We encourage you to propose a contribution in one of the formats listed below.Deadline for abstract submission is 14 July 2023

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents significant business opportunities and entrepreneurship prospects for businesses operating within Africa. The AfCFTA aims to create a single market for goods and services, enhance intra-African trade, and promote economic integration across the continent. As trade barriers are reduced and tariff barriers are eliminated, businesses can benefit from increased market access, expanded customer base, and improved economies of scale. Entrepreneurs can capitalize on these opportunities by identifying new markets, developing cross-border supply chains, and establishing strategic partnerships with businesses in other African countries. Topics be discussed may include but are not limited to market opportunities and growth potential within the AfCFTA, strategies for identifying and capitalizing on business opportunities in the AfCFTA; Case studies of successful entrepreneurs in the AfCFTA, challenges and considerations for entrepreneurship in the AfCFTA.

Women and youth entrepreneurship play a crucial role in driving economic growth, reducing poverty, and promoting gender equality in Africa. The empowerment of women and youth in trade and entrepreneurship can lead to job creation, income generation, and the overall socio-economic development of the continent. However, women and youth entrepreneurs often face unique challenges, including limited access to finance, lack of business skills, and societal barriers. It is essential to address these barriers and create an enabling environment that supports and promotes women and youth entrepreneurship in Africa. Topics to be covered include importance and impact of women and youth entrepreneurship in Africa, challenges faced by women and youth entrepreneurs in Africa; strategies for promoting and supporting women and youth entrepreneurship; Case studies of successful women and youth entrepreneurs in Africa; Policy and institutional frameworks for empowering women and youth in trade and entrepreneurship.

International entrepreneurship involves the identification and exploitation of entrepreneurial opportunities across national borders. It entails creating and managing ventures that operate in multiple countries, leveraging global resources, markets, and networks. Cross-border value creation refers to the generation of economic, social, or cultural value through international entrepreneurial activities. International entrepreneurs play a vital role in driving innovation, economic growth, and knowledge exchange. They navigate the complexities of global markets, adapt to diverse cultural and regulatory environments, and build networks and partnerships that span borders. Topics to be covered strategies for identifying and pursuing international entrepreneurial opportunities, cross-cultural challenges and considerations in international entrepreneurship, role of technology and globalization in international entrepreneurship and case studies of successful international entrepreneurs.

The concept of entrepreneurial universities emphasizes the role of higher education institutions in fostering innovation, entrepreneurial mindset, and knowledge transfer. Entrepreneurial universities engage in collaborative partnerships with industry, government, and other stakeholders to drive economic development and address societal challenges. Uni-industry collaboration facilitates the transfer of technology, expertise, and resources between academia and industry, leading to the creation of new businesses, job opportunities, and research commercialization. In Africa, entrepreneurial universities and uni-industry collaborations are essential for building innovation ecosystems, supporting entrepreneurship education, and promoting research and development. Topics covered include characteristics and benefits of entrepreneurial universities, models and approaches to uni-industry collaboration in Africa, role of entrepreneurship education in entrepreneurial universities, case studies of successful entrepreneurial universities and uni-industry collaborations in Africa, policy and funding mechanisms to support entrepreneurial universities in Africa.

Digital and technological entrepreneurship refers to the creation and growth of businesses that leverage digital technologies, innovation, and the internet. In the era of digital transformation, entrepreneurial ventures in areas such as e-commerce, software development, artificial intelligence, and fintech have gained prominence. Digital entrepreneurship not only drives economic growth but also has the potential to enhance employability by creating new job opportunities and fostering digital skills development. It is crucial to support aspiring digital entrepreneurs, provide access to digital infrastructure, and promote digital literacy to maximize the benefits of digital and technological entrepreneurship. Topics covered emerging trends and opportunities in digital entrepreneurship, digital skills and capabilities required for digital entrepreneurship, strategies for fostering digital entrepreneurship ecosystems, case studies of successful digital and technological entrepreneurs in Africa.

Achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires the collective efforts of governments, organizations, and individuals. Sustainable business practices play a crucial role in driving progress towards the SDGs. Sustainable business refers to the integration of economic, social, and environmental considerations into business strategies and operations, aiming to create long-term value while minimizing negative impacts. Sustainable business practices contribute to various SDGs, such as eradicating poverty, promoting gender equality, ensuring access to clean energy, and fostering responsible consumption and production. By adopting sustainable practices, businesses can reduce their carbon footprint, conserve natural resources, improve labor conditions, and promote social and economic development within communities. Topics covered include the role of sustainable business practices in achieving the SDGs, sustainable supply chain management and its impact on SDGs, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its contribution to the SDGs, green finance and investment for sustainable development, sustainable business models and innovations, public-private partnerships for sustainable development, measuring and reporting sustainability performance, sustainable consumption and production patterns, social entrepreneurship and its role in addressing social and environmental challenges, collaboration and knowledge-sharing among businesses for SDG achievement.

