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Inaugural Annual Conference10–12 August 2026

Academy for African Studies

Repositioning Africa: Power, Policy and Practice in a Disrupted World

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Three-day schedule

Full Conference Programme

Explore every keynote, research track, paper presentation, panel, workshop and conference activity in the approved programme. Open each track to see its papers and contributors.

Day 1: Monday 10 August 2026Day 2: Tuesday 11 August 2026Day 3: Wednesday 12 August 2026

Day 1 · Virtual

Monday 10 August 2026

Online

13 programme blocks
08:30–09:00
registration

Arrival and Registration

Online registration and arrival.

09:00–09:15
address

Opening Address

Professor Christian Harrison — Chair, Academy for African Studies; Director, Centre for Leadership and Empowerment, University of Greater Manchester, UK.

09:15–09:45
address

Welcome Address

Dr Kingsley Omeihe — President, Academy for African Studies.

09:45–10:30
keynote

Keynote Address

Folake Soetan — Managing Director, Arahas Global Oilfield Services.

10:45–12:00
Parallel sessions

Parallel Sessions: Tracks 1–3

Track 1 — International Business and Management

Chair: Dr Ayodeji Owoeye · Room: Breakout Room 1

  1. 1
    The Impact of AI-Driven Risk Assessment Tools on Risk Management Effectiveness: Evidence from Large-Scale International Projects in Africa.

    Anabelle Odafe and Olalekan Adisa; York St John University, London, UK.

  2. 2
    Secessionism: Impact of IPOB's Sit-at-Home Orders on Socio-Cultural, Economic and Civil Rights in Nigeria.

    Osahon Odemwingie.

  3. 3
    Morocco's Annexation of Western Sahara: A Realist Perspective.

    Osahon Odemwingie.

Track 2 — Leadership

Chair: Dr Ibiyemi Omeihe · Room: Breakout Room 2

  1. 1
    Examining Distributed Leadership and Employee Well-being in Healthcare Digital Transformation.

    Olubanwo Ayo-Paul; University of Huddersfield, UK.

  2. 2
    Leading With, Through, and Beyond AI: An AI-Augmented Adaptive Leadership Framework for Human Centered Algorithmic Transformation.

    Xiaolin Chen, Golden Gate University, USA; Christian Harrison, University of Greater Manchester, UK.

  3. 3
    Entrepreneurial Leadership in Creative Industries: Innovation, Identity and Sustainable Business Growth.

    Esther Damaris Tsotsoo Ashiao, Olalekan Adisa and Ebenezer Frimpong; York St John University London, UK.

Track 3 — Gender

Chair: Dr Kwame Ntim Sekyere · Room: Breakout Room 3

  1. 1
    Sustainable Procurement and the UK Procurement Act 2023: Implications for African Exporters.

    Elvis Dwumaah, Esther Damaris Tsotsoo Ashiao and Ebenezer Frimpong; York St John University London, UK.

  2. 2
    One More Girl, One More Pad, One More Chance: Managing Community-Based Menstrual Health Projects for Gender Equality in Ghana.

    Esther Damaris Tsotsoo Ashiao and Olalekan Adisa; York St John University London, UK.

  3. 3
    A Two-Phase Qualitative Approach to Exploring Intra-Gender Discrimination in Non-Western Organisational Contexts.

    Banu Albayrak Ucar; Bournemouth University, UK.

12:00–13:00
break

Lunch Break

13:00–14:15
Parallel sessions

Parallel Sessions: Tracks 4–8

Track 4 — Organisational Behaviour

Chair: Dr Ijeoma G. Ukeni · Room: Breakout Room 1

  1. 1
    AI Governance in Africa: Structures, Standards and Sustainability.

    Adebukola Oyewunmi; Teesside University, UK.

  2. 2
    Unpacking Board Dynamics: How Governance Structures Shape Bank Performance in Vietnam.

    Huy Hoang Pham, Christian Harrison and Mathew Shafaghi; University of Greater Manchester, UK.

  3. 3
    Beyond Remittances: Diaspora Governance and the Politics of Representation in Africa.

    Bernadetta Mazimbe, Sheffield Hallam University; Oluwaferanmi Adeyemo, Manchester Metropolitan University; Sopefoluwa Oluyide, Sheffield Hallam University, UK.

