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Dunning Africa Centre
The Dunning Africa Centre (DAC) is a premier hub for international business research across Africa. As part of Henley Business School’s global network, we’re driving a continent-wide conversation that connects researchers, institutions, practitioners, and policymakers to unlock the potential of Africa’s unique commercial landscape and drive economic growth and prosperity.
Who we are
Established in 2021, the Dunning Africa Centre seeks to act as a ‘virtual hub’ to promote collaboration between research institutions, universities, and businesses to study the impact of globalisation and international business.
Under the auspices of Professor Rajneesh Narula, OBE, the Centre seeks to connect researchers outside the continent interested in engaging with Africa-based actors. The Centre believes that it is time for Africa to reclaim its identity and make authentic, assertive inroads into the global business market. Africans do business like no one else. We have a unique outlook and hard-won experience in one of the most challenging and complex business environments on the planet.
The DAC is a sister centre to the John H Dunning Centre for International Business in the UK, renamed in honour of the late Professor John H Dunning, and is also affiliated with the Dunning Latin American Centre.
Internationally-renowned members of the centre include Professor Mark Casson, Professor Rajneesh Narula, Professor Alain Verbeke and Prof Chris Brewster.
To view all members of the Dunning Centre network and the International Business and Strategy Department at Henley Business School click here.
Our focus areas
We strive to ask the right questions. Research at the DAC is grounded in the economic realities of the continent, focusing directly on the structural priorities that drive sustainable African business growth.
Improving the efficiency of Africa’s informal economy
Our researchers actively explore solutions to the complex challenges within informal markets. Key initiatives include:
- Financial services inclusion:
A South African study examining economic inclusion and structural transformation across the formal-informal divide. - Cross-border trade dynamics: Research at the Busia border post (Uganda–Kenya), analysing why informal cross-border trade persists despite formalisation efforts like the Simplified Trade Regime.
- Agricultural supply chains: An upcoming study series investigating informality within Nigeria’s agricultural networks, expanding on foundational work .
Deepening domestic integration into global value chains
We examine practical pathways for global supply chains to partner more effectively with local entrepreneurs and domestic enterprises, especially within low-tech and resource-intensive sectors.
Informing industrial policy for continental competitiveness
Our advisory work translates research into policy impact at international forums, including the B20/G20 business community. We contribute evidence-based recommendations on value chain resilience, structural development, public-private partnerships, and frictionless cross-border trade.
