The foundation of AFE Province traces its roots to the beginning of Project Africa begun in 1982. It was an answer to the Rector Major Don Vigano’s call to bring the Salesian charism to many young people of Africa. Although there were Salesian presences in Africa, they were few.

At the beginning of Project Africa various Provinces supported the new missions for the first few years: in East Africa Bombay, India supported Sudan; Lombardy, Italy maintained Ethiopia; Poland supported  Zambia; and Piedmont, Italy sustained Kenya.

From 1983 to 1989 the works in each country continued to expand with new personnel arriving in the communities from all over the world.

 On 15th August 1989 the Mission Office officially announced the news of the birth of a new Pre-Province under the title of Our Lady of Hope.  It consisted of four countries: Kenya, Ethiopia, Zambia, and the Sudan. The Provincial house would be in Nairobi. At that time, there were 45 missionaries from 12 countries working in 10 communities, but no local vocations yet. The Mother General at the time,  Mother Marinella Costagno wrote, “But to begin, as you are beginning today, dear Sisters, requires a really solid interior life.  Only what has  strong foundations can last in time…it is up to you to build such foundations for the new Pre-Province….”

Between 1990 and 1992 four more houses were opened.  The first vocations began their initial journey into religious life in their countries of origin, but eventually came to Kenya for the  continued formation program. In 1992 Our Lady of Hope Pre-Province now became officially a Province with the added country of Tanzania. AFE was now made up of five countries: Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Zambia and Tanzania.

During this time, Rwanda became part of AFE Province in 1999, previously belonging to the DRC. To the great joy of all the Sisters the first four sisters made their first profession in 1994, one from Kenya and three from Zambia.

In 1994, the Inter-Provincial Conference of Africa and Madagascar was initiated known as  CIAM. In 1995, Zambia was detached from AFE Province and joined with the countries of Lesotho and So. Africa to form a new Province. The last big regrouping took place in 2010 when Sudan and Ethiopia became a Pre-Province leaving  Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda as the AFE Province up to the present day.