In the Ancient History of Africa: the Aksumite Empire

Within the framework of the Regional Heroes educational program, Africa Without Borders, in partnership with the Merhaba Association, implements a training cycle dedicated to the Aksumite Empire , recognised by historiography as one of the major states of Antiquity in East Africa and as a decisive actor in the political, economic, and cultural dynamics of the region. Benefiting from a strategic position within the Red Sea basin, ancient Aksum gradually established itself as a crossroads of commercial, diplomatic, and cultural exchanges linking the African hinterland to the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean worlds. Archaeological remains from the port of Adulis, together with textual sources and ancient commercial records, attest to its active integration into international maritime trade networks. Its structured economic system — evidenced by the minting of gold, silver, and bronze coinage, the breadth of its trade circuits, and its model of governance capable of integrating diverse beliefs and populations contributed to transforming Aksum from a regional power into a leading interregional force in global history. The program offers an in-depth study of the historical emergence of the Aksumite Empire, its political and economic organization, its role within regional and transcontinental trade networks, and its geopolitical significance. This analysis draws upon archaeological data, epigraphic inscriptions, and available historical sources, adopting a critical, comprehensive, and interdisciplinary approach. Beyond the transmission of knowledge, the training seeks to provide participants with a framework for reflection, enabling them to reassess, from an Africa-centred perspective, concepts such as civilizational construction, leadership, solidarity, social justice