ESA Africa 2026 Conference
ESA Africa is the regional edition of the Economic Science Association (ESA) Conference a major international conference in experimental and behavioral economics—bringing together global and African economists to exchange cutting-edge work and foster interdisciplinary collaborations grounded in controlled experiments that advance understanding of economic behavior.
The ESA promotes rigorous experimental methods and ESA Africa specifically aims to showcase and promote research from African institutions and on Africa-relevant topics, and to build bridges between experimental economists and economists conducting policy evaluations using experiments.
This year, UM6P hosts the conference in Morocco, expanding networks and opportunities for collaboration across the continent.
Submissions are now closed and 160 presentations have been accepted for presentation.
ESA Africa 2026 will be followed by a Summer School on Bayesian Methods for Experimental Economics, taking place at UM6P Rabat from June 18 to 21, 2026. Visit the website of the summer school
Key Dates
December 18, 2025
Talk submissions open
February 20, 2026
Deadline to submit an abstract
March 03, 2026
Notification of acceptances
April 17, 2026
Early registration deadline
May 15, 2026
Late registration deadline
Committees
Local organizing committee
Mohammed
Abdellaoui
HEC Paris
Scientific committee
Mohammed
Abdellaoui
HEC Paris
Marieke
Huysentruyt
HEC Paris
Lata
Gangadharan
Monash University
Monica
Lambon-Quayefia
University of Ghana
Supported by
Travel grant
Frequently Asked Questions
Venue
Conference location
The conference will be held at UM6P Rabat campus, within the Social Sciences, Economics and Humanities Cluster of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University. The Cluster is a teaching and research ecosystem that closely brings together three entities:
- Faculty of Governance, Economics and Social Sciences (FGSES); offering Bachelor's, Master's, as well as Ph.D. programs.
- The Africa Institute for Research in Economics and Social Sciences (AIRESS): geared towards research.
- The Public Policy School (PPS): offering executive education programs for decision-makers in both public and private sectors.
Each of these entities fulfills its mission, using the knowledge and experience shared among a community of professors, researchers, scholars as well as public decision-makers.
Mohammed VI Polytechnic University – Rabat Campus
Rocade Rabat-Salé,
Rabat 11103
Getting to Rabat
Rabat-Salé Airport (RBA)
The closest airport to the city, located approximately 30 minutes away. Taxis and bus line AE are available outside the arrivals' terminal, with fares displayed in the airport hall and taxi parking area.
Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport (CMN)
The airport is 1.5 hours away from Rabat, it offers direct trains to the city departing every hour. Train tickets can be purchased online via the ONCF website or directly at the station, with a trip cost of 100 MAD.
Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport (TNG)
Located 3 hours from Rabat, the most convenient option is to head to Tangier's train station and take the high-speed (TGV) train to Rabat.
Airport taxi routes and approximate fares
| Route | Day fare | Night fare |
|---|---|---|
| From Rabat airport to downtown Rabat | 150 MAD | 250 MAD |
| From Casablanca airport to downtown Casablanca | 250 MAD | 300 MAD |
| From Tangier airport to Tangier train station | 120 MAD | 180 MAD |
1 USD ~ 10 MAD
Getting to the campus
The campus is located outside of Rabat, approximately 20 minutes away by car. To reach the campus from the city center, you can use:
Tramway + Bus:
Take tramway Line 2 (L2) to the Sale Terminus (7 MAD), then transfer to bus line 201, which stops directly in front of the campus. The total bus ride (6,5 MAD) takes approximately 25 minutes.
Taxi:
There are two types of taxis in Rabat: Petit taxi (blue taxi) and Grand Taxi (white cabs).
Petit taxis usually operate within the city and may not accept trips outside Rabat. In some cases, drivers may agree to the ride, but the meter is unlikely to be used. Be sure to negotiate the fare in advance.
