CAPA was formed in 1979 by African Primates. The inaugural meeting of the Council was held at  the United Lay Training Centre in Chilema Malawi 18th to 25th September 1979 and was Chaired by Archbishop Festo Olang of Kenya. By then there were nine Anglican Provinces of Africa and representatives from all these Provinces attended this meeting.

The Main aims and objectives of CAPA were
▪    To know one another better as fellow members of the Anglican Communion
▪    Share experiences and consult about their work and problems and further the proclamation of the gospel
▪    Confer about their responsibilities particularly on the African continent
▪    Discern opportunities for collaboration and joint activities to render assistance wherever necessary
▪    Maintain and develop their relationships with other churches.


Currently the Council operates in 12 Anglican Provinces namely; Burundi, Central Africa – (Botswana, Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe), Congo, Indian Ocean (Madagascar, Seychelles and Mauritius), Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Southern Africa (Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland) Tanzania, Uganda, West Africa (Ghana, Cameroon, Togo, Sierra Leone and Liberia), plus the Diocese of Egypt, in 25 African countries where the Church has its presence.

CAPA Secretariat is based in Nairobi, Kenya and is headed by the General Secretary.