Harvard's Africa Development Conference April 17-18, 2026

Led by The Harvard Law School African Law Association and Harvard Kennedy School of Government Africa Caucus, Harvard’s Africa Development Conference (ADC) serves as the premier global platform for critical discussions on Africa’s future. With approximately 500 attendees, including 50+ industry leaders as speakers and panelists, ADC fosters meaningful dialogue that shapes the continent’s trajectory. Heads of state, policymakers, and influential figures will convene to explore forward-thinking strategies and collaborations for Africa’s sustainable development.

As the world enters a period of profound geopolitical realignment–from new alliances in the Global South to strategic competition over resources, energy, and technology–Africa’s role has never been more consequential. The continent’s choices today will shape global trade, climate solutions, and governance systems for generations to come.

In its 2026 edition, ADC turns its focus to a pivotal question of our time: how can Africa move beyond being the arena of global competition to become one of the architects of a reshuffling world order? This year’s theme, “Reclaiming Africa’s Agency in a New Global Order,” reflects this transformative moment. It calls for a new lens through which African states, institutions, and citizens can assert greater agency, redefine partnerships, and build systems that serve their own priorities and values.