An organisation promoting collaboration between African chemists will be launched on 23 February in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. The Federation of African Societies of Chemistry will create a network of African chemists to encourage cooperation and help disseminate research results. It also aims to improve chemistry teaching, and raise public understanding of chemistry and its role in economic development. The federation's activities will include publishing a newsletter and organising workshops and scientific meetings, reports www.scidev.net.