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Call for Contributions18–21 October 2027

African Conference on Economic Development and Innovation

ACOEDI 2027

Hosted by IfEDI Africa in partnership with ICBMD

Official Theme

FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AMBITIONS TO MEASURABLE ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE

Localising Development, Building Capabilities and Transforming African Economies.

18–21 October 2027Durban, South AfricaVenue: To be announced

Official Conference Information

Conference: African Conference on Economic Development and Innovation (ACOEDI 2027)

Dates: 18–21 October 2027

City: Durban

Country: South Africa

Specific venue: To be announced

Lead institution: IfEDI Africa

Conference partner: ICBMD

Status: Call for Contributions

Conference Rationale

Building on the foundations established at ACOEDI 2026, the 2027 conference examines how African and global development ambitions can be localised and translated into measurable economic outcomes through competent people, capable institutions, productive economic systems and evidence-based implementation.

The conference recognises that policies, institutions, qualifications, budgets, infrastructure and development programmes do not automatically generate economic transformation. Their effectiveness depends on the competencies of economic actors, institutional capability, productive resource combinations, technological innovation, economic connectivity, market participation and effective implementation.

ACOEDI 2027 therefore seeks to advance economic development dialogue towards practical performance improvement, institutional benchmarking, innovation, professionalisation and measurable economic outcomes.

Strategic Alignment

ACOEDI 2027 is aligned with the following continental and global development frameworks.

African Union Agenda 2063

Agenda 2063 Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (2024–2033)

African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)

STISA 2034

African Union 2027 priorities on connectivity and new technologies

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Localisation of African and global development agendas

Relevant national and regional development strategies

These are presented as policy alignments and do not constitute claims of formal endorsement by the institutions concerned.

Four Subthemes and Sixteen Focus Streams

The ACOEDI 2027 thematic programme is organised into four subthemes, each with four focus streams.

1

Localising Development Agendas and Building Inclusive Local Economies

  • 1.1Development Agenda Localisation and Multilevel Governance
  • 1.2Spatial, Territorial and Place-Based Economic Development
  • 1.3Community Economic Agency and Participatory Governance
  • 1.4Inclusive Enterprise Participation and Local Economic Transformation
2

Developing Competent People and High-Performing Institutions

  • 2.1Economic Development Competencies, Professionalisation and Certification
  • 2.2Education, Skills, Human Capital and Workforce Transformation
  • 2.3Institutional Architecture, Governance and Development Coordination
  • 2.4Institutional Resourcing, Service Standards and Operational Performance
3

Advancing Productivity, Innovation and Economic Integration

  • 3.1Factors of Production, Industrialisation and Structural Transformation
  • 3.2Innovation Ecosystems, AI and Digital Industrial Transformation
  • 3.3Enterprise Development, Venture Creation and Development Finance
  • 3.4Economic Infrastructure, Regional Value Chains and Continental Market Integration
4

Strengthening Economic Development Evidence, Sustainability and Measurable Impact

  • 4.1Economic Development Research, Modelling and Intelligence
  • 4.2Economic Development Standards, Benchmarking and Performance Measurement
  • 4.3Development Implementation, Monitoring, Evaluation and Scalable Impact
  • 4.4Sustainable, Climate-Resilient and Inclusive Economic Transformation

Five Contribution Tracks

Contributions are submitted under one of five approved tracks.

T1

Scientific Research, Theory and Economic Modelling

Academic papers, theoretical and empirical research, economic modelling and methodological studies.

Independent peer review
T2

Industry, Technology and Enterprise Innovation

Industry innovations, technology applications, enterprise innovations, commercialisation and innovation demonstrations.

Tailored technical assessment
T3

Policy, Governance and Institutional Reform

Policy contributions, governance frameworks, institutional arrangements and reform proposals.

Tailored technical assessment
T4

Development Practice, Institutional Performance and Implementation Cases

Economic development practice cases, institutional performance studies, benchmarking and implementation experiences.

