With member institutions all around Africa, AAU provides a forum for cooperation and exchange of information on higher education and research policies.

The Antananarivo recommendations were taken up by a preparatory Committee of the heads of African institutions of higher education, which met in Khartoum in September 1963 and drafted the founding constitution of the association.

[1] The association has provided a platform for research, reflection, consultation, debates, co-operation and collaboration on issues pertaining to higher education.

It has provided a range of services to its members and served African higher education in a variety of ways.

In addition, the association provides leadership in the identification of emerging issues and support for debating them and facilitating appropriate follow-up action by its members, partners and other stakeholders.