Conference Overview The African International Conference 2026, hosted at the University of Bradford, provides a multidisciplinary platform for scholars, practitioners, policymakers, innovators and government representatives to engage with the most pressing issues shaping the African continent. Held in person from 11–12 June 2026 at the Richmond Building, the event focuses on fostering dialogue, advancing knowledge, and promoting collaborative research that supports sustainable and inclusive development across Africa. The conference is rooted in the guiding theme African Renaissance: Reclaiming Narratives and Advancing a Shared Future, reflecting the need to reshape global perceptions of Africa while highlighting African expertise, innovation and agency. The continent continues to demonstrate significant progress in sectors such as technology, renewable energy, healthcare and entrepreneurship. However, realising Africa’s full potential requires intentional efforts to address structural inequalities, strengthen regional integration and ensure equitable distribution of development gains. The conference brings these issues into focus through presentations, posters, discussions and networking opportunities. Theme: African Renaissance The central theme emphasises reclaiming African narratives, amplifying indigenous knowledge and promoting collaborative approaches to development. The conference positions the African Renaissance as a process of intellectual, cultural, economic and political revitalisation driven by Africans themselves. Through interdisciplinary engagement, participants explore transformative solutions that can strengthen governance, improve human development outcomes and advance regional cohesion. Call for Abstracts Prospective contributors are invited to submit abstracts aligned with the conference theme. The submission deadline is 30 January 2026. Abstracts must not exceed 250 words and must clearly address the following elements: Background: A concise overview of the societal or scholarly issue being addressed. Research Question or Objectives: A clearly defined aim or set of research questions. Research Narrative: An overview of the methodology, the work undertaken and planned next steps. Thematic Connection and Impact: A direct explanation of how the research engages with the conference theme and its potential implications for African societies. Accessibility: A demonstration that the research can be understood by non-specialist audiences. Submissions must include the author’s full name, institutional affiliation, abstract title and up to five keywords. Successful applicants will have their abstracts featured in the official conference programme. Conference Sub-Themes To guide contributions and stimulate thematic depth, presenters may situate their work within the following sub-themes: Advancing Good Governance and Human Rights for Justice, Equity and Resilient Communities Education, Technology and the Digital Future of Learning Culture, Creativity and Transnational Indigenous Networks in Development Climate Action and Environmental Sustainability Health, Medicine, Food and Human Security Epistemic Pluralism and African Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Dialogue with Global Thought African Indigeneity, Innovation and Economic Agency in a Globalised World These sub-themes invite diverse perspectives while maintaining coherence with the broader vision of the African Renaissance. Presentation Formats Two presentation formats will be available: Oral Presentations (In-Person) Presenters will deliver structured talks followed by Q&A sessions, allowing for comprehensive engagement with research findings and theoretical contributions. Poster Presentations (In-Person) Poster presenters will display A1-sized posters and provide a 5-minute overview of their work followed by a 5-minute Q&A. This format supports dynamic exchanges and encourages networking through short, interactive conversations. Conference Activities The programme incorporates a variety of academic and networking activities aimed at enhancing professional connections and knowledge exchange. These include: A pre-conference workshop Plenary and parallel sessions led by invited guest speakers Panel discussions and roundtable debates Networking events aligned with the core themes These activities ensure participants gain insights into emerging research and contribute to forward-looking discussions on Africa’s development trajectory. Partnerships and Collaboration The conference is supported by several key partners, including the International Peace Research Association, International Conference Alerts, the African Business Association UK and The John and Elnora Ferguson Centre for African Studies. Strategic partnerships with Bradford 2025 (UK City of Culture), Bradford City AFC and the Bradford Literature Festival further enrich the conference’s reach and impact. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organizing organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.