Track 5 — Operations, Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Chair: Dr Olamide Olusegun · Room: Breakout Room 2

  1. 1
    Reconfiguring Project Delivery in Africa's Construction Industry: Examining the Role of Digital Project Management Tools in an Era of Global Disruption.

    Sodienye Tobin and Olalekan Adisa; York St John University, London, UK.

  2. 2
    From Digital Convenience to Digital Competitiveness: The Future of African SMEs.

    Kelechi Ndudi-Okoro, University of Northampton, UK; Olalekan Adisa, York St John University, London, UK.

  3. 3
    Investigating the Invasion of China-Printed Adire Design in the Nigerian Indigenous Textile Market.

    Opudo Vivian Woko, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Nigeria; Ijeoma Ukeni, University of Huddersfield, UK.

Track 6 — Leadership

Chair: Dr Bridget Irene · Room: Breakout Room 3

  1. 1
    Leading Before Reporting: Repositioning Sustainability Leadership for Business Transformation in Nigeria.

    Kelechi Ndudi-Okoro and Olalekan Adisa; York St John University, London, UK.

  2. 2
    The Role of Human Resource Leadership in Policy Enforcement Under Subordinate Intimidation: A Systematic Review of African Organizational Contexts.

    Nyikiwa Mavunda and Olalekan Adisa; York St John University, London, UK.

  3. 3
    Repositioning Women-Led SMEs in Africa: Strategic Leadership, AI-Driven Supply Chain Innovation and Policy Support in a Disrupted World.

    Tonye Obinna Igbokwe and Chinyere Iheoma Ekezie; University of Greater Manchester, UK.

Track 7 — Technology and Innovation

Chair: Dr Destina Ovuakporie · Room: Breakout Room 4

  1. 1
    The Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence for Self-Diagnosis on Health, and Its Impacts on Users in Scotland.

    Samuel Oluwatosin Adejuyitan, Sabrina Azzi and Abeer Hassan; University of the West of Scotland, UK.

  2. 2
    Climate Finance, Green Growth and Environmental Resilience in Africa.

    Attahir Abubakar, University of the West of Scotland, UK; Ahmed Jinjiri Bala, Woxsen University, Hyderabad, India.

  3. 3
    Affordability on Whose Terms? Repositioning Subsidy Policy, Credit Access and Urban Housing Inequality in Ghana.

    Sandra Otaabea Sefa and Olalekan Adisa; York St John University London, UK.

Track 8 — Strategy and Sustainability

Chair: Dr Andrew Chimenya · Room: Breakout Room 5

  1. 1
    Governing AI Without Enforcement: A Comparative Study of National AI Strategy Adoption in Ghana, Nigeria and Rwanda.

    Ebenezer Frimpong and Olalekan Adisa; York St John University London, UK.

  2. 2
    Built to Launch, Not to Last: Maintenance Culture and the Sustainability of Public Infrastructure in Ghana.

    Ebenezer Frimpong, Esther Damaris Tsotso Ashiao and Elvis Dwumah; York St John University London, UK.

14:15–14:30
break

Break

14:30–15:30
panel

Panel Discussion — Leading Africa Through Disruption: Building Resilient Organisations for the Future

Chair: Professor Christian Harrison. Panellists: Chike Chukwuelue, Michael Omeihe and Dr Olawunmi Oyebola.

15:30–15:45
break

Refresher Session

15:45–16:00
networking

Networking Break

16:00–17:00
workshop

Professional Development Workshops

Mentoring Across the Diaspora — Dr Francis Achi; A Conversation about Wellbeing & Resilience — Cheryl Crooks; Meet the Editors Session — Dr Adebukola Oyewunmi and Professor Christian Harrison.

17:00–17:30
closing

Taking Stock

Day 2 · In person

Tuesday 11 August 2026

Social Learning Zone, Chancellors Mall, University of Greater Manchester

13 programme blocks
08:30–09:15
registration

Arrival and Registration

09:15–09:45
address

Opening Address

Professor Christian Harrison — Chair, Academy for African Studies; Director, Centre for Leadership and Empowerment, University of Greater Manchester, UK.

09:45–10:15
keynote

First Keynote Address

Professor Lekan Asikhia — Vice Chancellor, Caleb University, Nigeria.

10:15–10:45
keynote

Second Keynote Address

Dr Abderrezzak Osmani — President and CEO, UK–Algeria Business Council.

