A comprehensive questionnaire was sent to 49 African national archival agencies in April 1982 to survey the needs of African Member States for assistance in the development of archives. This study is based on the 27 (55%) questionnaires that were returned. The participating agencies were grouped into three categories: agencies located in Arab-speaking, Anglophone and Francophone countries. As the Arab-speaking category comprised only two participants, only the Anglophone and Francophone groups are discussed and compared in this report. Following an introduction, the survey results are grouped under six major headings: legislation and regulations, personnel, buildings, storage facilities and equipment, holdings, and operations and services. Individual conclusions and recommendations are then drawn for each of the subject areas. A tabulation of individual participants' responses conclude the report. A list of participants and a copy of the survey instrument are appended. (THC)