Conference Objectives
- Examine the structural drivers of economic growth and persistent inequality across African nations
- Evaluate the effectiveness of regional integration frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
- Encourage interdisciplinary research connecting macroeconomic policy, poverty reduction, and human development outcomes
- Highlight emerging fintech, digital infrastructure, and technology-driven development models reshaping African economies
- Strengthen South-South and North-South research collaborations to co-produce evidence-based development strategies
- Recognize outstanding contributions to the field of African economic development through the Best Paper Award
Who Should Attend
If you are a development economist, aid agency analyst, business strategist or doctoral researcher, this event is for you.
- Development economists specializing in sub-Saharan and North African economies
- African government officials and economic policymakers seeking research-backed insights
- International aid organization representatives and multilateral development bank analysts
- Postgraduate researchers and doctoral candidates in African studies and development economics
- Private sector investors and business strategists focused on emerging African markets
- NGO leaders and civil society advocates working on poverty alleviation and social development
- Journalists and media professionals covering African economic affairs and global development
Select Ticket Type
The 40th International Conference on African Economics and Development offers clearly structured registration tiers designed to accommodate the diverse needs of academics, early-career researchers, and professional delegates traveling to Ajax. Each ticket category grants access to the full program of keynote sessions, paper presentations, and networking events, with all applicable taxes already included in the listed price. We encourage prospective attendees to review the available options and select the tier that best reflects their participation role and career stage.
Registration Fees
- Early Bird Author Registration – US$499 For authors keen on availing a $100 discount on the regular registration fee, early bird registration is recommended.
- Regular Author Registration – US$599 If the early bird deadline has been missed, authors can opt for the regular registration process.
- Listener Registration – US$499 Individuals interested in attending the conference to expand their knowledge and network can register as listeners.
What Registration Includes
- Admission to the conference sessions
- Conference materials
- Presentation opportunity for eligible authors and speakers
- Certificate of participation or presentation for eligible registered participants
- Networking access
- Conference photo session
- Official registration confirmation
- Invitation letter support for eligible registered participants
- Refreshments or meal items as confirmed in the final venue package
Invitation Letter Support
Upon completing your conference registration, you may formally request an official invitation letter to support your travel arrangements and administrative requirements. This letter is issued on institutional letterhead and confirms your participation role, the conference dates, and the venue location in Ajax, Canada. Requests are typically processed within three to five business days of registration confirmation.
The invitation letter is designed to assist attendees in obtaining any necessary documentation from their employers, funding bodies, or academic institutions. It may also be used to support applications for travel grants or institutional funding that requires proof of conference acceptance. Attendees are advised to retain both the digital and printed versions of the letter for their records.
While the conference secretariat is pleased to provide official invitation letters as a courtesy to registered participants, it must be clearly understood that the issuance of this letter does not in any way guarantee the approval of a visa or entry permit to Canada. Visa applications are assessed solely at the discretion of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and all attendees are responsible for initiating their applications well in advance of the conference date.
Before You Register
- Registration fees are non-refundable and cannot be transferred to another person. If your visa is refused, you get 50% off one new registration for a later edition in your name.
- Your invitation letter is emailed within 3 to 5 business days after your payment is verified.
- You arrange your own visa, travel and accommodation.
Call for Papers – 40th International Conference on African Economics and Development
Scholars and practitioners are warmly invited to submit original research contributions that advance knowledge of African economics, development policy, and regional transformation. The conference welcomes empirical studies, theoretical frameworks, and comparative analyses that illuminate pathways toward equitable and sustainable development across the continent.
Accepted work may be considered for the conference proceedings where applicable and is presented during the event in Ajax, Canada.
Suggested Submission Topics:
- AfCFTA implementation and trade barriers
- Agricultural productivity and rural development
- Sovereign debt and fiscal sustainability
- Mobile money and financial inclusion
- Climate change and green economy transitions
- Urban migration and informal labor markets
- Foreign direct investment in Africa
- Education, human capital, and growth
- Natural resource governance and Dutch disease
- Gender equity in African economies
- Post-conflict reconstruction and economic recovery
- Pan-African monetary policy frameworks
Paper and Abstract Submission
Authors are invited to submit abstracts, research papers, case studies, review papers or professional practice presentations.
All submissions are reviewed before acceptance. Submitted work should be original and not previously published.
For the 40th edition, papers can cover any of the conference tracks, for example Mobile money and financial inclusion, Natural resource governance and Dutch disease or Pan-African monetary policy frameworks.
| Submission Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Abstract | A concise summary of the research, case study or presentation topic |
| Full Paper | A complete academic or professional paper |
| Case Study | A practical business, management or economic case analysis |
| Review Paper | A literature-based research or industry review |
| Professional Presentation | A practice-based presentation from professional experience |
Submission Guidelines
- Submissions must be written in English.
- Submissions must be original and relevant to the conference theme.
- Abstracts should clearly describe the purpose, method, findings and relevance of the work.
- Full papers should normally be between 4 and 12 pages.
- Authors must complete registration after acceptance to confirm participation.
Peer Review Details
All submitted abstracts and full papers undergo a double-blind peer review process conducted by reviewers selected for their expertise in African economics, development policy, and related disciplines. Review outcomes (acceptance, revision, or rejection) are communicated to authors within the stated review period, and constructive feedback is provided to support the refinement of scholarly contributions.
To know more about our peer review details, visit here.
Submission Form
Note: If you are interested in participating as an author, you must submit your paper through the Author Paper Submission Form before completing the payment and registration.
Best Paper Award
The Best Paper Award will be announced at the conference closing session. The winner will be rewarded with:
- The recipient of the Best Paper Award will receive a certificate of excellence along with a complimentary full registration for the following edition of the conference, acknowledging their contribution to advancing the field of African economics and development.
- Winning papers will be prominently featured in the conference’s official post-event communications, including its newsletter and website, and may be fast-tracked for consideration in partner academic journals, amplifying the author’s reach within the global development economics community.
40th International Conference on African Economics and Development – May 29, 2027 – Ajax, Canada
[Registration starts 9 AM, Gate closes 9:30 AM]
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Registration and networking |
| 10:00 AM – 10:20 AM | Opening remarks |
| 10:20 AM – 11:00 AM | Keynote session |
| 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM | Technical Session 1 |
| 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM | Lunch break |
| 1:30 PM – 3:00 PM | Technical Session 2 |
| 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM | Coffee break |
| 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM | Panel discussion and audience Q&A |
| 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM | Certificate distribution and photo session |
| 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Networking session |
Venue
To be announced.
Contact Us
3 Massey Square, East York, Ontario M4C 5L5, Canada
E-mail: [email protected]
Keynote Speaker
Keynote speaker to be announced. Focus: global transformation, leadership, innovation, and strategic growth.
Conference Terms
- Name or spelling changes to an issued invitation letter cost US$50.
- A notarized invitation letter is an optional extra service (US$100), sent within 10 business days after payment. It supports a visa application but does not guarantee approval.
Terms and ConditionsRefund PolicyNotarized Invitation Letter
Disclaimer
- This conference is intentionally multidisciplinary in scope, drawing contributions from economics, political science, sociology, geography, and related fields — authors should anticipate an audience with diverse disciplinary backgrounds and frame their work accessibly.
- Registration and abstract submission alone do not constitute confirmed attendance; participation is only considered finalized upon receipt of full payment and written confirmation from the conference organizing committee.
- Registered attendees are expected to be present for the sessions in which they are scheduled to present or participate; failure to notify organizers of scheduling conflicts in advance may affect eligibility for certificates of participation and future submission considerations.