Call for Papers: Africa's Future Conference 2026 at the University of Namibia, Windhoek (1-2 October 2026)

The University of Namibia (UNAM) is Namibia's national public university. Its Faculty of Commerce, Management and Law brings together the disciplines of law, business, public administration, economics, accounting and development studies, and convenes Africa's Future Conference 2026 through its Conference Scientific Committee. The same conference is titled the African Futures Conference 2026 on the Faculty's abstract submission portal.

The conference runs under the theme "The Future of Business, Governance and Law in Africa: Digital Transformation, Sustainability and Inclusive Development".

The organisers note that the Africa of yesteryears is gone. Following independence from the 1960s onwards there has been a consciousness for a united Africa earmarked by sustained economic development, yet patent by years of colonial rule most of Africa remains poor, factored mainly by uneven economic leverage and by fiscal and structural adjustment programmes suited to the developmental agenda of developed countries. Although many African States began to experience investment booms from the 1990s onwards, those gains were not guaranteed, and new policy approaches became imminent, drawing on the experience of both post-colonial and adjustment periods.

To leverage economic competitiveness while encouraging foreign investment, African constitutions incorporated State policy directives aimed at economic development, and governance systems were introduced to strengthen peace, the rule of law and inclusive development. The inclusion of socio-economic rights in some African constitutions also raised State obligations for the realisation of those rights. Despite these efforts, the organisers observe that Africa's developmental future remains charged: the effects of globalisation, embedded amongst others in populism, emerging technologies and AI, pose both challenges and opportunities that can reshape the Africa we want and by extension the Namibia we aspire to, in line with international, regional and domestic goals such as the Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063. With over 1.4 billion people and the world's youngest population, Africa's trajectory will significantly impact global development patterns.

Africa's Future Conference 2026 aims to convene leading scholars, practitioners, policymakers and thought leaders to examine how digital transformation, sustainability imperatives, good governance and inclusive economic development principles can reshape the African landscape.

Without necessarily excluding proposals on other related tracks, the Scientific Committee welcomes proposals for papers, panels and posters on one or more of the following thematic themes:

• Theme 1: Sustainable Business, Governance and Developmental Models and Practices
• Theme 2: Digital Governance, Transformation and Sustainable Development Goals
• Theme 3: Public-Private Partnerships, Governance and Accountability in the Digital Age
• Theme 4: The Rule and Role of Law in Inclusive Development and Sustainability
• Theme 5: Regional Integration, Multilateralism, Continental Trade and Economic Development
• Theme 6: Diplomacy, Conflict Resolution, Peace, and Security in the Digital Era

Papers with international, regional, country-specific, industry case study based and comparative aspects relating to the overall theme of the conference are welcome.

The call is addressed to scholars, researchers, practitioners, policymakers and thought leaders. Submissions may fall within the broad fields of business, governance, law, public administration, economics, accounting, diplomacy, development studies and related disciplines.

There is no jurisdictional restriction. The submission form asks for the country of the corresponding author for review and administrative context only, and the registration schedule carries a distinct international participant tier alongside the local and student tiers, so applicants from India and elsewhere outside Namibia can submit and attend. Submitters are asked to state whether they are submitting as a student and whether the paper is co-authored.

Proposals may be for individual papers, panel proposals or poster presentations. Abstracts must be no more than 500 words (the online form applies a 3,500 character limit) and must carry three to six keywords.

The online form asks for the full name of the corresponding author, a brief biographical summary, an email address, the paper title, institutional affiliation (university, organisation or independent), the abstract text, keywords, whether you are submitting as a student, the country of the corresponding author, the thematic track, and whether the paper is co-authored.

Submission through the form does not itself constitute acceptance or conference registration.

Where applicable, the full paper submission deadline is 22 September 2026. Final papers should be between 6,000 and 8,000 words including references, and aligned to the Chicago or APA referencing style guide.

Accepted conference papers will be considered for publication in an edited volume.

Registration is charged as follows:

• International participants: N$1,000 (approx. US$62)
• Local participants: N$700 (approx. US$44)
• Students: N$200 (approx. US$14)

Payment is made to the University's account with First National Bank (FNB). Account Name: The University of Namibia. Account Number: 62260241395. Account type: Corporate Cheque Account. Branch code: 281872. Swift/BIC: FIRNNANX. Use the reference FC00/2853 followed by your surname.

Submit your abstract through the Faculty's online abstract submission form at https://forms.office.com/r/e08bnkJ0x5, or alternatively by email to fcmlconference@unam.na, on or before 31 August 2026.

The conference is held in person at the Arebbusch Travel Lodge in Windhoek, Namibia on 1-2 October 2026. The official call does not offer an online or hybrid attendance option.

Abstract submissions opened on 22 June 2026. All abstract submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis by the Conference Scientific Committee until the date of the deadline, so an early submission is worth making. The Faculty's submission portal states that notifications are issued up to 22 September 2026.