AREF Conference 2025
Theme:
The Africa Acceleration: Reinventing Capital, Trade & Infrastructure for Exponential Growth
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Africa is at a critical inflection point. The momentum of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the urgency of closing climate finance gaps, and shifting global trade dynamics demand not mere adaptation, but systemic reinvention. Yet entrenched structural barriers constrain progress:
- • Finance: Over 80% of African SMEs remain excluded from formal credit systems, while diaspora remittances—projected to exceed $100 billion in 2025—are largely untapped as strategic capital.
- • Infrastructure: An annual financing shortfall of $130-$170 billion in energy, transport, and digital systems limits the continent’s ability to unlock AfCFTA’s projected $450 billion income gains.
- • Governance: Despite institutional reforms, resource leakage through inefficient bureaucracies and illicit financial flows—estimated at $88.6 billion annually (UNECA)—continues to undermine transformation efforts.
This year's AREF Conference tackles these systemic constraints directly, exploring how alternative finance, reimagined trade frameworks, scalable infrastructure, and governance innovation can converge to drive structural transformation—not just incremental growth.
We welcome theoretical, empirical, and policy-oriented contributions across, but not limited to the following sub-themes:
(a) Macroeconomic Policy, Financial Systems, and Development
- Macroeconomic Stability & Growth in Africa (Fiscal Policy, Debt Sustainability, Structural Transformation)
- Monetary Policy, Inflation Dynamics & Financial Inclusion
- Financing Africa's Development (Diaspora Bonds, Afrocentric Capital Markets, Metafinance, Astrofinance)
- Digital Finance, Cryptocurrencies & Alternative Payment Systems
- Public-Private Partnerships & Infrastructure Financing
- Economic Planning, Policy Implementation & Institutional Governance
(b) Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness Innovation
- Agricultural Finance & Investment Models for Africa
- Climate-Smart Agribusiness & Risk Management
- Agri-Tech, Digital Platforms & Supply Chain Finance
- Land Tenure Economics & Agricultural Productivity
- Agro-Industrialization & Export Market Strategies
- Gender & Youth Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness
(c) Health Economics & Business of Wellness
- Healthcare Financing & Universal Coverage in Africa
- Economic Models for Traditional Medicine Commercialisation
- Public Health Policy & Private Sector Investment
- Digital Health Innovations & Financial Sustainability
- Ethical Business Practices in Indigenous Medicine
- Pharmaceutical Supply Chains & Local Manufacturing
(d) Indigenous Knowledge Systems & Economic Value Creation
- Indigenous Governance & Business Conflict Resolution
- Cultural Heritage, Tourism & Creative Economy
- Sacred Ecology, Green Finance & Sustainable Business Models
- Traditional Knowledge & Intellectual Property Economics
- Indigenous FinTech & Informal Financial Systems
- • Social Entrepreneurship & Ethical Leadership
(e) International monetary and financial systems
- Sovereign debt restructuring and sustainable development
- Global Financial Architecture and African Development Finance
- Infrastructure, Connectivity, and Trade under AfCFTA
- Exchange Rate Mechanisms and Regional Currency Innovations
- Preferred Creditor Status for African Multilateral Financial Institutions
- Social Entrepreneurship & Ethical Leadership
(f) Philanthropy and Social Investment
- New and Alternative sources of resources for development
- Indigenous forms of giving and African corporate foundations
- Funding mechanisms and instruments for sustainable development
- Social enterprises and impact investing
- Philanthropy & Resource Mobilisation
Conference Format
- Parallel Sessions (Paper Presentations)
- Keynote Lectures and Speeches (Featuring Leading Scholars and Practitioners)
- Round Table Discussions (Interactive Policy and Research Dialogues)
- Policy Dialogues (Engagement with Policymakers and Industry Leaders)
REGISTRATION
Academics/Practitioners
- Before July 31st, 2025: USD 350
- Between August 1st to September 30th, 2025: USD 450
PhD Students
- Before July 31st, 2025: 150
- Between August 1st to September 30th, 2025: 255
- Proof of student registration is required
Virtual Access
- Registration: USD 150
The registration fee covers coffee breaks, lunches and conference material.
