One of the first institutions to receive an ASHA grant in Africa was Cuttington University College in Liberia, the oldest private, co-educational, four-year degree granting institution in sub-Saharan Africa. During FY 2003, ASHA awarded three new grants to institutions in the Africa Region.  ASHA's primary objective is to strengthen the capacity of these institutions to demonstrate American advances in educational and medical technology and practices in the areas of research, training and patient care. Some of these institutions have expanded, improved and extended peace, leadership and democratic governance training and dialog in countries that have economic and political problems.

The impact of these grants has increased the number and quality of institutions of higher learning and hospital centers in Africa. The grants have also contributed to improvements in the socio-economic livelihoods of the communities served and increased mutual understanding between the people of the United States and Africa.

Eight of the fifty-eight institutions with active grants administered by ASHA worldwide in 2003 are located in Africa and include a high school, four universities and three hospital centers. Recipient institutions are located in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda, Liberia, Malawi, Tanzania and South Africa. These private educational institutions provide academic and vocational training at the high school, undergraduate and graduate levels. The universities offer programs in the liberal arts, business, medicine, nursing, agriculture, and the sciences.

In FY 2003, around 38,000 people benefited from educational and health training, research and services at these institutions. Many graduates and recipients of services provided from ASHA assisted institutions in Africa are now key decision makers in their respective fields of endeavor. They include Ministers of Government and Members of Parliament, as well as professionals in education, law, medicine and business.