African Futures

13/10/2026

African Futures Conference 2026 | Day 1

From conversations to connections, Day 1 of the third African Futures Conference has come to a close in Pretoria.

Building on the morning's discussions, the afternoon programme turned to Shaping Futures, exploring how foresight, evidence and collective action can help inform the decisions shaping Africa's future.

The day concluded with closing remarks, followed by a networking reception and the launch of Jakkie Cilliers' book, Africa Tomorrow.

A look at some of the moments that brought the first day together, as we continue the conversation online tomorrow.

13/10/2026

African Futures Conference 2026 | Day 1

A glimpse into the first half of the third African Futures Conference, taking place today at the CSIR International Convention Centre in Pretoria.

Under the theme From Data to Decisions, the conference has brought together policymakers, researchers, development practitioners and futures thinkers to examine the trends shaping Africa's future and explore alternative pathways for the continent.

The morning programme featured the opening proceedings, followed by sessions on Understanding Trends and Exploring Alternatives, setting the stage for an afternoon focused on shaping futures.

More moments from Day 1 to follow.

11/10/2026

3 DAYS TO GO | African Futures Conference 2026

How can we move from understanding Africa's future to actively shaping it?

On 14 October, Day 2 of the 3rd African Futures Conference shifts the focus from high-level dialogue to practical learning, bringing together researchers, policymakers and foresight practitioners for a fully online programme.

Through interactive presentations, lightning talks, demonstrations and hands-on FuturesLabs, participants will explore how evidence and foresight can inform decisions on Africa's development trajectories, climate mobility, regional security, governance and long-term policy choices.

From reading emerging trends and exploring alternative futures to stress-testing strategies and making decisions under uncertainty, Day 2 is designed to turn foresight into practical action.

14 October 2026 | 09:00–17:00 (GMT+2) | Fully online

Explore the programme and register: https://africanfuturesconference.online/

10/10/2026

From intent to practice: what will the future of African–European cooperation require?

This Monday, 12 October, the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) and its partners bring together policymakers, diplomats, industry leaders and researchers for The Future of African–European Relations: From intent to practice.

Across an opening conversation and three thematic panels, participants will examine the opportunities, tensions and trade-offs defining cooperation between Africa and Europe.

The discussions will explore:

South–North cooperation: Jobs, security and opportunities, with Ashor Sarupen, H.E. Kristian Schmidt and Stefan Mair, moderated by Ottilia Maunganidze.

Critical minerals and energy: Moving beyond extraction towards more equitable partnerships, with Cobus van Staden, Sabine Dall'Omo, Mzila Mthenjane and Menzi Ndhlovu, moderated by Jonathan Kaupenjohann.

Migration and mobility: Balancing border security with legal mobility, with Linda Lochner and Michael Masiapato, moderated by Hanns Bühler.

Strategic partnership: Navigating competing interests, trade-offs and the practical requirements for delivery, with Jakkie Cilliers, Mamokete Lijane and Benedikt Erforth, moderated by Priyal Singh.

Swipe through to explore the programme and meet the speakers.

12 October 2026 | 09:00–16:00 SAST
ISS Pretoria + online

Register: https://futures.issafrica.org/events/2026/The-future-of-AfricanEuropean-relations-from-intent-to-practice

09/10/2026

Keynote speaker | Ronald Lamola

As Africa and Europe navigate shifting geopolitical dynamics, what will it take to translate shared ambitions into practical cooperation?

South Africa's Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, will deliver the keynote address at The Future of African–European Relations: From intent to practice.

12 October 2026 | Keynote at 09:45 SAST
ISS Pretoria + online
Register: https://futures.issafrica.org/events/2026/The-future-of-AfricanEuropean-relations-from-intent-to-practice

09/10/2026

5 days to go | 3rd African Futures Conference 2026

On 13 October, the African Futures Conference brings together policymakers, researchers, development practitioners and emerging changemakers for a day of high-level dialogue on the choices shaping Africa's future.

Under the theme From Data to Decisions: Understanding Trends. Exploring Alternatives. Shaping Futures., Day 1 will examine where current trends are taking the continent, what could change its trajectory, and how preferred futures can be translated into strategic choices.

