Kampala Geopolitics Conference 2026 to discuss rapid changing global dynamics

KAMPALA - All is set for the 9th edition of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference 2026, slated for April 15–16, at Makerere University in Kampala, with organisers highlighting the rapidly changing global dynamics and its potential impact on Africa.

This two-day academic event will, among others, focus on Africa's position in a rapidly changing global order, with discussions on global finance, debt systems, sovereignty, development aid, and youth political participation.

According to organisers at Makerere University, the conference aims to bring African perspectives into global debates and will feature panels with guests from both academia and practice.

The conference is organised in partnership with the French Embassy in Uganda, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Uganda, and the Alliance Française de Kampala and hosted at Makerere University.

“This is a significant platform for intellectual exchange and policy dialogue, reflecting Makerere University's commitment to fostering regional and global dialogue. It connects experts and professionals from politics and public administration, journalists, researchers, and students to engage in debates on international, regional, and local matters,” a university official said on Thursday.

Speaking recently during the MoU signing ceremony, Makerere University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, emphasised the importance of the Kampala Geopolitics Conference as a platform that connects academic discourse with global policy conversations while empowering students to engage with the complex challenges shaping the international system.

The objective of the conference is to serve as a platform for politically engaged citizens, students, and young professionals to discuss geopolitical topics, exchange ideas, and build networks in the field of international relations.

Another key focus is to bring African perspectives into global debates. The panels feature guests from both academia and practice, representing a broad spectrum of expertise from Africa and Europe.

The conference is expected to tackle how youth can shape public policies in Africa, given that it's the youngest continent in the world. According to projections by the United Nations, more than 60% of its population is under the age of 25, and by 2050.

This demographic reality represents both a strategic opportunity, the “demographic dividend” and a major challenge for African states. Despite their demographic weight and growing influence in social, economic, and digital spheres, young people remain largely underrepresented in formal decision-making spaces.

The gap between a predominantly young population and institutions often dominated by older generations raises important questions about whether public policies truly reflect youth needs, aspirations, and innovations.

Another area of focus will be Africa and External Powers: Shaping the Terms of Engagement as Africa becomes an increasingly prominent arena of international engagement amid shifts in the global distribution of power.

A range of external factors, including the United States, China, Russia, and several Gulf states such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar continue to expose Africa to unprecedented instabilities and stifle economic growth.

Ethiopia’s reassertion of regional ambition has also emerged as one of the most consequential dynamics shaping the Horn of Africa’s security and diplomatic landscape.

As Africa’s second most populous country and a long-standing regional power, Ethiopia’s pursuit of reliable sea access through ports, transport corridors, and strategic agreements has elicited strong responses from Somalia, Eritrea and Djibouti but also intensified debates about sovereignty, regional balance, and the norms governing interstate relations.