AMEC has set a number of objectives for itself in terms of the activities it would like to engage in.

AMEC is, essentially, a research organisation. This is its character, and this forms the bulk of what it does: conducting and disseminating research. AMEC's actitivities, thus, include the following.

• Conducting research on the Middle East and Africa's relations with the Middle East. Both qualitative and quantitative research is undertaken. A few key research projects have been identified. These will be ongoing projects, at least until the end of 2011. Apart from these, however, other research projects might be undertaken on a short-term or ad-hoc basis.
• Conferences, seminars, roundtable discussions. These will serve the purpose of assisting AMEC in the dissemination of its research, as well as to make accessible - to the public and various roleplayers - people who are specialists in the areas of work that AMEC focuses on.
• Training. AMEC provides training on the Middle East for a number of different sectors within South African society, as well as providing training on Africa for roleplayers in the Middle East.
• Focussed briefings. These are tailored to the needs of specific audiences. They include, for example, briefings to embassy staff on South African political economy, and other aspects of South African society.