8th African Conference of Agricultural Economists
Event Overview
The 8th African Conference of Agricultural Economists (ACAE 2026) will take place from 22–25 September 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya, at the Mövenpick Nairobi Hotel (Westlands). It is organised by the African Association of Agricultural Economists in collaboration with the International Food Policy Research Institute Africa office.
The conference focuses on “Smart Agriculture: Innovation, Digital Transformation, and Trade for a Climate-Challenged Africa.”
Core Focus
ACAE 2026 addresses the transformation of African agriculture through:
- Digital and data-driven agricultural systems
- Climate-resilient farming and adaptation strategies
- Agricultural trade and value chain development
- Innovation in food systems and productivity enhancement
The overarching emphasis is on strengthening agricultural resilience in the context of climate change and global market pressures.
Key Objectives
The conference aims to:
- Promote evidence-based agricultural policy and economic research
- Foster innovation in agrifood systems and digital agriculture
- Strengthen trade and regional integration in African agriculture
- Support climate adaptation strategies for farmers and agribusinesses
- Facilitate collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and development actors
Target Audience
The event brings together:
- Agricultural economists and researchers
- Policymakers and government agencies
- Development organisations and NGOs
- Private sector actors in agribusiness and agri-tech
- Trade and food system stakeholders
Programme Structure
The conference includes:
- Paper presentations and thematic sessions
- Policy dialogues and technical panels
- Research dissemination workshops
- Networking sessions across agriculture and trade ecosystems
- Exhibition and sponsor showcases
Key Dates
- Paper submissions open: 15 November 2025
- Submission deadline: 31 March 2026
- Notification of acceptance: 1–5 June 2026
- Early bird registration deadline: 15 July 2026
- Regular registration deadline: 15 September 2026
- Final programme release: 16 September 2026
- Conference dates: 22–25 September 2026
Travel Note
A partnership with Kenya Airways offers discounted fares (up to 12%) for attendees travelling to Nairobi, with travel validity aligned to the conference period.
Strategic Relevance
This conference is particularly relevant for stakeholders working on:
- Agricultural innovation and digital transformation
- Climate-smart agriculture and resilience
- Food systems and value chain development
- Agricultural trade policy and regional integration
- Rural development and agri-economic research