The 9 Thematic Tracks

We are seeking speakers who can move beyond theory to share proven frameworks, successful & unsuccessful case studies, and scalable models. When submitting your talk, please align your proposal with one of the following tracks and address the recommended focus areas:

1. Governance & Society

Focus: Public policy, security, peace, justice, and digital rights. 

This track will explore the intersection of civic tech, human rights, national security, and modern defense infrastructure.

2. Digital Frontiers

Focus: AI, data, telecoms, blockchain, and open source. Mapping the architecture of Africa’s digital tomorrow, focusing on open-source interoperability, broadband connectivity, and building resilient digital public goods.

3. Planet & Resources

Focus: Minerals, oil & gas, climate action, and agricultural systems. 

This track addresses the sustainable management of Africa’s natural wealth, Bridging the gap between high-level resource extraction and grassroots survival. We will examine how mining and energy policies affect local communities, how agricultural systems can secure food sovereignty, and the stark climate realities facing different African regions.

4. Mobility, Aviation & Logistics

Focus: Aviation, supply chain, and smart urban infrastructure. 

A deep dive into modernizing supply chains, airspace interoperability, EV mobility, and IoT infrastructure tailored for rapid urbanization. Transport and aviation officials can present their roadmaps for airspace interoperability, upcoming public transit overhauls, and how businesses can navigate the evolving logistics landscape.

5. Economic Transformation

Focus: AfCFTA, Macro-Fiscal Policy, and Regional Trade Mechanics, the digital economy, and industrialization. 

Fueling the continent's economic engine, covering the AfCFTA, fintech interoperability, and policies driving modern industrialization. Moving beyond startup valuations to discuss the macro-economic policies driving wealth. This track connects fiscal policy with fintech interoperability and examines the daily realities of informal cross-border traders.

6. Health, Environment & Sanitation

Focus: Resilient health systems, water, sanitation, tele-medicine, bio-innovation and manufacturing. 

This track bridges the gap between high-level policy and the reality of clinical care. We go beyond public health preparedness to explore the future of medical practice in Africa; from maternal health and surgical advancements to specialized care delivery and tele-medicine. Are there critical environmental gaps in water, sanitation, and waste management that form the foundation of a healthy society?

7. Innovation, Enterprise & The Real Economy

Focus: Startups, Finance (venture capital & Grant Preparedness), Export-Ready Production, Industrial Scaling, MSMEs, the blue-collar informal sector, and maritime innovation. 

Empowering the continent's diverse builders. This track bridges high-growth tech funding (VC and startups) with the foundational economy (MSMEs and the blue-collar/informal sector). It also explores the massive entrepreneurial potential of Africa's Blue Economy, driving innovation in maritime trade, coastal resources, and sustainable fisheries.

8. Human Capital & Cultural Continuity

Focus: Research, education, talent, history, and the future of work. 

Preparing the next generation while protecting our heritage. This track explores how Africa can update archaic curricula across all levels of education, the use of EdTech to combat brain drain, and the critical policy needed to preserve African languages and history. It also explores the holistic future of learning; bridging modern EdTech, upskilling, and remote work policies with the vital preservation of African languages, indigenous knowledge systems, and historical education..

9. Africa's Soft Power

Focus: Tourism, real estate, hospitality, content creation, and the marketability of the continent. 

The business of culture is heavily dictated by borders and policy. This track focuses on the monumental business of African culture and the real-world infrastructure of the tourism and hospitality sectors as standalone economic drivers. What are the realities of restrictive intra-African visa policies, the lack of infrastructure at heritage sites, and how can Africa empower her creative economy? It explores everything from eco-tourism, cultural heritage, and physical hospitality investments to leveraging the creator economy and modern branding to market the continent globally.

Mandatory CFP Dimension: Interoperability and Systems Integration

To ensure all sessions drive the summit's mission forward, all submitters must answer the following set of questions within the Sessionize platform. Submissions missing these details will not be evaluated:

• What systems (technological, governmental, or social) does your proposed solution or policy connect?
• Does this concept scale across different African countries or regions? If so, how?
• How does your proposal integrate the public, informal, and private sectors?

Speaker Checklist 

• Evidence-Based: Talks must move beyond general commentary; as much as possible please include data, case studies, or proof-of-concept.
• Actionable Takeaways: Every talk should conclude with 3 concrete steps or lessons that attendees can implement in their own countries or businesses.
• Interoperability Focus: How does your work connect with other sectors (e.g., how does your medical innovation integrate with national digital policy)?
• Format: Submissions are open for Keynotes (30 mins), Panel Discussions (50 mins), or "Workshop Labs" (90 mins of interactive training).

Evaluation & Scoring Rubric (100 Points Total)

Our organizing committee will blindly evaluate submissions based on a rigorous 100-point scoring system:

• Interoperability & Scalability (40 Points): How well does the proposal bridge different technology stacks, integrate public, private, and informal sectors, or scale across regional borders?
• Actionable Insights (35 Points): Will attendees leave with practical knowledge, concrete policy recommendations, or new technical skills to implement immediately
• Originality (25 Points): Priority is given to fresh case studies, unreleased research, or unique perspectives on existing structural challenges.