Internationalization of higher education in Africa: Developments, emerging trends, issues and policy implications

Higher education the world over has now become part of the globalization process and can no longer be strictly viewed from a national context. The realities of internationalization of higher education and its attendant impacts on the sector is an urgent priority for higher education, especially in developing economies such as Africa. This paper analyses the complex process of internationalization, its manifestations and current developments as well as the main challenges it poses to higher education in Africa. It illustrates the peculiar historical and political contexts of African higher education, the diverse national, regional and international actors, dominant rationales, challenges, risks and their implications for policy. The paper argues that, Africa, just like other regions of the world, or even each country of the world, approaches internationalization in a way that reflects its history, culture and context and in a way consistent with its current needs, priorities and circumstances. While there are areas of dissimilarity between Africa and other world regions, relating to rationales, risks, challenges and even opportunities, internationalization is a worldwide phenomenon that may require increased regional and international cooperation accompanied with workable policies, strategies and ethical standards.