences Vasiliy SOLODOVNIKOV and Anatoliy GROMYKO were his successors. Since 1992 the Institute has been directed by Corresponding Member of RAS Professor Alexei VASILIEV.

The Institute's research is carried out in accordance with the priority areas of fundamental studies set by the RAS Presidium and listed in the Institute's Statute.  

The highest state bodies and agencies of Russia actively turn to the Institute for scientific information. Many universities from Russia, CIS and other countries express steady interest in the Institute's scientific research.

The IAS is also the key institution for the activities of the RAS Scientific Council for the Problems of Africa under the RAS Social Sciences Division.