Scholars and Policymakers to Gather in Abuja to Debate Africa's Place in a Changing World

Abuja will host a major academic conference in July examining Africa's economic and political direction at a time when global alliances are being redrawn, and competition among world powers is intensifying.

The African Finance and Economics Association has announced that its 2026 Annual Conference will take place at Nile University, hosted by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, from 3 to 5 July. The conference theme, "Africa's Geoeconomic Development Agenda in a Global Realignment Era," signals an intent to move beyond routine academic exchange and engage directly with the forces currently reshaping the continent's place in the world.

Scholars, researchers, policymakers and postgraduate students are expected to attend. Organisers say the gathering is designed "to foster interdisciplinary dialogue that advances scholarly understanding of Africa's place in contemporary global politics and development debates."

AFEA is currently accepting submissions in the form of abstracts of up to 300 words, full papers, or proposals for panels, workshops, symposia, tutorials, posters and prize lectures. All entries must follow a two title format to allow blind peer review, be prepared in MS Word and submitted electronically. Where papers have multiple authors, at least one must hold current AFEA membership.

Submissions will be assessed on their significance to the field, methodological rigour, clarity of writing and relevance to the conference themes. Accepted papers will be included in the official conference proceedings.

Authors wishing to compete for Best Paper Awards across categories covering regular faculty, junior faculty and doctoral students must submit full papers by 2 June 2026. Winners receive fast track consideration for publication in the Journal of African Development.

Topics under consideration span a broad range, including debt sustainability, artificial intelligence policy, climate change, fintech, conflict and fragility, migration, illicit financial flows and Africa's relationships with China, India, Russia and Western partners.