10:45–12:00
Parallel sessions

Parallel Sessions: Tracks 1–7

Track 1 — Entrepreneurship

Chair: Dr Bernard Boateng · Room: M1-022

  1. 1
    Seam-Workers: Entrepreneurship as Geopolitical Arbitrage in a Multipolar Order.

    Olusola Daniel Oladiran, Ravensbourne University UK; Olalekan Adisa, York St John University London; Opeyemi Awonugba, Arden University; Margaret Adisa, York St John University, UK.

  2. 2
    Between Two Worlds: Dual Embeddedness, Kinship Trust, and Nigerian Diaspora Entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom.

    Olufunke Olawale and Kingsley Omeihe; University of the West of Scotland, UK.

  3. 3
    Trust as Reputation Work: How SMEs Manage Social Evaluation Across Institutional Contexts.

    Olufunke Olawale and Kingsley Omeihe; University of the West of Scotland, UK.

Track 2 — Organisational Behaviour

Chair: Dr Ijeoma Okpanum · Room: M1-025

  1. 1
    Moral Traditions in Dialogue: The Place of an African Perspective.

    Ijeoma Ukeni; University of Huddersfield, UK.

  2. 2
    Female Authority, Indigenous Institutions and the Decolonisation of Organisational Trust Theory.

    Ijeoma Okpanum; University of Aberdeen, UK.

Track 3 — Leadership

Chair: Dr Ibiyemi Omeihe and Dr Adebowale Adeship · Room: M1-026

  1. 1
    Crisis Leadership in Nigeria's Insurance Sector: Navigating Recapitalisation and Regulatory Reforms.

    Patricia Okorodudu, Christian Harrison and Imran Akhtar; University of Greater Manchester, UK; Charles Efe Okorodudu, Golden Gate University, USA.

  2. 2
    The Role of Leadership in Fostering Business Analytics Adoption Among SMEs in Africa: A Conceptual Framework.

    Akinlabi Babatunde Hamed; Edinburgh Napier University International College, UK.

  3. 3
    Interstitial Leadership: Exercising Authority in the Gaps Between Formal and Informal Institutions in African Organisations.

    Olusola Daniel Oladiran, Ravensbourne University; Olalekan Adisa, York St John University London; Jeff Etemah, University of Greater Manchester, UK.

Track 4 — Human Resource Management

Chair: Dr Emeka Oruh · Room: M2-001

  1. 1
    How Inclusive Employment Practice Influences Employee Turnover Intention: The Roles of Job Satisfaction and Ethnic Identity.

    Bethlehem Abebe, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia; Marloes van Engen, Radboud University, the Netherlands; Konjit Hailu Gudeta, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.

  2. 2
    Rethinking Hiring Decision in Nigerian Civil Service: Artificial Intelligence Role in Shaping Growth Orientation and Organisational Effectiveness.

    Azeezat Omobolarinwa Akinpelu; University of Greater Manchester, UK.

Track 5 — Technology and Innovation

Chair: Lawrence Ngoe · Room: M2-018

  1. 1
    From Electronic Governance to Artificial Intelligence: Emerging Information System Challenges from Public Transformation in Africa.

    Felix Mudiaga Erhurhe; University of the West of Scotland, UK.

  2. 2
    Artificial Intelligence and the Evolving Role of External Accountants: A Systematic Review of Implications for UK Micro-entrepreneurs.

    Ibrahim Sadick and Ahmed Beloucif; University of the West of Scotland, UK.

  3. 3
    From Human Mentors to Algorithmic Advisors: The Role of Generative AI in Repositioning Nigerian Entrepreneurs Globally.

    Olawunmi Hannah Olapade and Omolola Adefarat; University of Greater Manchester, UK.

Track 6 — Strategy and Sustainability

Chair: Dr Inyene Nkanta · Room: M2-023

  1. 1
    Relationship between Dynamic Capabilities, Proactive Environmental Strategy and SME Performance in Nigeria.

    Solomon Jeresa; University of Huddersfield, UK.

  2. 2
    Analysis of Energy Resilience and Risk Management in Supply Chain Effectiveness: The Case of Ghana's Medium and Large-Scale Enterprises.

    Elizabeth Asantewaa and Bernard Ofosu Boateng, University of the West of Scotland; Kwame Ntim Sekyere, University of Leicester, UK.

  3. 3
    Assessing the Role of Fintech in Financing Circular Economy of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria: Opportunities and Challenges.

    Inyene Nkanta, University of the West of Scotland, UK; Samuel Arome Baba, Federal Polytechnic Nekede Owerri, Nigeria.