The white taxis operate between cities and can take you directly to the campus. Below is an indicative table of departure locations and fares.
| Route | Estimated travel time | Day fare (MAD) | Night fare (MAD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| From Casablanca Mohammed V Airport to Rabat city center | 1h 15- 1h 30 | 700- 900 | 900- 1 000 |
| From Casablanca Mohammed V Airport to UM6P | 1h 15- 1h 30 | 700- 900 | 900- 1 000 |
| From Rabat-Salé Airport to UM6P | 20- 25 min | 150- 200 | 200- 250 |
| From Rabat city center to UM6P | 20 min | 80- 100 | 100- 150 |
Please note that these fares are indicative and may vary depending on your pick-up location. If you are staying at a hotel off campus, we recommend asking the receptionist to book a taxi for you.
If you are opting for our campus accommodation, the venue is within walking distance.
Ride-hailing applications such as Careem and inDrive are available in Morocco; however, their use is not permitted under Moroccan law.
Conference days
Downloadables
University of Nottingham, UK
Abigail Barr joined the University of Nottingham in the summer of 2011. Before coming to Nottingham, she was a researcher at the Centre for the Study of African Economies (CSAE) and the Oxford Department of International Development, University of Oxford. She is also an associate of the Nuffield Centre for Experimental Social Science and the Institute of Fiscal Studies.
Abigail's research focuses on the socially embedded decision-maker. She has designed and implemented a variety of lab and lab-type experiments involving students, villagers, private-sector waged workers and unemployed people and health workers and teachers, in several African and developing countries. Four themes have dominated her work to date: other-regarding preferences; mutually beneficial agreements; citizens' willingness and ability to hold public service providers to account; and the factors and mechanisms determining individual preferences and values.
Department of Economics, Norwegian School of Economics (NHH)
Alexander W. Cappelen is a professor at the Department of Economics, Norwegian School of Economics (NHH), where his academic positions include Deputy Director of the Centre of Excellence FAIR (Centre for Experimental Research on Fairness, Inequality and Rationality), co-director of the research group The Choice Lab, and Chairman of Centre for Ethics and Economics.
His research interests are behavioral, experimental and public economics, business ethics, social choice theory, political philosophy and distributive justice.
His work, published in leading international journals, employs a wide range of experimental approaches to address questions of justice, inequality, and policy.
Key Dates
December 18, 2025
Talk submissions open
February 20, 2026
Deadline to submit an abstract
March 3, 2026
Notification of acceptances
Call for Abstracts — Economic Science Association Africa 2026, Rabat
The organizing committee invites submissions of research abstracts for ESA Africa 2026, hosted by AIRESS at UM6P in Rabat, Morocco. We welcome work in experimental and behavioral economics involving experiments (lab, lab-in-the-field, field, discrete choice, or vignette) and methodological or theoretical contributions with relevance to experimental approaches.
Research projects led by scholars from African institutions and/or addressing Africa-relevant topics are particularly encouraged.
Research in progress is also welcome, in the form of experimental designs. A special "design feedback" talk format will be organized for these projects.
Submission Format
No full paper is required at submission.
Please submit an abstract including:
- the status of the project (completed study or experimental design),
- the title of the project,
- the name(s) and affiliation(s) of the author(s), and
- the relevant JEL codes.
Abstracts should be less than 500 words.
For submissions describing experimental designs, the abstract should clearly present:
- the context of the study (who and where),
- the research question,
- the theoretical or methodological framework (what is measured or observed and how it is interpreted),
- the planned design, and
- information on the project's stage of implementation (e.g., whether pilot data have been collected, funding has been secured, and the planned schedule for data collection).
Eligibility: Submissions are open to researchers at all career stages including PhD students. Each accepted contribution must have a designated presenting author who registers for and attends the conference.
Review & Decision: Abstracts are evaluated by the scientific committee, which will select accepted submissions based on quality, fit, and program balance.
Conference Format: The meeting is planned as an in-person event and will feature keynote lectures, parallel sessions, and round table(s).
Policies: Authors are expected to follow ethical research practices, including relevant IRB/ethics approvals where applicable. The ESA code of conduct applies to all participants.
Submissions are now closed and 160 presentations have been accepted for presentation.