The circular economy and digital transformation present significant opportunities for sustainable development in Africa. The circular economy aims to decouple economic growth from resource consumption by promoting the reuse, recycling, and repurposing of materials, while digital transformation leverages technology to optimize processes and enhance connectivity. Together, they offer a pathway for African countries to address resource constraints, reduce waste, and foster inclusive economic growth. In Africa, embracing the circular economy can lead to job creation, improved resource efficiency, and enhanced resilience to global market fluctuations. By adopting circular practices, such as waste management systems, product life extension, and eco-design, African nations can reduce their environmental footprint and create new economic opportunities. Furthermore, digital transformation can enhance Africa’s competitiveness by enabling efficient logistics, e-commerce platforms, and digital payment systems. It can also facilitate access to information, education, and healthcare, thereby improving social inclusion and quality of life for citizens. Topics covered include the potential of the circular economy to drive sustainable development in Africa, circular business models and innovation in African industries, policy frameworks and incentives for promoting the circular economy, digitalization and entrepreneurship in Africa, leveraging technology for sustainable agriculture and food systems, e-waste management and opportunities for recycling in Africa, circular economy and job creation in African economies, sustainable manufacturing and industrial processes in Africa, the role of digital platforms in enabling circular practices, circular economy and poverty reduction in African communities.

Social, arts, craft, and cultural entrepreneurship represent a unique intersection between creativity, social impact, and economic sustainability. This form of entrepreneurship emphasizes the creation of businesses that leverage cultural heritage, artistic expression, and community engagement to generate positive social change and economic value. Social entrepreneurship in the arts, crafts, and cultural sectors promotes cultural preservation, fosters local talent, and empowers marginalized communities. It encourages entrepreneurship among artists, artisans, performers, and cultural practitioners, providing them with opportunities to showcase their work, generate income, and contribute to the cultural landscape of their communities. Topics covered include the role of social, arts, craft, and cultural entrepreneurship in community development, cultural preservation and economic sustainability through entrepreneurship, business models and strategies for social entrepreneurs in the arts, collaboration between social entrepreneurs and artists/artisans, cultural tourism and its impact on local economies, social impact investment in the arts and cultural sectors, entrepreneurship education and training for artists and cultural practitioners, empowering marginalized communities through cultural entrepreneurship, technology and innovation in the arts and cultural sectors, policy support and funding mechanisms for social entrepreneurs in the arts.

Technical and vocational training plays a vital role in enhancing employability and driving economic growth in Africa. With a rapidly growing population and evolving job market, equipping individuals with relevant skills and competencies is essential for addressing unemployment, promoting entrepreneurship, and meeting the demands of a changing economy. Technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programs provide practical skills and knowledge in various sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and information technology. By offering hands-on training and industry-relevant curricula, TVET institutions bridge the gap between education and the labor market, preparing individuals for gainful employment or entrepreneurship. Topics covered include the importance of technical and vocational training for economic development in Africa, skill gaps and mismatch between education and industry needs, public-private partnerships in promoting TVET and employability, entrepreneurship education and support for TVET graduates, innovations in TVET delivery and online learning platforms, quality assurance and accreditation of TVET programmes, gender inclusivity in technical and vocational training, industry engagement and collaboration with TVET institutions, apprenticeships and work-integrated learning in TVET, government policies and investments in TVET for youth employment.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a landmark initiative aimed at promoting intra-African trade, boosting economic integration, and driving sustainable development across the continent. While AfCFTA presents significant opportunities for African economies, its implementation also entails various challenges that need to be addressed. Some of the key challenges include, first, enhancing customs procedures, reducing non-tariff barriers, and harmonizing regulations to facilitate the movement of goods and services across borders. Next, improving transport networks, energy access, and digital connectivity to support trade flows and integration. Furthermore, enhancing the skills and capabilities of businesses, entrepreneurs, and government officials to navigate the complexities of regional trade and take advantage of new market opportunities. Also, addressing disparities in economic development and ensuring equitable access to markets for all African countries, particularly smaller economies. Moreover, there is also the issue of establishing clear rules and procedures to determine the origin of goods, preventing potential abuse and ensuring that preferential trade benefits are appropriately granted. Also there is the issue of strengthening regional institutions and mechanisms for trade dispute resolution, policy coordination, and monitoring to ensure effective implementation and enforcement of AfCFTA provisions. Addressing specific challenges in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and services, including market competition, quality standards, and regulatory harmonization. Topics covered include the potential benefits and opportunities of AfCFTA for African economies, overcoming challenges in implementing AfCFTA, the role of regional integration in driving economic growth in Africa, trade facilitation and reducing non-tariff barriers in intra-African trade, infrastructure development and connectivity for trade expansion, capacity building and entrepreneurship support for AfCFTA implementation, financing mechanisms for infrastructure and trade-related projects, addressing market access disparities among African countries, rules of origin and their impact on trade under AfCFTA, sector-specific challenges and opportunities in the AfCFTA context.