NIAS Africa Studies aims to study contemporary Africa through the following verticals: internal politics, peace and conflict issues, civil-military relations, non-traditional security issues, radicalism, regional complexities (Horn of Africa, Sahel and North Africa), geopolitics and external relations, especially with the US, Europe and China. It publishes Africa Monitor (a monthly), with an objective to build capacity amongst the Indian scholars working on Africa.
NIAS Africa Studies also aims to create a network of African scholars in India and African scholars residing in India through an Annual Conclave starting from 2024.