The African Journal of Emergency Medicine (AfJEM) is the official journal of the African Federation for Emergency Medicine. It is an Africa-centric, peer-reviewed journal aimed in particular at supporting emergency care across, you guessed it, Africa. AfJEM publishes original research, reviews, brief reports of scientific investigations, case reports as well as commentary and correspondence related to topics of scientific, ethical, social and economic importance to emergency care in Africa. Articles will be of direct importance to African emergency care, but may have originated from elsewhere in the world. AfJEM publishes manuscripts of international quality. This is ensured through a process of rigorous peer-review (see below) where manuscripts are evaluated for accuracy, novelty and importance. It is however recognised that African researchers in emergency care are disadvantaged in the available range of journals into which they can publish their work. The editorial team is aware that this is due to many reasons, including that developing world topics are often considered too basic for western Emergency Medicine journals, or that topics are concerned with conditions which are largely irrelevant to those audiences. Furthermore, the quality of submitted manuscripts is often lower than acceptable international journal standards due to inadequate research training. AfJEM is dedicated to support all authors who wish to make an attempt at publication on an African Emergency care topic. In order to maintain and produce a high quality, international standard Emergency Medicine journal, AfJEM has devised Author Assist. For more detail go to http://www.afjem.com/author-assist.html. AfJEM is uniquely tailored to the needs and requirements of emergency care workers dedicated to improving emergency medicine in Africa. AfJEM specifically aims to address resource limitations as it pertains to the African continent. It will be ideal reading material for physicians, nurses and pre-hospital care workers wishing to improve their knowledge on general emergency medicine, trauma care, paediatrics, injury and disease prevention, service improvement, policy and ethics, disaster preparedness and response, and all other aspects of emergency care. In keeping with the African Federation for Emergency Medicine, it is our aim to be recognised as the international voice of quality emergency medical care in Africa.