Track 7 — Entrepreneurship and Leadership

Chair: Dr Rita Lamsal · Room: M1-022

  1. 1
    Trust and Exporting SMEs among Women in Emerging Markets: Insights from a Systematic Literature Review.

    Baaba Berima-Kwao and Kingsley Omeihe; University of the West of Scotland, UK.

  2. 2
    Leading at the Intersection: Re-theorising the Leadership Profiles of Black Women in Senior Management in Nigeria's Banking Sector.

    Temitope Bodunrin and Kingsley Omeihe; University of the West of Scotland, UK.

12:00–13:00
break

Lunch

Social Learning Zone, Chancellors Mall.

14:15–14:30
break

Break

14:30–15:30
panel

Panel Discussion — The Future of Work in Africa: Preparing Africa’s Workforce for Disruption

Chair: Professor Christian Harrison. Panellists: Dr Abdi Ali, Ayo Benson, Michelle Howard and Dr Tinkuma Edafioghor — Associate Professor in Human Resource Management, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK.

15:30–15:45
break

Refresher Session

15:45–16:00
networking

Networking Break

16:00–17:00
workshop

Professional Development Workshops

LEGO® Serious Play® — Dr Olalekan Adisa and Gosia Płotka (M1-022); The Mindset of a Productive Leader — Ayo Benson Olarewaju (M1-025); Trust and Public Policy — Dr Kingsley Omeihe (M2-001); Research Access to Participants and Organizations — Dr Abderrezzak Osmani and Dr Ahmed Beloucif (M1-026).

17:00–17:15
closing

Closing Address

Dr Greg Walker — Acting Vice Chancellor, University of Greater Manchester, UK.

17:15–17:30
closing

Taking Stock

Day 3 · In person

Wednesday 12 August 2026

Social Learning Zone, Chancellors Mall, University of Greater Manchester

13 programme blocks
08:30–09:00
registration

Arrival and Registration

09:00–10:20
activity

Formula One Race Simulation

10:20–10:30
address

Welcome

Dr Kingsley Omeihe — President, Academy for African Studies.

10:20–10:30
address

University Welcome

Sharon Germaine-Cox — Assistant Vice Chancellor, Organisational Change & People, University of Greater Manchester.

10:30–10:45
keynote

First Keynote Address

Dr Abdoul Karim Kabèlè-Camara — Vice President, Government and External Affairs, West Africa, Fortuna Mining Corp.

10:15–10:45
keynote

Second Keynote Address

Dr Olasupo Olusi — Managing Director & CEO, Bank of Industry, Nigeria.

11:50–13:30
Parallel sessions

Parallel Sessions: Tracks 1–5

Track 1 — Entrepreneurship

Chair: Dr Imran Khan · Room: M1-022

  1. 1
    Beyond Survival: Women's Informal Entrepreneurship and Circular Economy Practices in Nigeria.

    Ibtissam Maazouz and Nnenna Ezeaku, Arden University; Bilal Zaghmout, York St John University London; Laila Maazouz, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, UK.

  2. 2
    Women Entrepreneurship in Morocco: Challenges, Opportunities, and Economic Impact.

    Ibtissam Maazouz, Arden University; Ahmed Beloucif and Abdelmoughit Semlali, University of the West of Scotland; Bilal Zaghmout, York St John University London, UK.

  3. 3
    Does Trust Matter for Entrepreneurship? Institutional Trust, Distrust and Entrepreneurial Resilience in African-Owned Businesses.

    Ola Falehin, Kingsley Omeihe, Shaif Ahammed and Ibiyemi Omeihe; University of the West of Scotland, UK.

  4. 4
    Repositioning the diaspora entrepreneur: Gender, ethnicity, and institutional

    Ada Osakwe; University of the West of Scotland, UK.

Track 2 — Research Methodology

Chair: Dr Ahmed Beloucif and Dr Winifred Aina · Room: M1-025

  1. 1
    Interrogating Methodological Rigour in Systematic Literature Reviews: A Documentary Analysis of MSc Dissertations.

    Amina Mehmood and Ahmed Beloucif; University of the West of Scotland, UK.

  2. 2
    Methodological Framework for an Integrated Qualitative Inquiry into Green Human Resource Management in Nigeria's Oil and Gas Industry.

    Winifred Aina; Bournemouth University, UK.

