The Statistics and Probability African Society (SPAS)

The SPAS was established in 1996 with the primary objective of creating a pan-African network that would bring together statisticians and probabilists from various African universities. During its initial years of operation, a period characterized by limited internet accessibility compared to the present day, its activities were primarily centered around the publication and dissemination of bulletins. These bulletins served the overarching goal of providing a comprehensive overview of the state of these academic disciplines, the professionals involved, and the educational programs available in the African context.

Presently, it has evolved into a highly successful network spanning across the entire continent and has reached nearly all individuals within the relevant fields. The following details serve as an adequate description of its current state:

• Its email list boasts a substantial two-thousand-strong network of contacts in Africa. Additionally, there is a related Yahoo group in existence. Notably, the SPAS email lists have been instrumental in ensuring African participation in global events such as the World Statistical Congresses (ISI-IMS) and the World Probability Congress.
• It maintains connections with prominent organizations like the Mathematical Statistical Institutes in the United States, which feature SPAS activities in their bulletin. Furthermore, the International Statistical Institute recognizes SPAS as a regional organization.
• SPAS publishes four reputable journals and operates an e-book publication house that enjoys respect and recognition both within Africa and on the international stage. Notably, these publications are accessible through the Project Euclid platform.
• SPAS stands prepared to assume a more significant role alongside the DIMSA programs as a continental subnetwork.

For further details and updates on these points, as well as comprehensive information about SPAS, please refer to this website.

December 21, 2023