AIAS is a regional organisation that seeks to influence land and agrarian reform policies through multidisciplinary social science research, policy dialogues, training, networking and information dissemination. The main focus of the AIAS is to mediate in the policy making processes so as to enhance rural livelihoods through an improved policy framework. This is achieved through generation and provision of research based information, platforms for dialogue, creating and nurturing a policy community in Africa . The ambition of the AIAS is to provide leadership in land and agrarian policy processes, to become a Centre of Excellence and remain an independent and credible institute with some level of financial independence.