AAAWE members are broadly classified into three groups: Core Student, Core Professional members and non-Core members.

Core Student members are African women economists living in Africa or in the Diaspora who are students. Core Professional members are African women economists living in Africa or in the Diaspora who are not students. Non-core members are those who do not qualify as Core members— i.e., non-African women and all males (regardless of region of residence).

As of June 2024, there are 1140 members representing 67 countries (39 countries in Africa and 28 outside Africa); 898 of the members (i.e., about 80 percent) are African women economists. Furthermore, 695 of the African women economists live in Africa (which is comprised of 410 professionals and 285 students). The remaining 203 members (which is comprised of 92 professionals and 111 students) live outside Africa.