July 1, 2026
1. Background and Rationale
On behalf of the African Trade Group (ATG) of the World Trade Organization Chairs Programme, Prof. Ngozi Egbuna International Centre for Regional Integration and Trade Research (ICRITR) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria is organising an international conference on the theme: “AfCFTA and the Geoeconomics of African States: Integration, Power, and Structural Transformation.”
The African Trade Group (ATG) are members of the WTO Chairs from the following: Benin, Cameroon, Egypt, Kenya, Lesotho, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia. The conference will take place on 9th and 10th November 2026 in Abuja, Nigeria. The Prof. Ngozi Egbuna International Centre for Regional Integration and Trade Research (ICRITR) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Nigeria is the host of the 2026 conference. This conference aims to convene leading scholars, policymakers, private sector stakeholders, and development partners to examine the transformative potential of the African Continental Free Trade Area as a driver of Africa’s economic integration, industrialization, and strategic positioning in the global economy.
The establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) marks a historic milestone in Africa’s economic integration agenda. Beyond trade liberalization, AfCFTA represents a strategic geoeconomic instrument aimed at transforming Africa’s position in the global economy.
In a rapidly evolving global landscape shaped by shifting power dynamics, supply chain reconfigurations, and the rise of regional economic blocs such as the European Union and Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Africa faces both unprecedented opportunities and complex challenges. AfCFTA offers a pathway toward industrialization, enhanced intra-African trade, and greater bargaining power in global trade governance, including within the World Trade Organization.
This conference seeks to bring together scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and development partners to critically examine the geoeconomic implications of AfCFTA for African states.
Important Dates
• Abstract Submission Deadline: Friday, July 31st, 2026
• Notification of Acceptance: Monday, August 31st, 2026
• Full Paper Submission: Friday, September 25th, 2026
• Conference Dates: Monday, November 9th – Tuesday, 10th November, 2026
Click here to download the Complete Call for Papers or here.