The Southern Africa Mathematical Sciences Association (SAMSA) was founded in 1981 by a group of mathematicians in the Southern African countries who were concerned with the advancement of mathematical sciences in the region. The nucleus member countries included those from the conglomeration then called the Southern African Development Coordination Council (SADCC) with the provision that countries outside this region may apply to join. Today, the association boasts of membership from countries beyond Southern Africa, including Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda in Eastern Africa, Italy, Norway and UK in Europe, and USA. The first ever SAMSA conference was held in Botswana in 1981. Since then annual conferences have taken place without fail, rotating in the member countries. The primary goal of SAMSA is to further the mathematical sciences in the Southern African Region and beyond. SAMSA has also been involved in capacity building programs for the region through various projects and programmes.
