BACKGROUND

Africa’s vast natural resources should not be a curse, but a blessing. Despite vast natural resources and a youthful population, industrialisation has lingered, often dependent on carbon-intensive and extractive models. However, Africa stands at a critical juncture. Climate change, economic vulnerability, and demographic pressures seem to reshape the continent’s development landscape. Green transitions present new opportunities for value creation, sustainable growth, and employment, especially for Africa’s youth. Yet, this will require innovative policies, cross-sector collaboration, and strong institutional frameworks. This conference provides a space for interdisciplinary exchange and policy engagement, with a commitment to Africa-led development and global collaboration.

OBJECTIVES

Despite the external assistance to develop Africa over the years, the expected results have not been fully realised. African professionals and African researchers are best placed to uncover the enduring solutions Africa needs to develop. The International Conference on African Development (iCAD) is a platform for African researchers, professionals, and development actors to reframe Africa’s development agenda through rigorous scholarship and practical engagement. It aims to examine policy, business, and community-based strategies that promote inclusive growth and long-term sustainability across the continent. The 2026 theme, “Green Transitions and Inclusive Industrialisation in Africa: Theory to Policy and Practice”, seeks to explore how green innovations and sustainable industrial strategies can drive job creation, value addition and equitable development. This year’s focus highlights the growing urgency to align Africa’s development models with environmental sustainability while empowering youth through education and entrepreneurship.

The conference, in partnership with the Anglia Ruskin University, The British Council Ghana, Ghana High Commission (UK), UK–Ghana Chamber of Commerce (UK–GCC), Ghana International Bank, Taptap Send Money Transfer, OMAXX, First Klass Shipping, and ExcelPlus Education, will be hosted by Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, from 17th to 19th June 2026. The involvement of these key partners emphasises the commitment of the Ghana Scholarly Society to foster dialogue, build partnerships in addressing the continent’s pressing sustainability challenges.

The conference planning committee and the Ghana Scholarly Society, in collaboration with partners and Anglia Ruskin University–Cambridge, look forward to hosting the iCAD Annual Conference 2026.  The call for papers and submissions opens on 18th August 2025 and will close on 31st March 2026. More information will be available on the GSS website – www.ghscholars.com. Outcomes of the paper submission will be communicated by April 10th, 2026. We are also delighted to announce that the informal networking and reception will be held at a central location in Cambridge on Thursday, 18th June 2026, and the conference dinner will take place on Friday evening, 19 June 2026, at one of Cambridge’s prestigious venues.

The conference is open to all academics and professionals whose work focuses on Africa and/or sustainable development. There will be seven (7) thematic areas. Each track will feature an experienced academic/industry speaker, an early career researcher (ECR) or practitioner, and oral presentations based on accepted abstracts. The event also includes workshops on publishing, CV writing, and interview techniques. There will be PhD colloquium and a workshop for industry and professionals to present insights and solutions for Africa’s green transition.

1. Business and Management Track

Theme: Entrepreneurship, ESG, and Climate-Aligned Growth Strategies
Topics may include:

• Green entrepreneurship ecosystems

• ESG compliance and green corporate strategies

• Climate-aligned SME development

• Circular economy business models

• Youth-led innovation hubs

Track Chairs:

• Prof. David Sarpong, Aston University – d.sarpong1@aston.ac.uk

• Dr Samuel Adomako, University of Birmingham – s.adomako@bham.ac.uk
  

• Dr Francis Donbesuur, University of Leicester – f.donbesuur@leicester.ac.uk
  

• Dr Frank Nyame-Asiamah, Anglia Ruskin University – frank.nyame-asiamah@aru.ac.uk

2. Economics, Finance, and Accounting Track

Theme: Green Transitions and Sustainable Infrastructure
Topics may include:

• Renewable energy access and innovation

• Smart cities and sustainable housing

• Infrastructure for climate resilience

• Clean transport and construction technologies

Track Chairs:

•  Dr Albert Danso, De Montfort University – albert.danso@dmu.ac.uk

• Dr Rexford Attah-Boakye, University of Bradford – r.attah-boakye@bradford.ac.uk

• Dr Evans Gyasi, Anglia Ruskin University – evans.gyasi@aru.ac.uk

3. AI, Data Analytics, Computing, and Digital Technologies Track

Theme: Building Human Capital for a Green Economy
Topics may include:

• Green TVET and workforce readiness

• E-learning for environmental literacy, digital skills for green jobs

• AI, automation, and the future job market

• Tech-driven innovation hubs, blockchain and digital finance

 Track Chair:

• Dr Dominic Obeng, University of Leicester – dom155rich@yahoo.com

• Dr Joseph Danquah, University of Bradford, J.K.Danquah1@bradford.ac.uk

• Dr Gloria Appiah, Queen Mary University of London – g.appiah@qmul.ac.uk

• Dr Joshua Obeng-Nyarko, University of Essex -jkoben@essex.ac.uk

4. Health and Medicine Track

Theme: Public Health and Socio-Economic Inclusion
Topics may include:

• Health effects of climate change

• Social protection in green transitions

• Gender, inequality, and sustainable livelihoods

• Local innovation and community resilience

Track Chairs:

• Dr Kofi Asare-Addo, University of Huddersfield – K.Asare-Addo@hud.ac.uk
  

• Dr Kenny Omo, University of Central Lancashire – Komoniala@uclan.ac.uk

• Dr Sandra Appiah, Middlesex University – s.appiah@mdx.ac.uk
  

5. Engineering and Construction Track

Theme: Green Engineering and Sustainable Construction Innovations

Topics may include:

• Smart cities and sustainable construction

• Green technologies and energy projects

• Green Engineering and sustainable innovations

• Smart cities and sustainable construction

Track Chairs:

• Dr Joseph K. Ofori Kuragu, Anglia Ruskin University – joseph.ofori@aru.ac.uk

• Dr Philip K. Quainoo, University of Northampton – philipvis@yahoo.co.uk

• Dr Julius Azasoo, GIMPA. jazasoo@gimpa.edu.gh
  

6. Law and Society Track

Theme: Rights, Accountability, and Sustainable Transitions
Topics may include:

• Legal frameworks for green transformation

• Land use, water rights, and social equity

• Climate justice and Indigenous rights

• Governance reforms for sustainability

Track Chairs:

• Dr Nuhu Yidana, SOAS University of London – ny4@soas.ac.uk

• Dr Priscilla A. Vitoh, University of Leicester – pav10@leicester.ac.uk

• Dr Shun Oshita, Surugadai University, Japan – a.peace.world@suou.waseda.jp

7. Urban Futures Track

Theme: Transformations, Sustainability, Development, and Everyday Challenges
Topics may include:

• Sustainable urban development, planning and green transitions

• Housing, land, infrastructure provision and low-carbon future

• Resilient cities and changing climate

• Mobility, Technology and Smart Urban Transitions

• Politics of urban development and inclusion

• Urban labour, Skills and the Future of Work

Track Chairs:

• Dr Divine M. Asafo, University of Hull – d.m.asafo@hull.ac.uk
  

• Michael K. Kwaitoo, Global Banking College – MKwaitoo@globalbanking.ac.uk

• Dr Raymond Ehwi, Oxford Brookes University - rehwi@brookes.ac.uk