Casablanca, Morocco 2026 Tracks
AFAM 8th Biennial Conference - Casablanca, Morocco 2026.
Home
8th Biennial Conference of the
Africa Academy of Management
January 4–7, 2026
ESCA Ecole de Management, Casablanca, Morocco
January 4–7, 2026
ESCA Ecole de Management, Casablanca, Morocco
Conference Theme
“The Art of Collaboration: Addressing Grand Challenges in Africa Through
Research, Education, Practice and Policy Making.”
An increasingly complex world characterized by intractable problems with implications for quality of life and ecological sustainability have been labelled societal grand challenges. In an African context, these challenges include eradication of poverty, digital transformation, ecological sustainability, entrepreneurial initiatives, and health promotion among others. The ill-defined nature of these grand challenges not only require interdisciplinary collaborations but also a mix of methodological approaches to understand these challenges. The theme of the AFAM 2026 Biennial conference ‘The Art of Collaboration: Addressing Grand Challenges in Africa Through Research, Education, Practice and Policy Making’ provides a platform for multiple stakeholders to engage in robust discussions across disciplinary boundaries, reflect on contextualized pedagogical approaches to teaching and learning, and wrestle with how to bridge the academic-practitioner divide to contextualize solutions to Africa’s grand challenges.
Reflecting the broader call for relevance in management research, the theme of the conference puts the spotlight on understanding and theorizing management-related phenomena in African contexts to advance global management theory as well as develop contextualized solutions to some of these challenges.
Call for Papers - Thematic Areas
We invite submissions across the following thematic areas:
Inclusive Business Models for Sustainable Development in Africa
Entrepreneurship and Youth Empowerment: Building Africa’s Future Workforce
Leadership Philosophies and Indigenous Management Practices
Digital Innovations and Technology Adoption in African Markets
Policy Frameworks for Enhancing Regional Trade and Economic Integration
Climate Resilience and Green Business Practices in African Enterprises
Ethical Business Practices: Combating Corruption and Strengthening Transparency
Business Education and Skill Development for Future Industries
Informal Economies and Their Role in Urban and Rural Development
Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women Entrepreneurs
Religion and spirituality in African organizations
Transforming Healthcare Systems Through Innovation and Collaboration
Financing Innovation and Addressing Capital Constraints in African Start-ups
Navigating for Natural Resources and Geopolitics in African Business
Context Specific Methodologies for Africa
Decolonization and the African University
Ready to Submit?
Download the submission guidelines and deadline information
Conference Proceedings
Editor: Dorothy Mpabanga
All accepted abstracts will be published in the conference proceedings. Best paper awards will be announced during the conference. Selected papers will be invited for review and potential publication in the African Journal of Management (AJOM
Host Institution
ESCA Ecole de Management
Casablanca, Morocco
Founded in 1992, ESCA Ecole de Management is a pioneering institution in Moroccan management education. As the first private business school in Morocco to receive official recognition in 2017, ESCA has established itself as a leader in business education across Africa. The school achieved AACSB accreditation in 2018, joining an elite group of business schools worldwide.
ESCA's commitment to excellence and innovation has earned it prestigious rankings and recognition. The school fosters a multicultural learning environment with students and faculty from diverse backgrounds, preparing future leaders for the complexities of the global business landscape.
ESCA's commitment to excellence and innovation has earned it prestigious rankings and recognition. The school fosters a multicultural learning environment with students and faculty from diverse backgrounds, preparing future leaders for the complexities of the global business landscape.
1992
Established
2017
Official Recognition
2018
AACSB Accredited
#3
Ranked in Africa (2023)
121+
Global Partners
1,100+
Multicultural Students
Accreditation & Recognition
- First private Moroccan business school officially recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education (2017
- AACSB International Accreditation (2018) - Top 5% of business schools worldwide
- Ranked #3 in Africa by Eduniversal (2023)
Join Us in Casablanca
Be part of the premier gathering of management scholars and practitioners focused on Africa. Submit your research, connect with colleagues, and contribute to shaping the future of management in Africa.
Tracks
Conference Tracks & Submissions
Select a track below to view submission guidelines, track chairs, and thematic focus areas.
The conference features 11 specialized tracks covering diverse aspects of management research and practice in Africa. Each track is led by distinguished scholars and welcomes submissions that advance knowledge in their respective domains.
Track 1: Entrepreneurship and Small Business
Entrepreneurship and SME track welcomes both empirical and conceptual papers examining issues relating to emergence, growth, innovation and sustainability in both entrepreneurial, family, and small business research in Africa and a comparative analysis of the African context with other parts of the world.
Track Chair: Rebecca Namatovu | Email: rn.si@cbs.dk
Institution: Copenhagen Business School
☑️ Open Submissions
⭐ Peer Reviewed
Track 2: Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management
This track welcomes conceptual and empirical papers including all aspects of both organizational behavior and human resource management, preferably in an African context, and a comparative analysis of the African context with other parts of the world.
Track Chair: Natasha Winkler-Titus | Email: natashawt@usb.ac.za
Institution: University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
☑️ Open Submissions
⭐ Peer Reviewed
Track 3: Public Policy, Administration and Non-Governmental Organizations
This track encourages conceptual and empirical papers that investigate any aspect of public and non-governmental organizations. The papers may address topics related to any of the following: public governance; public service quality including health administration and management; public management; E-government; public administration and policy; educational leadership; non-governmental organizations; stakeholder engagement; and public-private partnerships.
