There is a wealth of scholarship relating to Sub-Saharan Africa being conducted across all four of Warwick's Faculties. However, when the IAS was first founded, there was no mechanism for allowing scholars to meet and converse together, or to attract postgraduates or funding. The Sub-Saharan African Research Network (SSARN) was formed soon after the IAS was established to create a vehicle for organising collaborations between and across departments. It now has around 160 members, including academics, students and administrators, who come together to share their Africa-related research, interests and ideas.

A highly successful programme that has grown out of the SSARN is the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA). This significant initiative aims to build a vibrant, multidisciplinary African academy which is able to lead world-class research that makes a positive impact on the wellbeing of populations and public health. It will achieve this by developing and delivering an innovative model for doctoral training in sub-Saharan Africa and by strengthening the capacity of participating institutions to conduct and lead internationally-competitive research.

The African Research Students Network (ARSN) was set up to co-exist alongside the Sub-Saharan African Research Network in order to proactively bring together and strengthen the African Student Research community throughout their research/studies here at Warwick.

In January 2010 the IAS organised a Showcase event entitled Africa @ Warwick to showcase research themes and teaching programmes connecting Warwick to Africa.

The Internationalism section of the 2015 University of Warwick Strategy highlights the importance of Sub-Saharan Africa in Warwick's mission and the IAS plays an important role in furthering the Strategy's objectives.