Tailored technical assessment
T5

Emerging Ventures, Grassroots and Indigenous Innovations

Emerging enterprise models, community innovations, grassroots solutions and indigenous knowledge-based innovations.

Tailored technical assessment
Academic full papers undergo appropriate independent peer review; non-academic contributions undergo tailored technical assessment. Acceptance for presentation does not automatically guarantee publication.

Thirteen Institutional Participation Groups

ACOEDI 2027 uses the IfEDI institutional classifications from the Institutional Economic Development and Innovation Knowledge-to-Impact Benchmark.

GroupInstitutional Classification
G01University / Higher Education
G02Local Government / City / County / Municipality
G03National & Regional Government / Public Administration
G04Development Agency / Investment Promotion / SEZ / Industrial Development
G05DFI / Development Bank / Financial Institution
G06Corporate & Industry
G07SOE / Utility / Infrastructure
G08TVET / Skills / Professional Formation
G09Innovation / Incubation / Enterprise Support / Technology Hub
G10Chamber / BMO / Business Intermediary
G11Research / Science / Policy / Economic Intelligence
G12Community / NGO / Traditional / Place-Based
G13Continental / Regional Institution or Development Partner
These groups identify the institutional classification of contributors and are different from the five contribution tracks. Individuals, students, entrepreneurs and independent practitioners remain eligible to participate even where they do not fit an institutional classification.

Important Conference Dates

All deadlines are specified in South African Standard Time (SAST, UTC+2).

ActivityDate (SAST)
Abstract / Concept Submission Deadline30 April 2027
Notification of Abstract Decisions31 May 2027
Early Bird Registration Deadline15 June 2027
Full Paper / Contribution Materials Submission31 July 2027
Final Review Outcomes31 August 2027
Presenter Registration Deadline15 September 2027
Final Conference Programme20 September 2027
Regular Delegate Registration Deadline30 September 2027
ACOEDI 2027 Conference18–21 October 2027

Abstract acceptance is preliminary. Final acceptance follows the applicable review process.

Conference Programme

Day 1

18 October 2027

· Arrival, Registration and Welcome
  • Arrival and registration
  • Welcome activities
  • Networking
Days 2–3

19–20 October 2027

· Main Conference Programme
  • Plenary sessions
  • Keynote and strategic discussions
  • Academic research presentations
  • Policy and institutional governance contributions
  • Development practice and implementation cases
  • Industry innovation showcases
  • Emerging ventures and grassroots innovations
  • Professional and institutional networking
Day 4

21 October 2027

· Optional Technical Tour
  • Applied economic development site visits
  • Separately priced at R1,980 per participant

Registration Fees

Early Bird deadline: 15 June 2027.

Registration CategoryEarly BirdRegular
Presenting AuthorR6,800R7,500
Second Paper (Additional Accepted Submission)R4,300R5,300
DelegateR7,300R9,800
Student / Start-up Presenting AuthorR4,000R4,500
Student / Start-up DelegateR4,500R5,000

Early Bird deadline: 15 June 2027. Optional technical tour: R1,980 per delegate. Student and start-up rates are subject to proof of status or approval by the ACOEDI Secretariat.

ACOEDI 2027 Governance and Administration

The ACOEDI 2027 programme is supported by two structures.

Conference Secretariat and Organising Committee

Responsible for conference planning, administration, stakeholder engagement, programme coordination, logistics, registration, communications and delivery.

Scientific and Technical Committee

Responsible for academic and technical quality, contribution reviews, programme relevance, research integrity and assessment of practice and innovation submissions.

Committee members and appointments are published only once confirmed. The former ACOEDI 2026 Governance Council is not carried into the 2027 conference structure.

ACOEDI 2026 Archive

The inaugural conference, preserved as a historical record.

Institutional EDI Benchmark

Institutional benchmarking across 13 peer groups.

IfEDI Africa Excellence Awards

Recognition of excellence in economic development and innovation.

Contact the ACOEDI 2027 Secretariat

For enquiries about contributions, registration, sponsorship or the conference programme.