Call for
Abstracts
The convenors of the 7th African Philanthropy Conference (7APC) invite scholars, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to submit abstracts for the academic programme of the conference.
Building on six years of advancing scholarship and dialogue on African philanthropy—from agenda-setting and systems change to sustainable financing for development—the 2027 conference turns to one of the defining issues of our time: how artificial intelligence, data governance, and digital transformation are reshaping philanthropy, development, civic participation, and institutional power across Africa.
How can African philanthropy move beyond digital adaptation towards digital agency?
Building sovereign digital futures
As AI, digital finance, platform technologies, and data systems increasingly influence how resources are mobilised, programmes are delivered, evidence is generated, and communities are represented, the need for African digital agency has never been more urgent.
Hosted in Addis Ababa—the seat of the African Union and a centre of continental policymaking—the conference will examine how African philanthropy can contribute to inclusive, ethical, and sovereign digital futures grounded in African knowledge, justice, accountability, and community ownership.
The academic conference seeks original contributions that advance theory, policy, and practice while offering new insight into the opportunities and challenges presented by AI and digital transformation for philanthropy and development in Africa.
Where your contribution can lead
Submissions may address one or more of the following areas. Interdisciplinary and cross-cutting work is particularly encouraged.
AI & African agency
AI, African agency, and philanthropic transformation.
Data & knowledge justice
Data sovereignty, consent, and knowledge justice.
Infrastructure & power
Digital infrastructure, platform power, and institutional autonomy.
Memory & narrative
Methodologies, memory, and narrative sovereignty in the age of AI.
Inclusive AI futures
Gender, digital divides, and inclusive AI futures.
The future of work
Digital capability, jobs, and the future of African work.
Trusted digital giving
Digital finance, trusted giving, and African philanthropic capital.
Rights & accountability
Civic space, digital rights, and democratic accountability.
Continental governance
Continental governance, climate futures, and digital sovereignty.
Accountable innovation
AI ethics, human judgment, and accountable innovation.
Choose the format that fits your work
Authors should indicate their preferred format when submitting. Final decisions on format and session placement rest with the Scientific Committee.
Individual paper
A scholarly paper reporting completed or advanced research, grouped with related submissions in a themed session.
Panel
A pre-arranged set of three to four papers under a shared title, ideally spanning institutions or countries, with a chair and, where possible, a discussant.
Roundtable
Short opening interventions on a shared issue followed by substantial structured discussion with the audience.
Poster
A visual presentation of completed or ongoing research, particularly suited to early-career researchers and work in progress.
Doctoral colloquium
A supportive forum for doctoral candidates to present emerging research and receive feedback from experienced scholars.
Prepare a strong abstract
- Length: 300–500 words.
- Core content: State the research problem, objectives, methodology (where applicable), key or expected findings, and contribution to African philanthropy scholarship and practice.
- Who may submit: Academics, doctoral researchers, early-career scholars, policymakers, and practitioners.
- Languages: English, French, Portuguese, or Arabic.
- Blind review: Enter names, affiliations, and contact details in the portal only; do not include them in the abstract body.
- Keywords: Include three to five keywords and identify the relevant sub-theme(s).
- Originality: Work must not be published, accepted, presented elsewhere, or under review elsewhere.
- Submission limit: A lead author may submit up to two abstracts and may co-author additional submissions.
Double-blind peer review
Every abstract will be reviewed by at least two independent members of the Scientific Committee.
Decisions of the Scientific Committee are final. At least one author of each accepted submission is expected to register for and present the work in person in Addis Ababa.
Mark your calendar
- Call for abstracts opens28 August 2026
- Abstract submission deadline16 October 2026
- Notification of acceptance6 November 2026
- Full draft paper submission deadline22 January 2027
- Peer review and author revisionsFebruary–March 2027
- 7th African Philanthropy Conference27–31 July 2027
What the conference provides
Subject to the conditions below, the conference convenors will provide support to presenters.
Included support
- Conference registration
- Conference materials
- Conference meals
- Local transport, including airport transfers and transport between designated conference hotels and the venue
Conditions and costs
Presenters are expected to cover international travel and accommodation unless notified otherwise.
A limited number of travel scholarships will be available. Consideration is limited to authors who submit a complete draft paper by 22 January 2027 and whose papers meet the academic review requirements.
Registration fee waivers may be considered upon written request and are subject to approval by the conference convenors.
Bring your ideas into the continental conversation
Submit an original abstract that advances scholarship, policy, or practice at the intersection of African philanthropy, AI, and digital sovereignty.
Submit your abstract