School of Social and Political Science

Description

Africa 2026: Prospects and Forecasts

Crossroads, Transitions, and Futures

The year 2026 marks a pivotal moment in Africa’s development trajectory. Continental frameworks such as Agenda 2063and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) are shifting from vision to implementation, promising transformative changes in trade, integration, and socio-economic development. At the same time, a wave of national elections across the continent offers opportunities to reverse recent democratic backsliding and redefine governance norms.

Yet, these transitions unfold amid persistent uncertainties. Political stability remains fragile following recent military takeovers in Madagascar and Gabon, alongside the consolidation of presidential power in countries such as Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, and Cameroon. Ongoing crises in Sudan and the repression of youth-led protests further underscore the volatility of governance landscapes. Meanwhile, the contentious outcomes of the Belém Climate Conference have left unresolved questions about adaptation and financing strategies for Africa, even as climate risks intensify across the continent.

Added to these challenges are the disruptive forces of digital transformation, evolving geopolitical alignments, and the urgent need for inclusive governance reforms. These dynamics demand critical reflection and collaborative action.

Africa Insight 2026 seeks to convene an interdisciplinary dialogue to interrogate these transitions and explore their implications for Africa’s future. The objective is to provide the audience with an overview of key challenges and opportunities ahead in 2026, and to engage in a discussion among speakers and with a knowledgeable audience.

The event is jointly organised by the Centre of African Studies (CAS) at the University of Edinburgh and the Royal African Society. It is a yearly flagship event for those interested in Africa in the UK and beyond, going back over a decade. As in previous editions, the event will be a celebration of the richness of the continent and a unique opportunity to connect with scholars and professionals.

Discussed Themes and Speakers:

• Guest Speaker: Ms Razia Khan, Chief Economist & Head of Research, Middle East & Africa, Standard Chartered Bank
• Governance, Democratic Resilience: Protests and Everyday Resistance
  Afolabi Adekaiyaoja – writer, researcher and political analyst
• Climate Futures: Finding Africa’s Voice in Global Climate Governance
  Dr Karishma Ansaram, Lecturer in Climate Finance and Investment at the University of Edinburgh Business School
• Developments in health and infectious diseases in Africa
  Professor Mark Woolhouse, Director, Tackling Infections to Benefit Africa, University of Edinburgh

Facilitator: Dr Francisca A. Adom-Opare, Centre of African Studies

**Please register your attendance via Eventbrite**

The event will be held in a hybrid format, with all speakers attending in person. Registered participants will receive an email via Eventbrite with the Zoom login details.

Schedule:

15.30. Registration

16.00-16.05. Welcome (CAS & RAS)

16.05-16.20. Introductory reflections (RAS guest)

16.20-16h35. Reflections/talk (speaker 2)

16.35-16h50. Reflections/talk (speaker 3)

16.50-17h05. Reflections/talk (speaker 4)

17.05-17h15. Short break

17.15-18h00. Panel discussion

18h00- 20h00. Refreshments/networking in the Chrystal Macmillan Foyer

Speakers Bio

Afolabi Adekaiyaoja is a researcher and writer on the politics of policy, institutions and governance, as well as African geopolitics. His recent roles include a predoctoral research fellowship on taxation and traditional institutions in Sierra Leone and a research analyst position at the Abuja-based Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD West Africa). His research has focused on democracy and development in West African countries, as well as the strength of regional and international organisations. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Africa and International Development at the University of Edinburgh. He has degrees in International Relations and African Politics from Queen Mary, University of London and SOAS, respectively. He is currently enrolled in the MSc Africa and International Development at the University of Edinburgh.

Dr Karishma Ansaram is Lecturer in Climate Finance and Investment at the University of Edinburgh Business School with a research focus on enhancing access to climate finance for the local community. She brings her experience on IFI reforms and climate finance policy through her former role with International Climate Politics Hub and UN High Level Champions. She has been a research fellow on NDC Financing in Africa with ARIN (Kenya) and Frankfurt School of Finance and Management (Germany). She actively participates as an Observer to UNFCCC Climate Finance Negotiations at COPs, previous through YOUNGO and now through RINGO (Research Constituency).

Mark Woolhouse is Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at the University of Edinburgh. He studied biology at the Universities of Oxford and York and Queen’s in Canada, then held Research Fellowships at the University of Zimbabwe, Imperial College London and Oxford, before moving to Edinburgh in 1997. He was awarded an OBE in 2002 and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Academy of Medical Sciences and the African Academy of Sciences. He is the Director of TIBA, a partnership between health researchers in Edinburgh and ten countries across Africa. TIBA conducts global health research, implementation studies and advocacy work aimed at reducing the burden and threat of infectious diseases in Africa by informing health policy and strengthening health systems. The partnership works extensively with national governments, the World Health Organization and the African Union.

Dr Francisca A. Adom-Opare is a Research Fellow at the Centre of African Studies, University of Edinburgh, and an affiliate of the Edinburgh Futures Institute and Edinburgh Centre for Data, Culture & Society. She is also an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Her scholarship sits at the nexus of disability, gender, intersectionality, development, data, health, and environmental justice, advancing new ways of understanding inequality across African contexts. With over 15 years of experience in international development across Africa and the UK, she has collaborated with global and local institutions including the World Bank, ACDI/VOCA, the Mastercard Foundation, the Scottish Government, and a range of governmental and civil-society partners. She brings a strong interdisciplinary grounding and a transnational intellectual trajectory. Francisca holds a PhD in African Studies from the University of Edinburgh, an MPhil in Development Studies from the University of Cambridge, and a BSc (Hons) in Development Planning from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

Razia Khan (Guest Speaker) is the Head of Research and Chief Economist in Africa & Middle East, Standard Chartered Bank. Razia has over two decades of experience covering emerging and frontier markets. She is a well-known commentator on Africa and the Middle East and provides regular updates to central banks, finance ministries, institutional investors and corporates in the region. Razia previously served as a trustee of Save the Children UK (2019-25). She also served on South Africa’s Presidential Economic Advisory Council (2022-24) and as a trustee of the Royal Africa Society (2012-24). She received the African Banker Icon Award 2024 for her contribution to macroeconomic research, and was named one of the ‘100 most influential Africans’ by New African magazine (2015). Razia holds BSc and MSc (Econ) degrees from the London School of Economics.