PUBLICATION OPPORTUNITIES
Journals
Authors of papers accepted for presentation at the 2025 AREF conference may be invited to submit their papers for consideration in a regular issue of the African Review of Economics and Finance, the Ghanaian Journal of Economics, or the Journal of African Political Economy and Development. The editors of the various journals will directly invite these submissions. Where there are overlapping invitations, the authors can choose where to send their papers.Conference Proceedings
Extended abstracts will be included in an E-proceedings book, complete with an ISBN, and fully compliant with the accreditation standards. Please note that only extended abstracts, rather than full papers, will be published to avoid potential conflicts with future journal submissions.SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE
Gloria Bob-Milliar, University for Development Studies
Lydia Kwoyiga, University for Development Studies
Peterson Owusu Junior, University of Cape Coast
Nana Yaw Wi, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Emmanuel Joel Aikins Abakah, University of Ghana
Amin Karimu, University of Cape Town
Michael Graham, Stellenbosch University
Nana Kwame Akosah, International Monetary Fund
Muazu Ibrahim, World Bank
Edward Nketiah-Amponsah, University of Ghana
Ismail Fasanya, University of the Witwatersrand
Godfred Amewu, University of Ghana
Vida Ogeh Fiador, University of Ghana
Frank Adu, African Centre for Economic Transformation
Yakubu Awudu Sare, Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and integrated Development Studies
Charles Nyaaba, Akuafo Nketua
Nkechi S. Owoo, University of Ghana
Lordina Amoah, University of GhanaENQUIRIES
Emmanuel Joel Aikens Abakah ejaabakah@ug.edu.gh
Godfred Amewu, gamewu@ug.edu.gh
Jones Odei-Mensah, jones.odei-mensah@wits.ac.za
Ismail Fasanya, ismail.fasanya@wits.ac.za
Imhotep Alagidede, ipalagidede@ug.edu.gh and Imhotep.alagidede@wits.ac.za
Organised by:
African Review of Economics and Finance (AREF)
Hosted by:
University of Ghana, Legon
In Collaboration with:
Nile Valley Multiversity, Bank of Ghana, ARUA, Porthologos Press, AFREXIMBAN, Heart of Oceans, Gracecoms, Meta Engineering and Construction, Wits Business School, SDD UBIDS, UDS, NATAV. -
A.K Fosu Prize For Best Paper:
The A.K. Fosu prize will be awarded to recognise high-quality research presented at the annual AREF conference. This highly competitive award will be presented to the author(s) of the paper judged by the editors of AREF to be the best presented at the conference. The A.K Fosu prize was initiated by organisers of the AREF conference to honour the contributions of the great economist and academic leader, Professor Extraordinary Augustin Kwasi Fosu (https://isser.ug.edu.gh/people/prof-augustin-k-fosu).Eligibility:
- • The award is open to young and early career researchers whose single authored paper meets the high standards of publication in the African Review of Economics and Finance. Interested delegates need to apply specifically and indicate whether they want their paper(s) to be considered for the award. The paper must be strictly single authored.
- Papers will be subjected to the usual African Review of Economics and Finance peer review process.
- Papers deemed publishable by the panel of reviewers will be long-listed for the A.K. Fosu Prize Committee.
- The award winner is selected by a vote of all the editors based on the review reports and a further assessment by the editors.
- The award will be presented at the Conference.
Benefits: Recipients are given a $250 honorarium, an award certificate, and the opportunity to develop the paper further for publication in one of the conference journals, plus a three-month mentorship and coaching opportunity with the Nile Valley Multiversity.
