National Archives of Guinea Direction Nationale des Archives (DNA)

History and Founding

The National Archives of Guinea (Direction Nationale des Archives, DNA) were established in the 1960s, shortly after Guinea gained independence from France on 2 October 1958, during the First Republic under President Sékou Touré. The archives were moved several times in the decades following independence and experienced periods of both development and neglect as the country's political and economic fortunes shifted. In April 1991, the archives began moving into a new, purpose-built facility next to the Ministry of Youth, Arts, Culture, and Sports in Conakry. By 1992, the new 1,600-square-meter building with five climate-controlled storage rooms containing 5,000 meters of metal shelving was operational, representing a significant modernization. As of the mid-1990s, the collection included over 3,000 volumes.

Collections and Holdings

The archives hold official state records and administrative documents from the colonial and post-independence periods. Holdings include records from the French colonial administration covering Guinea, pre-independence administrative records, and post-independence government documents. The collection is of particular importance for researchers of West African political, social, and economic history. Access to the archives has varied over time, with improvement coinciding with the modernization of facilities in the early 1990s and again with the creation of a dedicated Ministry of Culture in 2008.

Access and Usage

Researchers wishing to use the archives should contact the Direction Nationale des Archives in Conakry. The archives are located in the Commune de Kaloum, Conakry. The official website archivesnationales.gov.gn provides further contact and access information.