The programme brings together an exceptional lineup of speakers and contributors:

Welcome & Opening Keynote
Ottilia Anna Maunganidze and H.E. Nardos Bekele-Thomas will deliver the welcome remarks, followed by Nelson Muffuh's keynote address on Africa's Future.

Session 1 | Understanding Trends
Moderated by Ottilia Anna Maunganidze, with a presentation by Dr Jakkie Cilliers and contributions from Peter Engbo Rasmussen, Amit Jain and Koffi M Kouakou.

Session 2 | Exploring Alternatives
Moderated by Bronwyn Williams, with Trish J Lavery PhD, TK Pooe PhD and Professor Adrian Saville.

Session 3 | Shaping Futures
Moderated by Dr Njeri Mwagiru, with Teddy Kabunda, Jacques Morisset and Young Changemakers Elijah Koome and Ndum Charlotte Ayeah.

Closing & Book Launch
Dr Paul-Simon Handy will deliver the closing remarks, followed by the launch of Africa's Road to Prosperity: 10 Things to Know, featuring Dr Jakkie Cilliers in conversation with Dr Ayanda Ntsaluba.

13 October 2026 | CSIR ICC, Pretoria + livestream
In-person attendance is by invitation only.

Join the conversation online by registering at: https://lnkd.in/eZHQ33Yk

07/10/2026

Africa–Europe relations are changing. How can shared ambitions translate into partnerships that deliver?

Join us for The Future of African–European Relations: From intent to practice, the capstone event of a year-long initiative exploring how Africa and Europe can build stronger, more effective partnerships amid a shifting global order. Bringing together voices from government, diplomacy, industry and research, the event will examine some of the issues reshaping relations between the two regions, from critical minerals and energy to migration and mobility, strategic interests and the trade-offs needed to move from ambition to delivery.

12 October 2026
09:30–16:00 SAST (UTC+2)
Institute for Security Studies, Pretoria
Hybrid | In person + online
Register to attend: https://futures.issafrica.org/events/2026/The-future-of-AfricanEuropean-relations-from-intent-to-practice

The event is co-hosted by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF), Federation of German Industries (BDI) and Megatrends Afrika.

06/10/2026

𝟳 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼 | 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗲𝘆𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲

The countdown to the 3rd African Futures Conference is on.

We are pleased to welcome Nelson Muffuh, United Nations Resident Coordinator in South Africa, who will deliver the opening keynote address, “Africa’s Future,” on 13 October. His address will open a day of high-level dialogue examining where Africa’s current trajectory is taking us, what could alter that path, and the strategic choices needed to shape more prosperous, inclusive and resilient futures.

Join us online on 13–14 October 2026 as policymakers, researchers, practitioners, development partners and emerging voices come together to move from data to decisions.

7 days to go. Register to attend:
https://africanfuturesconference.online/index.html

06/10/2026

Is Iran America’s Suez moment?

Military superiority does not always translate into political power.

The war with Iran is testing the limits of US influence at a time when the global order is already becoming more contested. For Africa, that shift brings greater exposure to economic and geopolitical shocks but also new opportunities to exercise agency if countries can bargain collectively rather than navigate competing powers alone.

In our latest blog, Jakkie Cilliers draws parallels with the 1956 Suez crisis and examines what a more fragmented global order could mean for Africa’s strategic choices.

Read more: https://futures.issafrica.org/blog/2026/Is-Iran-Americas-Suez-moment

The war with Iran tests the limits of United States power, with implications for Africa’s place in a more contested global order.

05/10/2026

𝟴 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗼 | 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱?

The 3rd African Futures Conference is almost here and our conference page is now live.

Explore the programme ahead of 13–14 October 2026: meet the speakers and Young Changemakers, browse the agenda, explore the online gallery, and discover what’s in store across two days of conversations about Africa’s future. Take a look around, find the sessions you don’t want to miss, and get ready to join us.

Haven’t registered to attend online yet? Register now:
https://africanfuturesconference.online/index.html

Explore the conference:
https://africanfuturesconference.online/

Don't miss out!