66TH Conference Concept Note and Abstract Submission Guidelines

66^th ANNUAL CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT

8-11 September 2025

Venue: Abuja Continental Hotel

Conference Theme: Rethinking Africa’s Development: Pathways to Economic Transformation and Social Inclusion in a Changing Global Economic Landscape

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

Background

Africa is at a critical juncture in its development trajectory. Despite significant progress in recent years, the continent still faces numerous challenges, including poverty, inequality and limited economic opportunities. To address these challenges, it is essential to rethink Africa’s development paradigm and explore new pathways to economic transformation and social inclusion.

Rethinking Africa’s development is crucial for achieving economic transformation and social inclusion. By shifting away from aid and towards investment, diversifying and industrialising economies, regional integration and cooperation and promoting inclusive and sustainable growth, Africa can unlock its full potential and achieve prosperity for all.

Several pathways can help Africa achieve economic transformation and social inclusion, such as agricultural transformation, infrastructure development, human capital development, innovation, and entrepreneurship.  Given these challenges and opportunities, there is a need for a comprehensive and coordinated approach to address the pathways to economic transformation and social inclusion in Africa from broader perspectives and approaches. This requires collaboration among policymakers, researchers, practitioners, and other stakeholders to identify critical imperatives and develop strategies for sustainable and socially inclusive Africa. A conference focused on these objectives can provide platforms for knowledge sharing, collaboration, and generating actionable insights to drive pathways to economic development in Africa.

Conference Theme

The 2025 Conference, the 66^th in the series, seeks to discuss rethinking ‘Africa’s Development: Pathways to Economic Transformation and Social Inclusion in a Changing Global Landscape’ to provide broader and elaborate insights and recommendations for addressing the issues. Rethinking Africa’s development: Pathways to economic transformation and social inclusion is a critical consideration for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners. Addressing these issues requires concerted efforts from all stakeholders to create a sustainable and inclusive development pathway for Africa. This concept note aims to provide a platform for further exploration and discussion on this important topic at the NES conference.

 Conference Objectives

The conference objectives to rethink Africa’s development paradigm to economic transformation and social inclusion in a Changing Global Landscape in Africa may include exploring and discussing the key important issues for economic transformation in Africa, including economic diversification, macroeconomic stability and policy innovation, Africa in the global development agenda, human capital and social inclusion (including migration and population dynamics), infrastructure development, and democratic dividends. It will further discuss the roles of social sciences in policy formulation and implementation in Africa, social sciences and the future of Africa’s development, particularly in relation to sectorial development, governance and institutional strengthening, poverty reduction, social inclusion/protection, energy transition, climate change, and environmental sustainability.

Furthermore, the conference aims to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing Africa’s development, identify potential solutions, and provide pathways to economic transformation and social inclusion in a changing global economic landscape that affects Africa's economy, quality of life, and international competitiveness. It will offer insights and recommendations for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners on addressing the challenges and opportunities related to development in Africa. The conference aims to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders, researchers and practitioners to enhance sustainable and inclusive development in Africa.

Sub-Themes

The conference will provide a holistic framework for addressing Africa’s unique challenges and opportunities. The discussions will be structured around the following sub-themes:

1. Africa in the Global Development Agenda

• Implications of Global Influence on Africa’s Development Agenda
• Aligning Africa’s development strategies with global sustainability goals, including the UN SDGs.
• Leveraging international partnerships to advance Africa’s development objectives.

2. Macroeconomic Stability and Policy Innovation

• Fiscal and monetary policies for resilience and growth in volatile markets.
• Strategies for debt sustainability and development financing in African economies.
• The role of central banks in promoting inclusive economic growth.

3. Human Capital and Social Inclusion

• Unlocking the potential of education, healthcare, and social safety nets.
• Addressing gender inequality and empowering Africa’s youth for economic transformation.
• Tackling poverty and inequality through inclusive development policies.

4. Transforming Africa’s Productive Economy

• Industrialisation and value-chain development for economic diversification.
• Leveraging technology and innovation to boost productivity and competitiveness.
• Revitalising agriculture and ensuring food security through sustainable practices.

5. Governance and Institutional Strengthening

• Enhancing governance systems for transparency, accountability, and development impact.
• Combating corruption and improving public sector performance.
• Strengthening local governance and decentralization for grassroots development.

6. Regional Integration and Trade

• The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a driver of regional transformation.
• Addressing barriers to intra-African trade and promoting regional value chains.
• Infrastructure development as a catalyst for regional connectivity and growth.

7. Financing Africa’s Development

• Innovative financing mechanisms, including diaspora bonds, impact investing, and green finance.
• Mobilising domestic resources for sustainable development.
• Strengthening Africa’s position in global financial markets.

8. Climate Change, Energy Transition, and Sustainable Development

• Mitigating the socio-economic impacts of climate change on African communities.
• Unlocking the potential of renewable energy for sustainable growth.
• Promoting resilient urbanisation and sustainable infrastructure development.

