The International Conference on African Development (iCAD) plans to turn academic research and industry experience into practical policy recommendations, as it seeks to strengthen the link between research, decision-making and development across Africa.
The initiative will form part of the conference’s fourth annual edition, scheduled for June 16–18, 2027, at SOAS University of London, where academics, policymakers, business leaders and development practitioners will discuss ways to improve productivity, institutional performance and inclusive growth.
Organised in partnership with the Ghana Scholarly Society and SOAS, the conference will focus on “Building Africa’s Productive Future: Upskilling, Efficiency and Accountability for Inclusive Development.”
Turning research into policy action
A central objective of iCAD 2027 is to ensure that research and conference discussions extend beyond academic presentations to inform decisions by governments, public institutions, businesses and development partners.
Selected academic papers, practitioner submissions and conference discussions are expected to be developed into policy briefs outlining evidence, priority actions, implementation considerations and measurable outcomes.
The proposed policy areas include workforce development, education and industry alignment, small and medium-sized enterprise productivity, public-sector efficiency, financial accountability, responsible artificial intelligence and inclusive urban growth.
The approach reflects the conference’s emphasis on connecting research with practical action, particularly in areas where institutions and businesses face pressure to deliver better results with limited resources.
Bringing industry and policymakers into the discussion
The conference will also host an Industry, Policy and Practitioners Workshop on June 17, 2027, providing a platform for business leaders, public-sector professionals, policymakers and development practitioners to share practical solutions and experiences.
The workshop will examine four broad areas: skills and workforce development, institutional efficiency and service delivery, governance and accountability, and finance and enterprise productivity.
Participants are invited to submit 500-word practice or policy briefs outlining a challenge, the intervention used to address it, evidence of progress and lessons that could inform policy or wider implementation.
Submissions will be assessed on their relevance to the workshop themes, practical value, evidence of impact and potential for learning across sectors. Preference will be given to contributions demonstrating solutions that could be adapted or expanded across African contexts.
Selected contributors may also be invited to participate in panel discussions, roundtables or solution-focused sessions during the workshop.
Research across seven development areas
The policy focus will draw on research presented across seven thematic tracks covering business and management; economics, finance and accounting; artificial intelligence and digital technologies; health and medicine; engineering and construction; law and society; and urban futures and social science.
These areas will examine issues ranging from enterprise growth, access to finance and workforce skills to infrastructure delivery, digital regulation, public accountability and the development of more productive cities.
By bringing these subjects together, the conference aims to encourage collaboration across disciplines and connect research findings with the needs of businesses, public institutions and communities.
The programme will also include an Emerging Scholars Colloquium on June 16, offering PhD students and early-career researchers an opportunity to present ongoing work, receive feedback and build academic and professional networks.
Call for papers and registration
The call for papers opened on October 1, 2026. Academic submissions should be two to four pages long and outline the research topic, data collection method, findings or emerging argument, discussion and contribution.
The conference proceedings are expected to be published by the British Library, while suitable papers may be developed further for submission to relevant academic journals.
Early-bird registration for members costs £250 and runs until March 31, 2027, after which the fee rises to £285. PhD and Master’s students will pay £200 under the early-bird rate and £250 thereafter.
Registration closes on June 10, 2027.
Further information on submissions and registration is available at www.icadconferences.com, while enquiries can be sent to [email protected].
