Botswana
Cameroon
Côte d'Ivoire
Djibouti
Ethiopia
Ghana
Kenya
Mozambique
Nigeria
Somalia
South Africa
Tanzania
Togo
Uganda
Zambia
ZimbabweUniversal Eye Health and Vision Care
The AFCO vision is for Optometry to provide universal eye health and vision care on the African Continent and beyond with high quality and equity.
Advocacy & Development
To advocate for and facilitate the development, enhancement and coordination of quality eye health and vision care by optometrists and other interested stakeholders in Africa and across the world.
28 Years of Unifying African Optometry
AFCO was proposed in 1996 at the IACLE conference in Durban, South Africa, and formally inaugurated in July 1998 in Abuja, Nigeria. Founding nations included Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Togo, and South Africa. Today, AFCO proudly represents 16 member nations across the continent, with a growing network of optometric associations dedicated to advancing eye health.
Main Objects of AFCO
In pursuit of its purpose, the African Council of Optometry is guided by these core objectives.
Communication & Collaboration
To promote communication and exchange between all member Councils and to maintain effective collaboration.
Continental & Global Representation
To represent African optometric organizations at the World Council of Optometry and other international bodies.
Protect Visual Welfare
To maintain, promote and protect the visual welfare of the peoples of Africa.
Professional Integrity & Standards
To preserve professional status by promoting Standards of Practice and Ethical Code of Conduct.
Public Engagement
To facilitate deliberations to develop public opinion on vision and eye care matters.
Protect Collective Interests
To promote and protect the collective interests of its membership in good standing.
The Unifying Voice for African Optometry
Founded in 1998, AFCO serves as the primary regulatory and advocacy body for optometrists in Africa. We work to facilitate the continuous enhancement and development of eye and vision care through policy reform, standardized education, and international collaboration.
Meet the Executive Board
28+
Years of Service
16
Member Nations
10k+
Optometrists Reached
The Durban Declaration
March 2007 • South Africa- Make refractive services a priority
- Support human resources and infrastructure for refractive services
- Rationalise tariffs on spectacles and optical equipment
- Support organisations working to eliminate avoidable blindness
A Global Commitment to Sight
Adopted at the inaugural World Congress on Refractive Error, the Durban Declaration remains a guiding force for AFCO's advocacy across the African continent.
Educational Initiatives & Programs
AFCO Subcommittees
Education
Standardizing optometric curricula and CPD
LRS
Legislative advocacy & ethical standards
Public Health
Community eye health initiatives
Conference
AGM and continental symposiums
Finance
Fiscal health and resource allocation
Latest Updates & Clinical Insights
AFCO Announces 2025 Continental Conference Framework
Details regarding the upcoming Annual General Meeting and clinical workshops have been finalized by the executive board.
AFSCOPE Vol. 12: Advancements in Low Vision Care
The latest edition of the African Council of Optometry's peer-reviewed journal is now available in the Member Portal.
AFCO-NOA 2026: Abuja Calling
Join us in Nigeria for the historic joint conference and commissioning of the AFCO Regional Secretariat.