African Futures Conference 2026
From Data to Decisions
📍 Hybrid — Pretoria, South Africa & Online
📅 13–14 October 2026
The African Futures Conference 2026 is Africa’s premier gathering dedicated to advancing African-led foresight. Bringing together policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and emerging changemakers, the conference explores how data, strategic foresight, and evidence-based decision-making can support more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient futures across the continent.
Hosted in a hybrid format, the conference combines high-level dialogue with practical capacity building, creating a platform for both strategic reflection and applied futures practice.
Theme: From Data to Decisions
The 2026 edition focuses on how foresight and analysis can move beyond understanding change to actively informing better decisions.
Participants will explore Africa’s current development trajectory, examine alternative pathways for the continent, and discuss the strategic choices required to shape long-term prosperity and resilience.
Programme
Day 1 – 13 October
Hybrid (Pretoria + livestream)
The opening day features high-level dialogues examining:
Emerging trends shaping Africa
Alternative development pathways
Strategic choices for governments, institutions, and society
Long-term policy challenges and opportunities
Day 2 – 14 October
Fully online
The second day shifts toward practice through FuturesLab, an Africa-wide platform focused on:
Applying foresight methods and tools
Sharing practical case studies
Building foresight capability across sectors
Strengthening networks of futures practitioners throughout the continent
Call for Contributions
The conference welcomes submissions exploring how:
Data and evidence support strategic decision-making
Foresight informs public policy and governance
Long-term thinking contributes to sustainable and inclusive development
New approaches can strengthen Africa’s futures capacity
The programme also includes a dedicated call for Africa’s Young Changemakers, highlighting emerging voices shaping the continent’s future.
Why Attend?
The African Futures Conference has established itself as the leading platform for African foresight, placing African perspectives, priorities, and expertise at the centre of conversations about the continent’s future.
Rather than importing futures narratives from elsewhere, the conference creates space for locally grounded approaches that connect research, policy, and practice—strengthening the capacity to navigate uncertainty and proactively shape Africa’s long-term development.