The Research Center on Investment and Trade with Africa is one of the subordinate facilities within the Institute for African Studies. The center endeavors to probe into trade, business, investment and economic development in Africa. It has the following functions:

1. To carry out fundamental researches, including theoretical research and data management, on trading with and investing in Africa, and to support further researches on Africa.

2. To conduct longitudinal studies that associate heated issues concerning trade and investment in Africa or in certain African countries, with current changes in economy and economic policies at home and abroad, and to release results from these studies to the public.

3. To undertake research tasks commissioned by government departments and enterprises and look into certain trade and investment issues in Africa, so as to provide government departments and enterprises with policy advisory reports while offering companies investment analysis reports.

4. To train personnel from the government and enterprises that is responsible for trade and investment to Africa.