During the anti-apartheid movement, the Africa Fund became the "principal contact point for progressive trade unionists and politicians."

It produced research, analysis and education materials designed to widen the debate in the United States around African issues and the U.S. role in Africa.

In June 2008, both Barack Obama and John McCain signed a pledge promising "unstinting resolve"[4] to end genocide in Darfur.

Today Africa Action is mobilizing public pressure to keep this promise by achieving: The campaign under the banner JUST L.E.A.D not only calls for leadership from the U.S. government but also challenges all people to meet our collective responsibility as ordinary individuals to LEARN.

As part of this campaign Africa Action is working with other organizations to collect one million postcards urging President Obama to make peace and justice in Darfur and all Sudan a Day-One priority.

Now, African efforts to defeat HIV/AIDS are hindered by insufficient resources and by U.S. and international policies that restrict access to essential treatment and comprehensive health care.

African countries spend almost $14 billion annually on debt service, diverting resources from HIV/AIDS programs, education and other important needs.

Africa Action believes that it is in the U.S.’ interest that, within each African region, countries and peoples should be able to advance the common goals of achieving security, democracy and development.

Giving priority to these countries should not be confused with making unconditional alliances with their ruling elites, with seeking to build them up as regional hegemonic powers, or with granting them automatic first-call with regard to economic assistance.

Rather, U.S. policy towards each of these key countries must encompass the realities of each region they are a part of, and encourage constructive dialogue and collective problem solving among neighbors.