Keynotes, plenaries, academic presentations, policy dialogues, workshops, the Emerging Scholars Colloquium and the conference dinner.
Seven interconnected areas bring together academic research, professional insight and practical conversations about Africa’s productive future.
Productive enterprises, leadership and workforce development.
Productive economies, efficient resource use and financial accountability.
Digital skills, artificial intelligence and efficient development.
Health workforce development, efficient systems and inclusive wellbeing.
Technical skills, infrastructure efficiency and sustainable development.
Governance, accountability and institutions for inclusive development.
Skilled, efficient and inclusive African cities.
Productive Enterprises, Leadership and Workforce Development
Productive Economies, Efficient Resource Use and Financial Accountability
Digital Skills, Artificial Intelligence and Efficient Development
Health Workforce Development, Efficient Systems and Inclusive Wellbeing
Technical Skills, Infrastructure Efficiency and Sustainable Development
Governance, Accountability and Institutions for Inclusive Development
Skilled, Efficient and Inclusive African Cities
Focused sessions help delegates develop research, policy and professional practice.
A practical forum for business leaders, public sector professionals, policymakers and development practitioners to share solutions around skills, productivity, efficiency, accountability and enterprise.
A supportive space for PhD students and early-career researchers to present ongoing work, receive feedback, build networks and develop publishing and research strategies.
Participants are invited to submit a 500-word practice or policy brief structured around context, intervention, outcomes and implications.
Submissions should demonstrate concrete experiences, case studies or applied solutions from industry, public-sector practice or development work. Preference will be given to contributions with potential for replication or scale across African contexts.
Selected contributors may be invited to participate in panel discussions, roundtables or solution-labs.
PhD students and early-career researchers within five years of completing their PhD are encouraged to participate.
Submit a 2–4-page extended abstract covering the research question and objectives, methodological approach, preliminary findings or core argument, and contribution to theory, policy or practice.
Keynote and plenary sessions will be delivered by distinguished academics, policymakers, business leaders and development practitioners. Confirmed speakers will be announced in due course.
Voices framing the central questions of iCAD 2027.
Cross-disciplinary dialogue connecting research, policy and practice.
Informal moments designed to bring delegates together beyond the formal programme.
Meet researchers, professionals, policymakers and partners in a relaxed setting.
The Gala Dinner will take place on Thursday evening, 17 June 2027. Afro-Music will be the hallmark of the evening, and the cost is included in the registration fee.
Recognition sits within the wider conference programme.
Recognising impactful innovation with relevance to African development.
Celebrating practical contributions from industry and professional communities.
Highlighting promising early-career research and scholarship.
Recognising outstanding conference research and contribution.
