As a mission-driven research center, ACSAIR supports using revenue-generating advertising only if it aligns with our goals and values. In practice, we will allow paid third-party ads (e.g. banners, “sponsored” articles, partner promotions) on our website and newsletters, provided those partners respect ACSAIR’s mission. This follows common nonprofit practice: for instance, one guide explains that nonprofit advertising uses “paid channels and strategies” to spread “awareness of your mission” and raise funds. ACSAIR likewise may host partner announcements (events, calls for proposals, etc.) even if unpaid, to further collaboration. Crucially, any advertising or sponsorship must align with ACSAIR’s mission and values; as experts note, nonprofits “benefit from choosing sponsors and advertising partners that align with their mission and values”. In short, we welcome mission- and value-aligned advertising support, but under clear ethical guidelines.
Prohibited Advertisement Categories
ACSAIR will refuse any ad or sponsor in conflict with our standards, harmful to health, or inappropriate for our audience. For example, major platforms and health authorities all restrict ads in certain sensitive categories. Global ad policies bar “dangerous products” (like illicit drugs, weapons, and tobacco), and WHO advocates comprehensive bans on tobacco advertising to save lives. Ads for alcoholic beverages are similarly cautioned against; WHO explicitly urges that alcohol marketing “should not target young people” and should comply with cultural norms of decency. Following these principles, ACSAIR will reject ads for tobacco, narcotics, weapons or any product proven harmful to human health.
Likewise, we forbid content unsuitable for minors or ethically offensive. Any ad involving sexual exploitation of minors, hate/discrimination, cruelty, or extreme violence is disallowed. We will also bar any content aimed at children under 18 (as WHO emphasizes protection of young people from harmful marketing). In short, ads must be family-friendly and culturally acceptable; anything violating African community standards of decency (e.g., pornographic or indecent material) will be turned away.
We also exclude ads that undermine ACSAIR’s impartiality or values. For example, purely political or partisan messaging is prohibited – major platforms like LinkedIn and Reddit forbid any political campaign ads. Similarly, gambling-related promotions are generally restricted in global ad policies. In summary, ACSAIR’s policy forbids ads for:
- Tobacco, drugs, weapons, and other harmful products. (WHO calls for total tobacco ad bans; Google prohibits hazardous goods like tobacco.)
- Alcohol and unhealthful food/drinks. (WHO notes alcohol ads should “not target young people” and meet cultural standards.)
- Gambling and lotteries. (Industry guidelines list gambling among restricted ad categories.)
- Political or partisan content. (Ads for candidates, parties or referenda are disallowed.)
- Adult and morally offensive content. (No pornography, hate speech, extreme violence, or any ad “offensive to good taste”.)
- Material unsuitable for minors. (Anything targeting children under 18 is banned.)
In general, any advertisement conflicting with ACSAIR’s mission or African cultural values will be refused. We reserve the right to reject any sponsor or ad category that could bias our research or violate our ethical standards.
Figure: Example of an advertisement mural on a city building (illustrative). This example of a public ad banner highlights why our policy matters: just as a local community wouldn’t accept an ad that offends cultural norms, ACSAIR won’t display any sponsored content that violates our ethics or harms our audience. All prohibited categories listed above are strictly enforced regardless of sponsorship status.
Disclosure and Labeling
To maintain transparency, all paid or sponsored content will be clearly labeled on our site and communications. We follow best practices: for example, industry guides emphasize that advertorials and sponsored posts must be marked with a disclaimer like “Sponsored” or “Advertisement”. ACSAIR will prominently tag any paid or partner-sponsored material so readers can distinguish it from our editorial content. This clear labeling – now widely expected and even legally required in many places – ensures ACSAIR’s audience is aware of any financial support behind content, preserving trust and integrity.