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A Legacy Resource, Recognized Worldwide

For 19 years, The African Gourmet has preserved Africa's stories through food, history, and folklore. Selected for expert consideration by the Library of Congress Web Archives, the world's premier guardian of cultural heritage, ensuring our digital timeline endures for generations.

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Effective teaching and learning in Africa

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Who is the ADEA and what do they do? The Association for Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) is an independent forum hosted by the African Development Bank for effective teaching and learning in Africa


Association for Development of Education in Africa or ADEA was established in 1988 and is a forum for policy dialogue, composed of all the Ministers of Education in Africa and 14 development partners. ADEA’s charge to the governments of Africa is to communicate that the overhaul of education is in their control for effective teaching and learning in Africa.

 
Education is a top priority because it is a basic human right and the foundation on which to build peace and drive sustainable development.

ADEA’s functions are to assist with fostering communication between the countries and sharing research information. ADEA works in different areas of education; higher education, technical and vocational skills development, early childhood development, non-formal education, the teaching profession, information and communication technology, books and learning materials, education statistics, policy support, peace education, and sustainable development.

ADEA is governed by 10 Ministers of Education from Western Africa, Eastern Africa, Central Africa, Southern Africa, and Northern Africa. The ADEA Secretariat housed in Tunis coordinates overall programs and activities.

Held every three years the ADEA Secretariat targets decision-makers who are instrumental for policy-formation, implementation and for guiding ADEA’s program of activities. ADEA also has working group activities and publications at the school and community level.

In order to ensure that the recommendations stemming from ADEA work are translated into action, ADEA set up Inter-Country Quality Nodes (ICQNs) bringing together countries facing a similar challenge. The ICQNs are led by Ministries of Education.

Currently, there are five ICQN, which cover the following themes: Early Childhood Development led by Mauritius, Literacy, and languages steered by Burkina Faso, Mathematics and Science Education led by Kenya, Peace Education managed by Kenya and Technical and Vocational Skills Development headed by Côte d’Ivoire. Education is a top priority because it is a basic human right and the foundation on which to build peace and drive sustainable development.

Association for the Development of Education in Africa three facts

ADEA is based in Tunis, the capital and the largest city of Tunisia at the African Development Bank (AfDB) since August 1, 2008. ADEA’s Triennale regional consultation for West Africa reiterates the need to invest in science, mathematics and information technology
The Association for the Development of Education has called for the establishment of an African Education Fund to open a new sphere of education on the continent. This was part of the outcomes from the 2017 Triennale on education and training in Africa- a flagship event of the Association held in Dakar, Senegal, March 14-17, 2017. The event with the theme “Revitalizing education towards the 2030 Global Agenda and Africa’s Agenda 2063” had about 1,250 participants in attendance.

ADEA goal is to equip African youth with the knowledge and skills to meet challenges of the 21st century and facilitate their integration into the world of work and entrepreneurship. It is also to prepare them to become true citizens not only of Africa, but also the world, and create decent employment to preserve social cohesion and eliminate radicalization in order to ensure the realization of our national, regional and continental visions.

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The African Gourmet explores how African food, history, and science intertwine. Here, a plant is a healer, a story is a map, and the kitchen is a laboratory. I’m Ivy — a writer raised by historians, now sharing Africa’s wisdom from the U.S. through cookbooks, cultural research, and storytelling. If you’re curious about where flavor meets memory, you belong here.

Recipes Explain Politics

When Rice Recipes Become Revolution

What if your grandmother's rice recipe could explain the Liberian Rice Riots of 1979?

"In Liberia, rice isn't just food—it's life, identity, and sovereignty. When the government proposed raising rice prices in 1979, they weren't just adjusting economics; they were threatening every grandmother's ability to feed her family according to traditions passed down for generations."

The riot that followed wasn't about politics—it was about the sacred right to cook your family's rice recipe.

The Deeper Recipe

  • Ingredients: Colonial trade patterns + Urbanization + Economic inequality
  • Preparation: Political disconnect from daily survival needs
  • Serving: 40+ deaths, regime destabilization, and a warning about ignoring cultural fundamentals

This is African Gourmet analysis: understanding how the food in grandmother's pot connects to the protests in the streets. The recipes we inherit carry not just flavor, but the entire history of our political and economic struggles.

Read the Rice Riots Analysis → Try Liberian Rice Bread Recipe
Understanding Africa through the stories our food tells • Since 2006

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African Gourmet FAQ

Archive Inquiries

Why "The African Gourmet" if you're an archive?

The name reflects our origin in 2006 as a culinary anthropology project. Over 18 years, we've evolved into a comprehensive digital archive preserving Africa's cultural narratives. "Gourmet" now signifies our curated approach to cultural preservation—each entry carefully selected and contextualized.

What distinguishes this archive from other cultural resources?

We maintain 18 years of continuous cultural documentation—a living timeline of African expression. Unlike static repositories, our archive connects historical traditions with contemporary developments, showing cultural evolution in real time.

How is content selected for the archive?

Our curation follows archival principles: significance, context, and enduring value. We preserve both foundational cultural elements and timely analyses, ensuring future generations understand Africa's complex cultural landscape.

What geographic scope does the archive cover?

The archive spans all 54 African nations, with particular attention to preserving underrepresented cultural narratives. Our mission is comprehensive cultural preservation across the entire continent.

Can researchers access the full archive?

Yes. As a digital archive, we're committed to accessibility. Our 18-year collection is fully searchable and organized for both public education and academic research.

How does this archive ensure cultural preservation?

Through consistent documentation since 2006, we've created an irreplaceable cultural record. Each entry is contextualized within broader African cultural frameworks, preserving not just content but meaning.