UKZN’s African Journal of Governance and Development Gets DOAJ Accreditation!

The African Journal of Governance and Development (AJGD) published by UKZN has been accredited by the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ).

This achievement, secured in January this year, is a significant milestone that underscores the Journal’s commitment to ethical publishing, global accessibility and policy relevance. It adds to the Journal’s growing international recognition, complementing its existing listings in the International Bibliography of the Social Sciences (IBSS) and accreditation by the South African Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).

The Journal is jointly managed by Editor-in-Chief Professor Betty Mubangizi of UKZN’s College of Law and Management Studies, and Associate Editors Professor Thenjiwe Meyiwa of the University of South Africa and Mr Simão Nhambi of the University of St Thomas in Mozambique.

Launched in 2011, the AJGD received IBSS accreditation in 2016, marking a crucial step in its mission to promote high-quality scholarship in governance and development across the African continent. The Journal has a rich history having been originally founded by the University of St Thomas.

Today, it continues to serve as a platform for cutting-edge research from scholars across Africa and beyond.

A unique feature of the AJGD is its ‘policy brief’ aspect, which ensures that academic research is not only published but also translated into accessible formats for policymakers and government officials. By condensing scholarly work into concise, actionable insights, the Journal facilitates the practical application of research findings, strengthening the bridge between academia and policy formulation.

This approach enhances the Journal’s real-world impact, making research more relevant to governance and development challenges on the continent.

As an open-access journal, the AJGD fully aligns with the DOAJ’s mission to increase the visibility, accessibility, reputation, usage and impact of quality, peer-reviewed, open-access scholarly research worldwide, regardless of discipline, geography, or language. The Journal also embraces the DOAJ’s vision to build an equitable and diverse scholarly ecosystem where trusted research is accessible globally without barriers.

This accreditation represents a significant leap forward in the AJGD’s journey, reinforcing its role as a leading platform for governance and development research on the continent. Scholars, practitioners and policymakers are encouraged to explore, engage with and contribute to the Journal’s growing body of work.

For more information, visit the journal.