Africa’s vast natural resources need not condemn the continent to slow growth and environmental damage, the Ghana Scholarly Society (GSS) says, as it prepares to convene its 2026 international conference on green transitions and inclusive industrialisation in Cambridge in June.
For decades, Africa’s promise has often seemed at odds with its reality: a continent rich in minerals, fertile lands, forests, and renewable energy potential, yet grappling with uneven industrialisation, environmental strain, and high youth unemployment. It is this paradox, sometimes called the “resource curse”, that GSS is seeking to confront head-on.
The International Conference on African Development (iCAD) 2026, scheduled for 17 to 19 June at Anglia Ruskin University, will bring together African scholars, policymakers, development practitioners, and business leaders to explore how sustainable industrial strategies can create jobs, add value to resources, and build long-term growth across the continent.
Despite decades of external support, Africa’s industrialisation has remained limited and heavily dependent on extractive and carbon-intensive models. GSS argues that climate pressures, economic vulnerability, and a rapidly growing population make a rethink unavoidable.
The conference, themed “Green Transitions and Inclusive Industrialisation in Africa: Theory to Policy and Practice,” will examine how green innovation, industrial policy, and institutional reform can support Africa-led development, while tackling youth unemployment and advancing environmental sustainability.
Hosted in partnership with Anglia Ruskin University, the event is backed by organisations including the British Council Ghana, the Ghana High Commission in the UK, the UK–Ghana Chamber of Commerce, Ghana International Bank, and several private sector partners. The breadth of these collaborations reflects a growing recognition that Africa’s green and industrial transition requires engagement across academia, government, business, and the diaspora.
GSS says iCAD is designed to bridge academic research and practical policy action, creating space for dialogue that spans continents and sectors. Selected papers will be published by the British Library, while strong contributions may be developed further for leading international journals, amplifying African scholarship on the global stage.
The call for papers closes on 31 March 2026, with registration opening in April and early-bird rates available until mid-May. Scholars, professionals, and institutions interested in Africa’s green and industrial future are invited to participate.
Beyond academic engagement, GSS notes that the conference presents partnership and sponsorship opportunities for organisations seeking to contribute to Africa’s sustainability agenda and help shape research and policy dialogue that can make a lasting impact.
iCAD 2026 underscores the Ghana Scholarly Society’s belief that Africa’s natural wealth is a foundation, not a burden. The challenge lies in building the right institutions, policies, and partnerships to turn this potential into inclusive and lasting prosperity.
