Leadership
Conference Governance Structure
ACOEDI 2026 is governed through a structured framework comprising the Conference Secretariat and Organising Committee, the Conference Governance Council, and the Scientific and Technical Committee.
A — Conference Secretariat and Organising Committee
Responsible for the end-to-end planning, coordination, and delivery of ACOEDI 2026, including programme management, stakeholder engagement, logistics, and communications.
B — Conference Governance Council
Provides strategic guidance, intellectual leadership, and institutional oversight, ensuring alignment with continental economic development priorities.
Executive
•Dr Glenda Maluleke (UNISA) – Conference Chair
•Prof Michael Twum-Darko (ICBMD) – Deputy Chair
•Dr Albert Jeleni (IfEDI) – Conference Organiser
•Dr Mpho Tshikororo (UNIVEN) – Deputy Organiser
•Prof Vannie Naidoo (UKZN)
•Prof O Oni (University of Fort Hare)
•A Representative of the DTIC
•A Representative of the National Treasury
•A Representative of Stats SA
•A Representative of CoGTA
•A Representative of the DBSA
•A Representative of Vodacom
•Prof Mary Lucia Mbithi (University of Nairobi)
•A Representative of the University of Namibia
•Department of Higher Education
Track Management
Track 1: Academic Research Papers
•Prof Johannes PS Sheefeni (UWC)
•Prof Sibanisezwe Alwyn Khumalo (Rhodes University)
•Dr Ian Johnson (UWC)
•Prof Mulatu Zerihun (TUT)
•Ms Kesaobaka Mmelesi (UJ)
Track 2: Industry Innovation Showcases
•Dr Thobile Radebe (Stellenbosch University)
•A Representative of Knife Capital
•A Representative of BPeSA
•Ms Nonkululeko Khumalo (NMU)
•Ms Hlompo Maruping (NWU)
Track 3: Policy and Governance Innovations
•Dr Edward Rankhumise (TUT)
•Dr Sithembiso Govuzela (VUT)
•A Representative of the DSTI
•A Representative of the LEDET
•Dr Thandukwazi Ncube (DUT)
Track 4: Development Practice Cases
•Dr Tebogo Sethibe (ARC)
•A Representative of the CSIR
•A Representative of the UNDP
•A Representative of the IDC
•A Representative of the AfDB
Track 5: Venture, Grassroots & Indigenous Innovations
•A Representative of the Univen IRD
•A Representative of the DSBD
•A Representative of MEST Africa
•A Representative of StreetNet
•A Representative of A.Y.E.
C — Scientific and Technical Committee
Responsible for ensuring the quality, relevance, and integrity of all conference contributions, including academic papers, industry submissions, policy inputs, and development practice cases. Provides peer review, technical validation, and content alignment.
Further details of the Committee members are available on the conference website.