Track Chair: Jean Kabongo | Email: jkabongo@sar.usf.edu
Institution: University of South Florida Sarasota, USA
☑️ Open Submissions
⭐ Peer Reviewed
Track 4: Strategy and International Management
The Strategy and International Management track welcomes conceptual and empirical papers that focus on all areas of strategy and international management in an African context both in the private and public sector; and a comparative analysis of the African environment with other regions of the world. Papers focusing on supply chain management and technology strategy should also be submitted to this track.
Track Chair: Tahiru Liedong | Email:T.A.Liedong@bath.ac.uk
Institution: University of Bath, UK
☑️ Open Submissions
⭐ Peer Reviewed
Track 5: Social Issues in Management
The Social Issues in Management track explores the extent to which management research can be used to address social issues, such as poverty, inequality, healthcare, armed conflict, disputes, sustainable development, and child labor in the African context. We also examine how social issues can integrate the management of ‘unrealistic’ expectations from different social groups including unions, students and teachers.
Track Chair: Kaoutar Jamai | Email: kjamai@esca.ma
Institution: ESCA Ecole de Management
☑️ Open Submissions
⭐ Peer Reviewed
Track 6: Sustainability and Green Management
The Sustainability and Green Management track welcomes conceptual and empirical papers that focus on all areas of sustainability – economic, social, and environmental – in an African context both in the private and public sector. Studies that compare the African context with other regions in the world are also welcome.
Track Chair: Moataz Darwish | Email: moataz.darwish@aucegypt.edu
Institution: American University in Cairo, Egypt
☑️ Open Submissions
⭐ Peer Reviewed
Track 7: PDW/Caucus/Symposia
Submissions can either be a proposal for a structured discussion on a topic of common interest, or a workshop aimed at providing a forum through which conference participants can engage with each other. PDW sessions will not appear in the proceedings. Submissions should describe the activities, goals, and time/equipment required.
Track Chair: Lilian Otaye-Ebede | Email: l.e.otaye@liverpool.ac.uk
Institution: University of Liverpool, UK
Track Chair: Loliya Kagher | Email: loliya.kagher@abdn.ac.uk
Institution: University of Aberdeen, UK
☑️ Open Submissions
⭐ Peer Reviewed
Track 8: Management Practice
The Management Practice track welcomes submissions that report or reflect on management practices implemented in Africa-based organizations. Submissions can be evidence-based studies that describe these practices, their implementation, and highlight critical success factors. The objective is to stimulate conversations regarding how to enhance effectiveness of implementing management practices as well as knowledge transfer.
Track Chair: Hicham Nachit | Email: hnachit@esca.ma
Institution: ESCA Ecole de Management
☑️ Open Submissions
⭐ Peer Reviewed
Track 9: Teaching and Learning
The T&L track welcomes submissions about business schools and business school education in Africa. Macro-level submissions might look at the role of the business school e.g., how do business schools contribute to dignity, justice, and prosperity in Africa? At the micro level, the focus is more on curriculum design and delivery either across courses in an African degree program or in individual courses taught at an African business school. Curricular topics could include student engagement, educational technology, learning materials, learning objectives, learning activities, and learning assessment, inclusive education, academic integrity/dishonesty, and so on. Submissions can be conceptual papers, empirical papers or work-in-progress papers and preliminary proposals for teaching/learning research for which you would like friendly feedback to help move the work forward.
Track Chair: Frances Tuer | Email: tuerfl@mcmaster.ca
Institution: McMaster University
Track Chair: Grace Abban-Ampiah | Email: ampiah@gimapa.edu.gh
Institution: Ghana Institute of Public Administration
☑️ Open Submissions
⭐ Peer Reviewed
Track 10: Doctoral Consortium & Junior Faculty Consortium
These consortia, which will be held on 7th January 2024, are designed to provide ideas, tools, and strategies to be successful in academia by drawing upon the experiences of renowned senior faculty colleagues. Sessions will be structured as roundtable discussions to facilitate additional development and coaching. This is also an excellent way for doctoral students and junior faculty members to become involved in AFAM. These sessions will not appear in the proceedings. Queries about the consortium should be sent to Hermann Ndofor or Michael Holmes
Track Chair: Michael Holmes| Email: mholmes@business.fsu.edu
Institution: Florida State University
Track Chair: Hermann Ndofor | Email: mholmes@business.fsu.edu
Institution: Indiana University
☑️ Open Submissions
⭐ Peer Reviewed
Track 11: All Academy Poster Session
Extended abstracts of empirical and conceptual papers which align with the conference theme will be considered for presentation at the conference. Submissions must not exceed three pages excluding references and appendices.
Track Chair: Samuel Aryee | Email: s.aryee@surrey.ac.uk
Institution: University of Surrey
Track Chair: Sherwat Ibrahim | Email: sherwat@aucegypt.edu
Institution: American University in Cairo
☑️ Open Submissions
⭐ Peer Reviewed
Join Us in Casablanca
Be part of the premier gathering of management scholars and practitioners focused on Africa. Submit your research, connect with colleagues, and contribute to shaping the future of management in Africa.
Submission
Details will be published soon.
Presenter
Details will be published soon.
Guidelines
Details will be published soon.
Reviewers
Details will be published soon.
Registration
Details will be published soon.
Program
Details will be published soon.
Location
Details will be published soon.
JF-DS Consortium
Details will be published soon.
Accommodation
Details will be published soon.
The Africa Academy of Management (AFAM) is a premier association for academics focused on management in Africa, fostering collaboration among scholars in Africa and the Diaspora.
Quick links
Members
© Copyright 2026 by Africa Academy of Management. All rights reserved.