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Casablanca, Morocco 2026 Tracks

AFAM 8th Biennial Conference - Casablanca, Morocco 2026.

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.

1992

Established

2017

Official Recognition

2018

AACSB Accredited

#3

Ranked in Africa (2023)

121+

Global Partners

1,100+

Multicultural Students

Accreditation & Recognition

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.

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

Casablanca, Morocco 2026 Tracks

AFAM 8th Biennial Conference - Casablanca, Morocco 2026.

8th Biennial Conference of theAfrica Academy of Management

January 4–7, 2026

Conference Theme

Call for Papers - 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?

Conference Proceedings

Host Institution

ESCA Ecole de Management Casablanca, Morocco

1992

2017

2018

#3

121+

1,100+

Accreditation & Recognition

Join Us in Casablanca

8th Biennial Conference of the
Africa Academy of Management

ESCA Ecole de Management
Casablanca, Morocco