The African Studies Professionals Association (ASPA) was founded by an alumnus of the Center for African and Asian Studies at the Addis Ababa University.

It is a professional association licensed by the Ethiopian Civil Societies Authority that aims to become a think tank on cultural, social and economic issues of Africa.

In addition to the alumni, its members consist of experienced CAAS professors with a wide range of expertise in teaching and research, most of which are well-published African intellectuals and media figures in Ethiopia.