The emergence of the Adventist University of West Africa began with the Seventh-day Adventist Church quest for a tertiary institution in Liberia. Such would serve as one of the pillars of the call of the Church in the area of education. This vision was actualized on August 7, 2003 when the Liberian Government chattered the University. Subsequently, the University was incorporated by an act of the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Republic of Liberia published on September 8, 2003 by the authority of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The University started physical existence at its temporary site on the facility of the Adventist High School, located on 120 Camp Johnson Road, Monrovia in August 2010. On February 21, 2011, AUWA commenced operations with a limited number of two-year associate degree programs, and thereafter enrolled 105 students in 2011, for which classes began on Tuesday, March 1, 2011.

The groundbreaking of the permanent site of the University at Advent Hill, Roberts Field Highway, Schiefflin Town, Margibi County (equidistant between the International Airport and Monrovia city) was held on March 27, 2012.  The University received its full degree Charter from the Liberian Government on March 18, 2013 for Bachelor’s degree programs in Theology, Education, Health Science and Business. The Liberian Board for Nursing and Midwifery granted AUWA license for the Nursing program from 2013. AUWA received candidacy status from the Adventist Accrediting Association on October 9, 2013 and regular status on October 4, 2017. The University is also a functional member of the Association of Liberian Universities (ALU). The University relocated to its permanent site at Advent Hill, Robert’s field Highway, Schiefflin Township on March 23, 2015 with the first Administrative Committee meeting and first classroom activities.