The Pan-African Dialogue Institute in collaboration with the World Council on Pan-Africanism (CoMoPa), University of Uyo, and the prestigious University of Abomey-Calavi is honored to convene the 2026 Biennial International Conference on Pan-Africanism at the University of Abomey-Calavi, Republic of Benin.

This landmark gathering aims to deepen the discourse on Pan-Africanism by transitioning from theoretical perspectives to actionable strategies that address contemporary challenges facing the continent. Pan-Africanism has long served as an ideological foundation for unity, self-determination, solidarity, and socio-political and economic progress in Africa and its diaspora. However, realizing its full potential requires a pragmatic shift towards concrete actions in education, policies, and sustainable community development projects.

This conference intends to foster a dynamic exchange of ideas, best practices, and collaborative frameworks that can drive the future of Pan-Africanism as a force for tangible transformation. Through a multidisciplinary approach, participants—including scholars, policymakers, activists, and development practitioners as well as traditional, religious, political, and business leaders—will engage in critical discussions on how education systems can be harnessed to cultivate Pan-African consciousness, how policy frameworks can promote inclusive and context-specific growth, and how grassroots and large-scale projects can materialize Pan-African ideals in real-world settings. The conference will serve as a platform to assess past achievements, confront present challenges, and propose forward-thinking solutions for a more unified and prosperous Africa. 

The conference is designed to incorporate two essential dimensions—the cultural and the academic, both of which are crucial in shaping a holistic Pan-African consciousness. In the Cultural Dimension participants will have the opportunity to experience Africa’s vast and dynamic cultural heritage through various artistic and traditional displays. Activities will include traditional African dances and musical performances, art and craft exhibitions, authentic African cuisines, fashion and traditional attire displays, storytelling and oral literature sessions.

In the academic dimension, plenary sessions will provide a platform for intellectual engagement, featuring keynotes and research presentations on Pan-Africanism and its contemporary relevance, policy discussions on governance, economic development, and education, panel discussions with leading scholars and policymakers, and workshops on project implementation for sustainable development. The rigorous academic exchanges will hopefully generate actionable insights and strategies that can be applied to educational frameworks, policy reforms, and socio-economic projects across Africa. As we create a vibrant intellectual and practical