[6][7] It is a fact that continuous educational, economic and socio-political disruptions hamper the delivery of library and information services in Africa[8][9] whereas the role and impact of the African Library and Information Science (LIS) sector and its position in a developmental agenda is underestimated.

They represent important platforms to discuss issues and further the cause of the library and information sector, at the continental level.

[13] In Africa, the idea of having such an Association had been nursed and widely discussed by many prominent African library and information professionals for many years but it was not until 2013 that one was finally created.

Upon consensus, the IFLA Africa Section was tasked to set up an Exploratory Committee whose mandate was to conduct a feasibility study, extensively consult key LIS stakeholders on the continent and to report findings back to the IFLA Africa Section.

Results of the work done by the Exploratory Committee included but not limited to; a draft of AfLIA's constitution, proposal of the name of the Association, Vision, Mission, Governance Structure, Membership and membership criteria, proposed committees and working groups as well as funding sources for the sustenance of the Association.

[17] Among other things, the committee's recommendation to form the African Library and Information Associations and Institutions (AfLIA), was accepted.

Subsequently, an Interim Committee was selected at the Mid Term Meeting of the IFLA Africa Section to manage the affairs of the Association for two years (2013-2015).

[18] In 2014, the founding Governing Council initiated processes in preparation towards the first election of officers and representatives for the Association, which took place in 2015.

[3] Membership is open to any organization, in Africa and the diaspora, with interest in the African library and information sector.

The official purpose, according to the organization is “to empower the library and information community to actively promote the African development agenda through dynamic services that transform livelihoods".

[30] The organization's programs and activities are administered by the Secretariat in collaboration with various (internal) sections and committees as well as strategic partners.

[32][33] The Deputy President of Kenya, Mr. William Samoei Ruto, was the special guest of honour at the Cultural Night of the 2019 conference.

[24] The conferences were held with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through the Global Libraries Initiative,[34] to serve as a platform to discuss the opportunities for creating successful, 21st century libraries that contribute to the development priorities of African communities, countries and continent.

The conference is also meant to provided leadership and guidance on how African governments can integrate libraries into their national development plans and also safeguard the allocation of resources towards the achievement of their goals.

These communiques serve as documented indication of the continuous commitment of participating African Ministers towards the development of the library sector in their respective countries.

[52] AfLIA executes three major leadership and continuous professional development programs namely INELI-SSAf, AfLAc and IYALI.

[55] In addition, participants convene for training workshops during AfLIA pre-conferences and are expected to successfully carry out community-based projects before graduating.

[62] IYALI connects young librarians with their peers elsewhere in Africa, as well as in transitional and developing countries, giving them the opportunity to learn from each other, expand their outlook, gain new ideas and create a network to support each other.

The main aim is to empower young and forward-looking African public librarians with the leadership potential to embrace, set and realize ambitious expectations for innovative library services.

[62][27] Early Literacy Development course The course which was developed in partnership with Neil Butcher & Associates is a 5 weeks online training which teaches the staff of African public and community libraries how to drive early literacy skills development through exposing children in their communities to libraries as literacy-rich environments and story hours as windows of opportunities for gaining print and phonemic awareness in English language and their mother tongues.

The course which runs for 5 weeks is free, facilitated by AfLIA and was developed in partnership with OER Africa of Saide.