The African Futures & Innovation programme (AFI) at the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) invites researchers, policymakers, practitioners, foresight professionals, development partners, universities, think tanks, government institutions, civil society and private sector organisations, and innovators to submit proposals for the 3rd African Futures Conference 2026. The conference takes place on 13–14 October 2026 in hybrid format: Day 1 in-person at the CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, with a livestream, and Day 2 fully online.

Accepted contributions form part of the curated Day 2 online programme, which focuses on practice, participation and learning. We welcome contributions from across Africa and beyond that strengthen African-led foresight, policy innovation and long-term decision-making, and we are particularly interested in examples of how data, modelling and foresight have been applied in practice. Both successful experiences and honest reflections on challenges and lessons learned are welcome.

Theme

From data to decisions: Understanding trends. Exploring alternatives. Shaping futures.

Africa’s future is not predetermined. Data, evidence and modelling help us understand current trends and explore how different choices could shape alternative futures. Foresight enables us to anticipate uncertainty, assess risks and opportunities, and support more informed policy, investment and strategic choices. The conference explores how data, modelling, foresight and collaboration can strengthen long-term decision-making and more resilient, inclusive and sustainable development across Africa.

Conference thematic tracks

• Africa’s current path and development potential: understanding where current trends are taking Africa through data, modelling, forecasting and evidence.
• Alternative futures: exploring how different choices, innovations and global shifts could create new pathways for Africa.
• Preferred futures for Africa: imagining inclusive, resilient and sustainable futures and identifying the actions needed to realise them.
• Foresight in practice: building practical skills and sharing approaches, methods and tools for applying foresight.
• Embedding foresight for impact: showcasing how foresight is being institutionalised and applied in government, organisations, research and development practice.

Guiding questions

Applicants may wish to consider:

• What trends, evidence or modelling insights should shape Africa’s long-term decisions?
• What alternative futures should policymakers, practitioners and communities be preparing for?
• How has data, modelling or foresight informed long-term planning, policy development or strategic decision-making in your organisation?
• What practical methods, tools or approaches for futures thinking can others apply in their own work?
• What lessons, partnerships or innovations can strengthen foresight practice across Africa?

Who can apply?

Policymakers and government officials, researchers and academics, data scientists and modellers, foresight practitioners, development partners, think tanks, civil society organisations, universities, private-sector organisations, and others using evidence, modelling and futures thinking to inform Africa’s long-term development.

Submission formats

Submit your contribution in one of the following formats:

• Lightning talk (7 minutes): one compelling idea, emerging trend, innovation or provocative question to spark new thinking and conversation.
• Interactive presentation (15 minutes): research, policy insights, practical experiences or emerging evidence that contribute to understanding Africa’s future and encourage discussion.
• Practice showcase/demonstration (20 minutes): how your organisation has applied data, modelling or foresight to support long-term planning, policy development or strategic decision-making.
• Interactive workshop/FuturesLab (45–60 minutes): a hands-on session that enables participants to explore and apply a foresight method, tool or approach. Workshops are delivered online via a streaming platform such as Zoom, and proposals must accommodate this format.

Selection criteria

Submissions will be evaluated on:

• Relevance to the conference theme
• Practical application and usefulness
• Quality of participant engagement
• African relevance and contribution
• Originality and innovation
• Potential to strengthen foresight practice and decision-making

How to apply

Submit via the online application form by 10 August 2026 with:

• Name, affiliation and contact details
• Session title
• Conference thematic track(s)
• Preferred contribution format
• Abstract (maximum 300 words)
• Learning objectives (maximum three)
• Brief facilitator biography (maximum 150 words)

Key dates

• Deadline for submissions: 10 August 2026
• Notification of acceptance: 26 August 2026
• Submission of conference material: 10 September 2026
• African Futures Conference 2026: 13–14 October 2026

Partners and supporters

The 2026 African Futures Conference is supported by the Robert Bosch Academy and the Hanns Seidel Foundation, alongside a growing network of African and international partners committed to advancing foresight, evidence-based policymaking and sustainable development across the continent.