- For any questions related to registrations or submissions, please contact:
- [email protected]
Key Dates
December 18, 2025
Talk submissions open
February 20, 2026
Deadline to submit an abstract
March 03, 2026
Notification of acceptances
April 17, 2026
Early registration deadline
May 15, 2026
Late registration deadline
Registration Fees
| Category | Early (USD) | Late (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Faculty, Post-doc, Professional | 350 | 450 |
| Students | 200 | 300 |
| LMIC Faculty, Post-doc, Professional | 200 | 250 |
| LMIC Students | 150 | 200 |
All registered participants are kindly requested to complete the following survey regarding logistical arrangements.
Please complete the survey after completing your ESA registration.
For any questions related to registrations or submissions, please contact:
Program
The detailed and final program will be available soon after the late-registration deadline.
| Monday June 15 | |
| 11h00 – 15h00 | Social activity (visit of Medina) |
| 15h30 – 16h00 | Registration |
| 16h00 – 17h15 | Design talks session I |
| 17h15 – 17h45 | Coffee break |
| 17h45 – 19h00 | TBC: Round Table on field Experiments or Design talks session II |
| 19h30 | Opening Cocktail Dinner |
| Tuesday June 16 | |
| 8h30 – 9h00 | Registration |
| 9h00 – 10h30 | Parallel sessions I |
| 10h30 – 11h00 | Coffee break |
| 11h00 – 12h30 | Parallel sessions II |
| 12h30 – 14h00 | Lunch |
| 14h00 – 15h15 | Keynote lecture Abigail Barr |
| 15h30 – 17h00 | Parallel sessions III |
| 17h30 | Meeting for social event (visit of Chellah) |
| 20h30 | Gala dinner |
| Wednesday June 17 | |
| 9h00 – 9h30 | Registration |
| 9h30 – 11h00 | Parallel sessions IV |
| 11h00 – 11h30 | Coffee break |
| 11h30 – 13h00 | Parallel sessions V |
| 13h00 – 14h30 | Lunch |
| 14h30 – 15h45 | Keynote lecture Alexander Cappelen |
| 16h00 – 17h30 | Parallel sessions VI |
On-campus Accommodation
The campus offers a range of accommodation options, including the campus hotel and student residences. Prices vary depending on the selected option. All options are within walking distance of the event venue and are highly recommended.
Participants may, of course, make their own accommodation arrangements. Those staying off campus can use public transportation or personal means to reach the venue.
Cocktail dinner will be served during the opening ceremony on June 15. The conference dinner will take place on June 16. Lunch will be served on June 16 and 17.
Participants may choose the Half Board option for June 15 (lunch) and June 17 (dinner).
Snacks are available on campus; alternatively, restaurants in Rabat are approximately ~30 minutes away by taxi (see the Venue section for travel information).
| Options | Price per night (Single Room) | Price per night (Double Room) | |
| Residences | Single Room | 180 MAD/ Night | - |
| Studio | 240 MAD/ Night | - | |
| Hotel/ Appart' Hotel | Bed Only | 1008 MAD/ Night | 1008 MAD/ Night |
| Bed & Breakfast | 1224 MAD/ Night | 1440 MAD/ Night | |
| Half Board | 1620 MAD/ Night | 1836 MAD/ Night | |
| Full Board | 2016 MAD/ Night | 2232 MAD/ Night |
1 USD ~ 10 MAD
Please complete the following form to book on-campus accommodation or indicate (no booking) the location of your selected accommodation:
Frequently Asked Questions
- For any questions related to registrations or submissions, please contact :
- [email protected]
Welcoming Reception
A reception will be held on the first day of the conference at the event venue to welcome participants. This will be a great opportunity for attendees to connect with one another in a convivial setting.
Conference Dinner
An off-campus dinner will be hosted in one of Rabat emblematic restaurants, offering participants the chance to gather in a relaxed atmosphere. The Faculty will arrange transportation from the campus to the restaurant and back to the hotels.
Rabat Activity
As part of the event, FGSES will host a guided tour of Chellah, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This archaeological site offers a unique journey through Morocco’s history, showcasing the evolution of civilizations over the centuries.