This brief discussion of United States economic aid to Africa has been compiled as a factual summary rather than an analysis or critical evaluation of present programs. A general description of economic aid, and of the activities of the Agency for International Development, is followed by a more detailed note on a country program in operation, that in the Sudan.

Although not the largest single donor in Africa, the U.S. Government in fiscal 1962 and again in fiscal 1963 provided about $500 million in economic assistance to 34 African countries. Surplus food and fiber under the Food for Peace Program accounted for nearly half of this aid. In contrast, other Free World government sources provided about $1, 200 million, and the Sino-Soviet Bloc extended $200 to $250 million in credits. Thus, the U.S. contributed roughly one-fourth of Africa's $2 billion in annual external economic assistance from government sources. In addition important contributions were made by U.S. private foundations, religious organizations, and other nongovernment groups. U.S. direct investments in “AID Africa” rose to about $800 million in 1962 from about $100 million in 1950.

U.S. assistance to the Republic of the Sudan began in April 1958 when an economic aid office was established in Khartoum, following a bilateral agreement for economic, technical and related assistance. In the six-year period ending with fiscal year 1963 (June 30, 1963), the United States has committed $75.6 million in assistance. The two governments are cooperating in a program to assist in achieving the objectives of Sudan's ten-year Development Plan. Projects are concentrated in portions of four sectors of the economy with an additional underlying emphasis on technical and professional training: 1) educational assistance is channeled toward the goal of expanding and strengthening academic, teacher training and technical education through the secondary level; 2) agricultural extension and research programs are focused on diversification to reduce the dependence of the economy on cotton; 3) infrastructure assistance is concentrated on highway demonstration and training although AID does finance some feasibility studies and provides development loans for selected transportation and public utility projects; 4) industrial development in the private sector is promoted through assistance in establishing an Industrial Bank, selected feasibility studies to encourage formation of small and medium industries and loans to private enterprise.

Previous listings of African studies offered at American universities have appeared in the Bulletin, most recently in March 1963. This year the information is given in a slightly different form, as it is now possible to describe the general pattern of most African Studies programs in the U.S. If more information is desired, inquiries should be addressed to the directors of the programs. The Editor thanks those who kindly supplied the information, welcomes additional information and will be happy to include it in a subsequent issue of the Bulletin.

Most universities and colleges which have an organized African Studies Program have some or all of certain characteristics, which are for convenience listed here, with individual variations described for each institution. The organization generally consists of a “Program,” “Center,” or “Committee” which is largely an administrative device to bring together members of different disciplines, and to systematize and expand existing courses and seminars. Participating faculty members come mainly from the departments of Political Science, Anthropology, History, Economics, Geography and Sociology. They usually offer such general courses as “Government and Politics of Tropical Africa,” “Problems in Economic Anthropology,” “Peoples of East Africa,” “History of West Africa” and the like. In addition, many institutions have some specialization in discipline and in regional emphasis: such specialization is indicated.