To be considered for the Award, check the box of the A.K. Fosu prize or submit your paper directly to Dr. Emmanuel Joel Aikins ABAKAH, email: ejaabakah@ug.edu.gh or ejabakah@gmail.com; Dr. Godfred Amewu, gamewu@ug.edu.gh or fredamewu@yahoo.com; Prof. Jones Odei-Mensah, jones.odei-mensah@wits.ac.za; Prof Ismail Fasanya, Ismail.fasanya@wits.ac.za.
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Submission Guidelines
- Abstracts (300 words) should be submitted by July 30, 2025
-Full papers by September 15, 2025
Create an account via: Create Account
Login and register via: login and apply
**#AREF2025 #AfricasRenaissance #IndigenousTech #ModernSolutions**
For inquiries, contact: Emmanuel Joel Aikens Abakah ejaabakah@ug.edu.gh Godfred Amewu, gamewu@ug.edu.gh and Imhotep Alagidede, ipalagidede@ug.edu.gh and Imhotep.alagidede@wits.ac.za
Join us in shaping Africa's renaissance through indigenous wisdom and modern innovation!
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Explore Ghana Beyond the Conference Room
Unforgettable Side Attractions at AREF 2025
While the 2025 African Review of Economics and Finance Conference promises engaging dialogue and groundbreaking research, your experience in Ghana wouldn't be complete without immersing yourself in the rich tapestry of our history, innovation, and natural beauty.
Here's what awaits you beyond the sessions:
- Christiansborg Castle, Osu - Experience the Return through the Gate of No Return. Step into the halls of Ghana's storied past with a guided tour of Christiansborg Castle, once the seat of colonial power and post-independence governance.
Located on the coast of Osu, this landmark is not just a monument—it's a journey through centuries of resilience, leadership, and transformation.
Walk Through the Pages of Ghanaian History and...
- • Explore the iconic castle once occupied by colonial governors and Ghana’s first post-independence president.
- • Discover the hidden dungeons, preserved chambers, and stunning views of the Atlantic coast.
- • Learn the story of Ghana's political evolution in a setting that bridges past and present.
Location: Osu, Accra
Duration: Half-Day Tour
Ideal for: History buffs, culture lovers, and first-time visitors
- Akosombo Dam & Volta Lake - Where Power Meets Peace
Venture into the serene Eastern Region to witness the awe-inspiring Akosombo Dam, a marvel of African engineering that powers much of the nation.
Overlooking the majestic Volta Lake, this trip offers breathtaking views, a chance to reflect, and a deeper appreciation for the intersection of infrastructure and development. Akosombo stands for Power, Peace, and Panoramas. Visit this world class infrastructure and:
- • Witness the engineering feat that powers much of West Africa—Ghana’s celebrated Akosombo Hydroelectric Dam.
- • Cruise or relax by the tranquil shores of Volta Lake, the world’s largest man-made lake by surface area.
- • Experience how infrastructure can transform economies—and inspire awe.
Location: Akosombo, Eastern Region
Duration: Full-Day Trip
Includes: Scenic drive, guided dam tour, lakeside lunch stop
- Cocoa Processing Company - From Bean to Bar, Ghana's Chocolate Story
Get a taste of Ghana's economic backbone with an exclusive tour of the Cocoa Processing Company.
- • Step inside the heart of Ghana's cocoa industry and see how the nation's prized beans are processed.
- • Learn about sustainable sourcing, value addition, and the global journey of Ghanaian chocolate.
- • Sample select products and witness industry innovation firsthand.
Location: Tema Industrial Zone
Duration: Half-Day Tour
Includes: Factory tour, tasting session, gift shop access.
These excursions are more than sightseeing—they are curated experiences designed to deepen your connection to the African story of progress, innovation, and heritage.
Pack your curiosity. Let Ghana inspire you. - Christiansborg Castle, Osu - Experience the Return through the Gate of No Return. Step into the halls of Ghana's storied past with a guided tour of Christiansborg Castle, once the seat of colonial power and post-independence governance.