Journal profile · AREA STUDIES
JOURNAL OF MODERN AFRICAN STUDIES
ISSN 0022-278X · eISSN 1469-7777 · Cambridge University Press
JOURNAL OF MODERN AFRICAN STUDIES: CAS Zone 3 · Sociology (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 1.62; hybrid open access; APC about USD 3,550; 44 articles in 2025; indexed in SSCI and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
JOURNAL OF MODERN AFRICAN STUDIES is published by Cambridge University Press and is in Zone 3 of Sociology in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are African history and culture studies, African history and culture analysis and International Development and Aid, together about 36.2% of its articles. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
The Journal of Modern African Studies offers a survey of developments in modern African politics and society. Its main emphasis is on current issues in African politics, histories, economies, societies and international relations. It is intended not only for students and academic specialists, but also for general readers and practitioners with a concern for modern Africa, living and working both inside and outside the continent. Editorial policy avoids commitment to any political viewpoint or ideology, but aims at a fair examination of controversial issues in order to promote a deeper understanding of what is happening in Africa today. The journal also includes invaluable book reviews.
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): AREA STUDIES
Editorial board by country: none in mainland China; most named United Kingdom 17, United States 11, Germany 2, Italy 1, Canada 1 (37 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- African history and culture studiesSocial Sciences17.9%
- African history and culture analysisSocial Sciences9.7%
- International Development and AidSocial Sciences8.6%
- African studies and sociopolitical issuesSocial Sciences6.2%
- Diverse Scientific and Economic StudiesEconomics, Econometrics and Finance5.8%
- Global Peace and Security DynamicsSocial Sciences5.8%
- Advanced Electron Microscopy Techniques and ApplicationsBiochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology4.6%
- Legal Issues in South AfricaSocial Sciences4.3%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Sociology Zone 3
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Sociology | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Area Studies | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Sociology Zone 2
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Sociology | Zone 2 |
| Minor | Area Studies | Zone 2 |
Top journal: noReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Sociology Zone 4
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Sociology | Zone 4 |
| Minor | Area Studies | Zone 4 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
Database indexing
SSCIScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Editions, and major and minor categories, are shown separately and never merged into one zone; check which edition your institution uses before you submit or report.
Metrics
Impact metrics and publication volume
Impact
- Impact factor
- 1.62LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher) 2025
- 31Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 2.7LetPub ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 0.44LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 1.51LetPub ·
- h-index
- 109OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 1,176OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 0.59OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 0%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 70.83%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 11LetPub ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 5,125 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 21 | 7 | 0 |
| 2025 | 44 | 17 | 14 |
| 2024 | 59 | 19 | 59 |
| 2023 | 57 | 27 | 197 |
| 2022 | 52 | 29 | 207 |
| 2021 | 43 | 19 | 296 |
Sources count differently and were observed at different times, so each source's own value is kept; "publisher" marks figures from the journal's website.
Fees & open access
APC and open-access policy
Hybrid open accessLetPub
A subscription journal in which authors can pay to publish their article open access.
| Source | APC | Fee waiver | License | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAlex | USD 3,550 / GBP 2,460 | — | — |
A hybrid journal charges the APC only when the author chooses open access; publishing under the subscription model is usually free.
The journal's website is authoritative for fees; sources were observed at different times and each keeps its own value, without averaging.
Profile
Publication details and official links
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- ISSN
- 0022-278X
- Electronic ISSN
- 1469-7777
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗OpenAlex
- Submission system ↗Publisher website
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about JOURNAL OF MODERN AFRICAN STUDIES
What CAS zone is JOURNAL OF MODERN AFRICAN STUDIES in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, JOURNAL OF MODERN AFRICAN STUDIES is in Zone 3 of Sociology, and in Zone 3 of the minor category Area Studies. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 2 of Sociology. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of JOURNAL OF MODERN AFRICAN STUDIES?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 1.62; CiteScore 2.7, h-index 109.
Where are the editorial board members of JOURNAL OF MODERN AFRICAN STUDIES based?
Of the 37 board members whose country the journal's board page names, none are in mainland China; the countries named most often are United Kingdom (17), United States (11) and Germany (2). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index JOURNAL OF MODERN AFRICAN STUDIES?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, JOURNAL OF MODERN AFRICAN STUDIES is indexed in SSCI and Scopus.
Is JOURNAL OF MODERN AFRICAN STUDIES open access, and what is the APC?
JOURNAL OF MODERN AFRICAN STUDIES is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 3,550.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, OpenAlex, Publisher website; every figure is tagged with its source and the date it was observed, and conflicting values are kept per source. LetPub source page: view ↗ (archived 2026-08-25). Last updated: .