AfIELN Conference 2026
AFIELN 8th Biennial Conference Africa and the future of international economic law: Navigating geopolitical realignments, sustainability imperatives and technological disruptions .
This conference seeks to explore how geopolitical realignments, sustainability imperatives, and technological transformations are reshaping international economic law, and how African actors (States, institutions, firms, and civil society) can navigate, influence, and benefit from this transformation.
Local Organizing Committee
Scientific Committee
UPSA Law School, Ghana
Strathmore Law School, Kenya
Kabarak University, Kenya
Institut Universitaire d'Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
University of Cape Town, South Africa
Supported by
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€ = 11 MAD
Getting to the campus
First time visiting
To get to the campus from Rabat, you can use:
- Public transportation: Take tramway Line 2 (L2) to its Sale Terminus (7 MAD), then transfer to bus line 201, which stops in front of the campus. The total bus ride (6,5 MAD) takes approximately 25 minutes, Small taxis are also an option, but the meter is unlikely to be used as the campus is outside the city. Be sure to negotiate the fare in advance, with 100 MAD as the maximum.
- On-campus accommodation: If you are staying at our campus hotel, the venue is within walking distance.
We share this public transport option for your reference, though we strongly recommend using a taxi (100 MAD maximum during the day and 150 MAD maximum at night).
Conference days
Downloadables
Will be available soon.
Key dates
Notification to authors
Decisions on the acceptance of abstracts will be communicated by Sunday, 15 February 2026.
Submission Conditions
Selected applicants will be expected to submit their complete paper (not exceeding 6,000 words) by Sunday, 31 May 2026.
Subjects / Topics
- Africa's role in an era of geo-economic fragmentation
- African approaches to global digital governance and multilateralism
- Africa's participation in WTO e-commerce negotiations
- Legal diplomacy and Africa's voice in shaping digital rules
- Climate change, IEL, and Africa's structural vulnerabilities
- Carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAM) and their impacts on Africa
- Green industrialisation, critical minerals, and clean energy transitions
- International environmental law and Africa's development imperatives
- Digital trade under the AfCFTA
- Cross-border digital services under the AfCFTA
- Cross-border data flows under the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol
- Comparative analysis of national digital economy laws
- Competition law and the digital economy
- Implementation of the AfCFTA in a fragmented geopolitical landscape
- Regional value chains in agriculture, energy, mining, and manufacturing
- Sovereign debt crises and international financial architecture reform
- Monetary integration, currency regimes, and Africa's financial sovereignty
- Intellectual property, innovation, and knowledge transfer
- Traditional knowledge and digital piracy
- Africa's role in global IP norm-setting
- Investment screening mechanisms in a geopolitical context
- The AfCFTA Investment Protocol
- Digital assets as investment
- Investment law and technology-driven sectors
- Investor–state dispute settlement (ISDS) in Africa
- Artificial intelligence, automation, and labour rights in Africa
- Blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and digital assets regulation
- Technology and dispute resolution: online courts, digital arbitration, and mediation
- Technology, climate change, and sustainable development goals
- Business and Human rights in the digital economy
- Technology transfer and capacity-building through international economic law
Relevant submissions outside the listed sub-themes that can enrich the overall theme are also welcome.
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Key dates
Fees
- 20 USD – Global South based students
- 30 USD – Global North based students
- 80 USD – Global South based Academics and Professionals
- 110 USD – Global North based Academics and Professionals
Program
The conference programme will be available as soon as possible.
Off-campus Stay
Rabat presents a wide variety of accommodation options to suit all preferences and budgets. From luxury hotels and riads to cozy bed & breakfasts, you can find an adequate place to stay. Here are few hotel recommendations across different neighborhoods.
| Hassan | Tour Hassan Palace |
| Downtown Rabat | ONOMO Hotel (A shuttle service will be available between Onomo Hotel and the campus every morning and evening during the conference days) |
| Agdal | First Suites Hotel |
On-campus Accommodation
The campus offers a range of accommodation options, including the campus hotel and student residences. Prices vary based on the chosen option. Both are within walking distance of the event venue.
| Residences | Single Room | 150 MAD/Night |
| Studio | 200 MAD/Night | |
| Appart' Hotel | Bed | 1008 MAD/Night |
| Bed & Breakfast | 1224 MAD/Night | |
| Half Board | 1620 MAD/Night | |
| Full Board | 2016 MAD/Night |
1€ = 11 MAD
Shuttle
The campus transport connects UM6P campus and the tramway network via Moulay Abdellah station (terminus of line 2 - Salé).
Frequently Asked Questions
For any questions regarding logistics, please contact the AIRESS Team at:
[email protected]
For any other inquiries, please contact:
[email protected]
Conference Dinner
A gala dinner will be hosted at the hotel restaurant, on campus, offering participants the chance to gather in a relaxed atmosphere.