This Institute came into being in order to provide information on Africa and its problems for official institutions, private organisations, and the general public throughout Scandinavia. It functions as a part of the University of Uppsala, but has its own board of governors and its own budget. The need for such a centre was first discussed in the Swedish Parliament in 1961; the matter was then referred to a Royal Commission which at the time was dealing with Swedish aid to under-developed countries, in particular with the recruitment and training of technical assistance experts.