  3. 3
    Methodological Coherence in Social Research: Philosophical Foundations, Paradigmatic Alignment, and Ethical Practice.

    Solomon Jeresa, University of Huddersfield; Winifred Aina, Bournemouth University, UK.

  4. 4
    Revisiting Trait Theory Through the Lens of Dark Leadership: A Systematic Literature Review.

    Jeff Etemah, University of Greater Manchester; Olusola Daniel Oladiran, Ravensbourne University, UK.

Track 3 — Financial Management

Chair: Dr Ayodele Adetuyi · Room: M1-026

  1. 1
    Financial Development and Economic Growth in Africa: Evidence from Morocco, Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana, and Kenya (2010–2023).

    Lyticia Ait Amer Meziane, University of Salford; Ahmed Beloucif, University of the West of Scotland, UK.

  2. 2
    Electricity Regulation and Financial Performance: Evidence from Electricity Utilities in Ghana.

    Joanna Kabukie Baiden; University of the West of Scotland, UK.

  3. 3
    Strengthening Nigeria's Financial Sector to Support Agricultural Growth: A Focus on Tree Crops (Cocoa, Kola, and Cashew).

    Joseph Ejugwu and Ayodele Adetuyi, University of the West of Scotland; Adewumi Ibrahim Adedoyin, Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria.

  4. 4
    Institutional Investors as Catalysts for Commercial Real Estate Development in Emerging Markets: A Systematic Review and Future Research Agenda.

    Olawale Olaniyan and Ahmed Beloucif; University of the West of Scotland, UK.

Track 4 — Development Studies

Chair: Dr Segun Bolarinwa · Room: M2-001

  1. 1
    Communication, Participation and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Whose Voice Shapes Development Outcomes?

    Peter Gbenga Arikenbi; University of Colorado Boulder, USA.

  2. 2
    Competing Narratives of Development: Social Media, Digital Finance and Sustainable Gold Mining in Africa.

    Kyriakos Iliou and Deinsam D. Ogan; University of Wolverhampton, UK.

  3. 3
    Geopolitical Alignment and Poverty Outcomes: Does It Matter Which Bloc Finances Your Development?

    Segun Bolarinwa and Munacinga Simatele; University of Fort Hare, South Africa.

  4. 4
    Price Policy Instruments and the Export Performance of Nigeria’s Cashew Sector.

    Ayodele Adetuyi, Joseph Ejugwu, Harika Kancham, Olawale Olaniyan and Ripon Mahmud, University of the West of Scotland; Adewumi Ibrahim, Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria.

Track 5 — Strategy and Sustainability

Chair: Dr Olamide Olusegun · Room: M2-018

  1. 1
    Generative Constructive Decolonisation and the Eleven Domains of Relational Obligation: An Africa-Originating Programme for Repositioning Power, Policy, and Practice in a Disrupted World.

    Jude Dunkwu; Centre for Online Distance Education, University of London, UK.

  2. 2
    Performance Measurement System: A Tool to Achieve Employee Motivation in Manufacturing Firms.

    Micheal Adebayo, University of Greater Manchester; Samuel Ajayi, Lagos State Cooperative College; Ekezie Chinyere and Tonye Obinna-Igbokwe, University of Greater Manchester.

  3. 3
    Lean Management as Lived Practice: Worker Agency, Informality, and Safety Trade-offs in Resource-Constrained Organisations.

    Emeka Smart Oruh, Brunel University; Chianu Dibia, University of Southampton; Arthur Egwuonwu, University of Westminster; Opeyemi Faith Titus, Nottingham Trent University, UK.

  4. 4
    Content Creation Self-Efficacy and Digital Wellbeing: Examining the Mechanisms and Boundary Conditions in the Global South.

    Bernard Ofosu Bernard, University of the West of Scotland; Kwame Ntim Sekyere, University of Leicester, UK.

13:45–14:45
break

Lunch

Social Learning Zone, Chancellors Mall.

14:30–15:30
workshop

Professional Development Workshops

From Motivation to Momentum — Dr Ijeoma Okpanum and Dr Ibiyemi Omeihe (M1-022); Systematic Literature Review Workshop — Dr Ahmed Beloucif (M1-025); Leadership as “We Not Me” — Professor Christian Harrison (M1-026).

15:30–15:45
break

Break

15:45–16:00
break

Refresher Session

16:00–16:15
closing

Taking Stock

16:15–16:30
closing

Farewell

Questions about the programme?

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