Founded to advance brain and mental health science across Africa, the African College of Neuropsychopharmacology (AfCNP) was launched at its inaugural 2015 congress in Nairobi, Kenya. This established a tradition of annual meetings held in cities like Stellenbosch, Kampala, and Cape Town, where the organization matured by formally adopting its constitution and ensuring leadership continuity, even transitioning successfully to a virtual format during the 2020 pandemic.
The college significantly expanded its mission in 2023 by launching its flagship AfCNP School, a premier training program for early-career researchers developed with key international partners. The school’s immediate success was demonstrated by its second session in June 2025, which focused on HIV/AIDS and brain disorders and selected 27 fellows from a record 556 applicants. Through these initiatives, alongside webinars and global collaborations, AfCNP now serves as a vital continental hub, amplifying African contributions to global mental health research.