Business & Management
Productive enterprises, leadership and workforce development.
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Explore enterprise productivity, leadership, organisational capability, entrepreneurship and workforce development across African economies.
2027BUILDING AFRICA'S PRODUCTIVE FUTURE
Upskilling, Efficiency and Accountability for Inclusive Development
THE CALL FOR PAPERS IS NOW OPEN
Extended abstracts, full papers, and practice or policy briefs — across seven thematic tracks. Up to four submissions per author, double-blind reviewed.
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Delegates
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Distinguished & Keynote Speakers
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Thematic Conference Tracks
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Days of Scholarship & Practice
About iCAD
iCAD is a platform for African researchers, professionals, policymakers and development actors to reframe Africa’s development agenda through rigorous scholarship, policy engagement and practical action. In 2027, the conversation turns to the skills, institutions and leadership needed to build productive and inclusive futures.
01Global Network
02Innovative Ideas
03Real-World Impact
04Better Outcomes
KEYNOTE MOMENTS
PANEL DISCUSSIONS
NETWORKING MOMENTSIdeas from iCAD
Every attendee is encouraged to document key insights, maintain new connections, and apply relevant ideas within their own organization following the conference.
Explore
Who should attend
iCAD brings together people who research, shape and put into practice Africa’s development agenda. If your work touches it, there is a place for you.
Policymakers
Government officials and advisers shaping skills, industry and institutional reform.
Founders
Entrepreneurs and business leaders building enterprises across the continent.
Scholars
Academics across business, economics, health, engineering, law and the social sciences.
Researchers
Researchers turning evidence into solutions and policy briefs.
Industry professionals
Practitioners with experience of what works on the ground.
Emerging scholars
PhD students and early-career researchers presenting and learning.
Development partners
Funders, institutions and organisations investing in Africa’s future.
Civil society and media
Advocates, communicators and community leaders joining the conversation.
Tracks
Seven connected tracks examine skills, productivity, technology, health, infrastructure, governance and inclusive cities. Artificial intelligence runs through all of them. Three are shown here.
Economics, Finance & Accounting
Productive economies, efficient resource use and accountability.
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Examine economic transformation, financial systems, resource allocation, public finance and value for money.
AI, Data Analytics, Computing & Digital Technologies
Digital skills, artificial intelligence and efficient development.
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Consider responsible AI, data analytics, digital infrastructure, computing, innovation and technology-enabled development.
2027 keynote speakers
Distinguished voices opening and framing the conversations across iCAD 2027.
Meet the new voices
Our speakers will contribute to thought-provoking discussions aimed at exploring innovative and sustainable solutions to the continent’s most pressing challengesSee all speakers & keynotes
Those helping make iCAD happen
iCAD 2027 is delivered with the support of our partner institutions, sponsors and collaborators
They've spoken at iCAD
Past voices from the iCAD archive, growing edition by edition.
What attendees say about iCAD
Reflections from delegates across previous editions of iCAD
“iCAD gave me a rare opportunity to move between research, policy and practical conversations about Africa.”
Academic attendeeiCAD 2026
“The quality of the conversations made the conference feel genuinely interdisciplinary.”
ResearcheriCAD 2026
“I valued the space to connect with people working on real development challenges.”
Industry participantiCAD 2026
“The conference created a strong bridge between scholarship and practice.”
Policy participantiCAD 2026
“The emerging scholars sessions were especially useful for feedback and new connections.”
Early-career researcheriCAD 2026
“iCAD is a place where African development questions can be debated with depth and openness.”
Conference attendeeiCAD 2026
“The programme brought together perspectives I would not normally encounter in one room.”
Academic attendeeiCAD 2026
“I left with new ideas, new contacts and a clearer sense of where my work could have impact.”
Professional attendeeiCAD 2026
“The discussions were ambitious but grounded in the realities facing institutions and communities.”
Development practitioneriCAD 2026
“It felt like a community as much as a conference.”
Returning attendeeiCAD 2026
Accommodation for iCAD 2027
Suggested accommodation options for delegates travelling to London.
MAKE A TRIP OF IT
A Tour for iCAD 2027 delegates — Details and booking to follow.
Delegate Tour
London, the Thames & the West End
One tour, three experiences. Spend the morning and afternoon exploring, the historic sceneries in London, then a River Thames cruise past the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye and Tower Bridge, before the day climaxes in the evening in London’s West End theatre district.
- Morning & afternoonThe guided tour
- Evening2027 London West End activities on stage, climaxing with the West End shows
Meet at SOAS
SOAS, University of London
London, United Kingdom
Planned venue for iCAD 2027 · 16–18 June 2027News and Press
Coverage and updates from earlier editions of iCAD.
iCAD 2026
iCAD 2026 at ARU, Cambridge
The host university’s page for the 2026 conference on green transitions and inclusive industrialisation, with its partners and plan.
Anglia Ruskin University · Read moreiCAD 2026Lancaster University Ghana presents AI workforce research
A lecturer and an undergraduate student presented a framework on how AI can augment African workers.
Lancaster University Ghana · Read moreiCAD 2026Paper deadline extended for iCAD 2026
Reports the one-month extension and describes 2026 as the society’s third annual conference.
News Ghana · Read moreiCAD 2026GSS invites sponsors to iCAD 2026
Coverage of the call for sponsors and the partners already backing the conference.
CediRates · Read moreiCAD 2025GSS leads the dialogue on youth employment
A preview of the 2025 conference at Aston Business School, with a look back at the first gathering at Bradford in 2024.
MyJoyOnline · Read moreiCAD 2027The iCAD 2027 announcement
The society’s own page for the 2027 edition, including calls for track chairs and future hosts.
Ghana Scholarly Society · Read more