iCAD 2026 Calls for Papers on Green Transitions and Inclusive Industrialisation in Africa

The Ghana Scholarly Society (GSS) has opened the call for papers for the 2026 International Conference on African Development (iCAD 2026), 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 opened on August 18, 2025, and close on March 31, 2026. Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit extended abstracts (2–4 pages) or full papers (up to 12 pages) via the GSS website: www.ghscholars.com.

Notifications of acceptance will be sent by April 10, 2026, followed by early-bird registration. All accepted papers will appear in the British Library Conference Proceedings (Print ISSN: 3033-523X; Online ISSN: 3033-5248). Selected high-quality papers may 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:

1. Business and Management: Entrepreneurship, ESG, and Climate-Aligned Growth Strategies
   
2. Economics, Finance, and Accounting: Green Transitions and Sustainable Infrastructure
   
3. AI, Data, and Digital Technologies: Building Human Capital for a Green Economy
   
4. Health and Medicine: Public Health and Socio-Economic Inclusion
   
5. Engineering and Construction: Green Engineering and Sustainable Innovations
   
6. Law and Society: Rights, Accountability, and Sustainable Transitions
   
7. 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.

A Platform for Africa-Led Development

The organisers emphasise that iCAD 2026 is a platform for African researchers and professionals to lead the continent’s development dialogue. 

They note that despite decades of external support, Africa’s development outcomes remain below expectations, and stress that platforms like iCAD are essential for nurturing home-grown solutions through research, dialogue, and innovation. 

The conference also highlights the urgency of aligning Africa’s industrialisation with environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and economic resilience, bridging theory, policy, and practice for a greener, fairer, and self-sustaining future.

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