Oxford Africa
Conference 2026
Anchoring Africa:
Grounded Leadership in the Age of Disruption.
Date:
Saturday 16th May 2026
and
Sunday 17th May 2026
Welcome to the Oxford Africa Conference 2026
We are so excited to welcome you to the 16th edition of the Oxford Africa Conference,
hosted at the University of Oxford by the Oxford University Africa Society.
This year’s conference is built around the theme Anchoring Africa: Grounded Leadership in the Age of Disruption. We are meeting at a moment when Africa is navigating fast-moving political, economic, technological, and climate shifts.
Over two days in Oxford, we will bring together people working across policy, business, finance, culture, and academia to share perspectives, challenge assumptions, and learn from one another. We hope the discussions here carry forward well beyond the conference.
With excitement,
The Oxford Africa Conference 2026 Team
Here's how this conference changes the world
Impact
We turn dialogue into action by backing bold ideas to create lasting impact across Africa and the global African community.
Click to learn more
Panels
Grounded Governance:
Public Trust and State Capacity
What does it take to build states that truly serve their people?
This panel confronts the realities of governance in Africa, where public trust is often fragile, yet essential for progress. From institutional reform to political accountability, we examine how trust can be rebuilt, power can be rebalanced, and states can deliver at scale.
Here’s more of what’s in store
Fireside Chats
Hear directly from top leaders in honest, unscripted chats
that go beyond the usual story.
Gala Dinner & The After Party (AfroBop)
Close out the conference with a chance to unwind, meet new people, and enjoy the celebration.
Enjoy an intimate dinner with speakers and delegates in a stunning college venue, where the conversation keeps flowing all night.
The After Party (AfroBop)
Over the past 16 years, the conference has grown into a vibrant platform, bringing together 1,000+ delegates and 260+ speakers, including 15+ keynote addresses from heads of state, for over 100 hours of engaging conversations on Africa’s key opportunities and challenges.
It has also driven tangible impact, with £30,000+ in grants awarded. Behind the scenes, over 300 hours of dedicated effort from Oxford graduate students have gone into curating high-quality workshops and speaker sessions, ensuring that Africa remains at the forefront of meaningful dialogue.
By joining, participants and speakers become part of this growing legacy, driving forward a shared commitment to keeping Africa in focus!
Meet the Speakers
Meet the exceptional leaders, innovators, and changemakers shaping Africa’s future. Through powerful keynotes and conversations, our speakers bring bold ideas, real-world insights, and inspiring perspectives to the Oxford Africa Conference 2026.
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Guess the Moderators
Stay tuned as we get ready to unveil an exceptional lineup of moderators for this year’s Oxford Africa Conference. Bringing together dynamic voices from across disciplines and regions, our moderators will help guide the conversations that shape the future of the continent. The full announcement is coming soon — you won’t want to miss it.
Accomodation
We are pleased to recommend the following accommodation partners and nearby options for your consideration: the Rhodes Trust, Vanbrugh House Hotel and Courtyard by Marriott Oxford; all conveniently located close to the conference venue. Other accommodation options include The Head of the River, Bear and Ragged Staff and Voco Oxford Spires. Please let us know if you have any preferences or specific requirements we should be mindful of, and we would be happy to advise further.
Flights
We are pleased to announce our partnership with Kenya Airways as the official travel partner for the Oxford Africa Conference 2026. Conference delegates can enjoy an exclusive 15% discount on flights by using the Promo Code OAC26KE
available when booking directly through the Kenya Airways website.
This offer is valid for bookings made from now until 17 May 2026, for travel between 9 May and 24 May 2026. We encourage all delegates travelling to Oxford for the conference to take advantage of this exclusive offer.
Our Partners
