The Ghana Scholarly Society (GSS) has extended its call for papers for the 2026 International Conference on African Development (iCAD 2026) from March 31 to April 30, 2026. The conference is scheduled for June 17–19, 2026, at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK.
This year’s conference, themed “Green Transitions and Inclusive Industrialisation in Africa: Theory to Policy and Practice,” will bring together leading academics, policymakers, industry professionals, and development partners to explore sustainable pathways for Africa’s economic transformation.
Organised in partnership with Anglia Ruskin University, the British Council Ghana, Ghana High Commission (UK), UK–Ghana Chamber of Commerce, Ghana International Bank, Taptap Send, OMAXX, First Klass Shipping, and ExcelPlus Education, the event seeks to reframe Africa’s development discourse around green innovation, sustainable industrialisation, and inclusive growth.
Call for Papers
Submissions officially remain open till April 30, 2026. Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit extended abstracts (2–4 pages) or full apers (up to 12 pages) via Oxford Abstracts.
All accepted papers will appear in the British Library Conference Proceedings, and selected high-quality papers may also be published in leading journals, including Thunderbird International Business Review, Africa Journal of Management, Business Strategy and Development, African Affairs, and Journal of African Business.
Conference Tracks
The three-day event will feature seven thematic tracks:
- Business and Management: Entrepreneurship, ESG, and Climate-Aligned Growth Strategies
- Economics, Finance, and Accounting: Green Transitions and Sustainable Infrastructure
- AI, Data, and Digital Technologies: Building Human Capital for a Green Economy
- Health and Medicine: Public Health and Socio-Economic Inclusion
- Engineering and Construction: Green Engineering and Sustainable Innovations
- Law and Society: Rights, Accountability, and Sustainable Transitions
- Urban Futures: Transformations, Sustainability, and Everyday Challenges
Each track will feature keynote presentations, academic papers, and policy dialogues with leading scholars from UK and African institutions.
Workshops and Awards
iCAD 2026 will host a PhD and Emerging Scholars Colloquium on June 17 and an Industry & Practitioners Workshop to showcase real-world solutions for Africa’s green industrialisation.
The GSS Annual Awards will honour excellence in research, innovation, and practice, including the Outstanding Innovation Award, Industry Innovation Award, Emerging Scholar Award, and Best Paper Award.
Registration and Logistics
Early-bird registration closes May 19, 2026, and late registration ends June 10, 2026. Fees are £175.04 (UK & Europe) and £255.04 (Overseas) for early registration.
The conference will feature a networking reception on June 18 and a gala dinner on June 19, showcasing Afro-Music and cultural performances. Delegates are encouraged to book accommodation early at partner hotels in Cambridge, including Clayton Hotel, Hilton City Centre, University Arms Hotel, and Travelodge Cambridge Central.
iCAD 2026 serves as a platform for African researchers and professionals to drive the continent’s development agenda.
With decades of external support yielding limited outcomes, initiatives like iCAD are vital for cultivating home-grown solutions through research, dialogue, and innovation.