9.   Social Sciences and the Future of Africa’s Development:

o    Understanding cultural, historical, and behavioural drivers of economic and social change

o    Leveraging anthropology, sociology, and political science to address societal challenges

o    Exploring the nexus between culture, governance, and economic transformation

10. The Role of Social Sciences in Policy Formulation and Implementation:

• Integrating interdisciplinary research into Africa’s policymaking process
• Addressing urbanisation, migration, and societal change through evidence-based strategies
• The impact of behavioural economics on Africa’s development goals

11.  Agricultural Transformation and Food Security

·       Agricultural value chain development and mitigating post-harvest losses

·       Land Reforms, agricultural productivity and rural development

 12.  Infrastructure Development and industrialisation

·       Exploring strategies for addressing deficiencies in transport, energy, and digital infrastructure to catalyse industrialisation

·       Public-Private Partnerships in Infrastructure Financing: Pathways to Industrial Competitiveness

13. Innovation and Entrepreneurship for economic development

·       Empowering Entrepreneurs: Leveraging Technology and Skills for Inclusive Growth

·       Policies and practices to nurture innovation ecosystems that drive economic diversification and productivity

Apart from these sub-themes, Special Sessions and Side Events by individuals and organisations within the central objectives of the conference are highly welcome. In particular, disciplines in economics, such as trade, energy, health, maritime, modellers, public sector, monetary, and so on, are encouraged to organise special sessions. Such Special Sessions and Side Events should include descriptions, objectives, presenters and the modalities for consideration via conferences@nigerianeconomicsociety.org.ng  with the subject line NES 2025 Conference Special Session).

Format of the Conference

The conference is designed to feature many activities. There will be keynote and plenary sessions with lead paper presentations, discussions, and specialised concurrent paper presentation sessions. It would also include breakfast sessions with the private sector, public agencies and international development partners. Some stakeholders include the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, National Assembly, Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), NDIC, Development Bank of Nigeria, NNPC, Commercial Banks, Insurance companies, among others, will engage in policy round table discussions on different aspects of the conference.

Other interesting features of the Conference include opportunities for institutions, groups, and individuals to organise special sessions, induction for new NES members, and social events (gala and cultural night). The conference would also provide opportunities for employers to interface with final-year and graduate students across Nigerian universities.

Submission Guidelines

We invite authors to submit Abstracts and panel sessions on any of the above sub-themes. The abstract should be in standard MS Word and not be more than 700 words long, in Times New Roman font, 12 fonts, double line spacing. The submission should include the following in the order of listing: title of the research paper, sub-theme number, the names of author(s) and affiliations, JEL classification codes, overview, research objectives, and research hypothesis (where applicable), method of analysis, data sources, expected results, and references. Other required information is the corresponding author's email address and phone number (for jointly authored papers). Please note that any submission that does not adhere STRICTLY to these submission guidelines will not be considered.

Apart from individual abstracts, panel session proposals on topics relevant to the conference themes are invited. Such proposals should include a session title, a brief description of the session (maximum 150 words), and concept notes of each proposed presentation (an average of 3 with about 500 words, including details of the speakers and presentation papers).

Publication Opportunities

High-quality peer-reviewed papers will be considered for publication in the Nigerian Journal of Economic and Social Studies (NJESS), the flagship publication of the Nigerian Economic Society, established in 1959. Other accepted peer-reviewed papers will be considered for the 2025 Conference Proceedings.

Important Deadlines

Deadline for submission of Abstracts: 30 April 2025

Notification of acceptance of Abstracts: 15 May 2025

Deadline for submission of full papers: 30 June 2025

Notification of acceptance of papers: 15 July 2025

The Abstract should be submitted electronically to (https://forms.gle/mn8JW8jtj39uZMkx6) For further information, please visit our website: https://www.nigerianeconomicsociety.org.ng or email conferences@nigerianeconomicsociety.org.ng with the subject line NES 2025 Conference.

Conference Fees

NES Members

₦ 50,000 for early Registration before June 30, 2025

₦ 55,000 for late Registration after July 31, 2025

₦ 60,000 for registration at the conference

Non-NES Members

₦ 55,000 for early Registration before June 30, 2025

₦ 60,000 for late Registration after July 31, 2025

₦ 65,000 for registration at the conference

Postgraduate Students

₦ 40,000 for early Registration before June 30, 2025

₦ 45,000 for late Registration after July 31, 2025

NESA Members

₦ 25,000 for early Registration before June 30, 2025

₦ 35,000 for late Registration after July 31, 2025

NES Bank Account Number:

Bank: First Bank Plc

Account Number: 2000040301

Account Name: The Nigerian Economic Society

Please forward the evidence of payment to account@nigerianeconomicsociety.org.ng (and copy conferences@nigerianeconomicsociety.org.ng). The conference fee covers conference materials, tea and lunch breaks during the conference days.

Membership/Annual Subscription

Membership Fees with effect from January 2024

For more information on the Nigerian Economic Society, visit https://www.nigerianeconomicsociety.org.ng