About Conference
The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) proudly announces a call for the 2026 Africa Young Graduates and Scholars (AYGS) Conference. The 2026 conference marks an important milestone, its 20th anniversary. For two decades, the AYGS platform has played a pioneering role in shaping Africa’s emerging intellectuals. This annual gathering of master’s students, doctoral candidates, recent PhD graduates, policymakers, and practitioners provides a dynamic space for young African voices to present research addressing Africa’s most pressing development priorities.
Known for its rich cultural diversity and growing dynamic economies, the 20th AYGS conference will be held on 10–12 March 2026 at the University of Mpumalanga (UMP). This milestone conference will be hosted by the HSRC, in partnership with the National Research Foundation (NRF) Future Earth Africa Hub Leadership Centre, the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR), and other key academic and policy stakeholders.
The 2026 theme: Driving Sustainable Development: Innovation Through Technological Transformation
Africa stands on the cusp of a profound transformation, one defined by its demographic dividend, youthful energy, and digital ambition. However, despite promising advancements, the continent continues to grapple with multidimensional challenges: growing climate vulnerability, persistent inequalities, youth unemployment, fragmented governance systems, and shifting global power dynamics.
In this context, the 2026 AYGS Conference invites early-career African researchers to reimagine Africa’s future through the lens of technological innovation, sustainability, and inclusive development. The theme emphasises the importance of harnessing scientific evidence, technological capabilities, and youth-led innovations to design African solutions to African problems. It calls for bold thinking, practical insights, and collaborative research that will influence policy, transform systems, and deliver meaningful impact.
This historic AYGS conference seeks to inspire scholars to interrogate Africa’s position in the global knowledge economy and to explore how innovation can serve as a bridge between aspiration and action. In line with Agenda 2063, the conference recognises Africa’s youth not only as beneficiaries but as architects of development, equipped to shape inclusive and resilient futures.
Submissions should address one or more of the following areas of focus:
• Innovation and Climate Action: Youth-driven solutions for climate resilience, renewable energy, green transitions, and adaptation strategies
• Inclusive Economic Growth and Employment: Innovation ecosystems, digital entrepreneurship, industrial policy, informal sector dynamics, and future of work
• Youth Empowerment and Education for Development: Education reform, youth leadership, digital learning, skills development, and access to opportunity
• Health and Wellbeing for All: Health equity, digital health, pandemics, universal healthcare, nutrition, and mental health
• Good Governance and Institutional Development: Public sector innovation, anti-corruption, decentralisation, civic technology, and democratic accountability
• Trade, Tariffs, and the New World Order: AfCFTA, global trade governance, regional integration, economic diplomacy, and industrial development
These sub-themes align with Africa’s development blueprints and the HSRC’s strategic research priorities.
The 2026 AYGS Conference invites abstract submissions from:
• Master’s and doctoral students currently enrolled at African institutions
• Recent PhD graduates (within the last three years)
• Young professionals with strong research backgrounds in development, social science, economics, climate, governance, or related fields
• We particularly encourage participation from Francophone, Lusophone, and North African regions to ensure a diverse and inclusive dialogue.
Interested participants should submit an abstract that reflects strong theoretical grounding, empirical insight, and relevance to the conference theme.
Abstract format:
• Maximum length: 300 words
• Keywords: 5
• Author information: Full name, institutional affiliation, country, and contact email
• All submissions should be sent to: aygs2026@hsrc.ac.za
IMPORTANT DATES
PRE-CONFERENCE MASTERCLASSES
Shortlisted candidates will participate in a curated series of online masterclasses led by African experts, focused on research
methodology, policy impact, and the sub-theme areas. Attendance of at least 80% of the masterclasses is mandatory and is
designed to refine research papers and enhance presentation skills.
Participation requirements:
• Participants must commit to attending the in-person conference in South Africa.
• All submissions will undergo a double-blind peer review by the Scientific Committee.
• The HSRC will sponsor the travel, accommodation, and subsistence of conference attendees whose papers are submitted and accepted (there will be no cash awards).
Be Part of Africa’s Knowledge Future
For queries and further information, contact: Dr Nomcebo Ubisi by Email at Nubisi@hsrc.ac.za, Tel: at +27 12 302 2285