Published on March 27, 2026 – Updated on March 30, 2026
The Foundation for Studies and Research on International Development (FERDI), the Global Development Network (GDN), the African Center for Equitable Development (ACED), the CERDI (Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, IRD), and the African School of Economics are organizing the first edition of a forum dedicated to strengthening research and knowledge production and contribution to digital transformations in West Africa. The event will take place in Cotonou (Benin) between 7th and 10th July 2026 (final dates TBC soon), and is supported by the Clermont-Ferrand International Development Hub (PCDI).

This call is open to research papers on the macro and micro aspects of digitalization in Sub-Saharan Africa, written by junior researchers who are nationals of an African country and are currently pursuing a PhD, or who have obtained a PhD within the last five years.

Possible themes covered are, but not confined to, the following:
  • Socio-economic impacts of connectivity infrastructures;
  • Digital platforms and financial/labour/input/produce markets functioning;
  • Digital technology diffusion and gender equality;
  • Access to digital financial services and food security;
  • Digitalization, institutional and cultural changes;
  • Digital regulations, AI adoption, and development paths;
  • General-equilibrium and spillover effects of digital technologies;
  • Digitalization, production networks and trade linkages;
  • Enabling factors for digital transformation.
Our researchers – Théophile Azomahou, Simone Bertoli, Pierre Biscaye, Vianney Dequiedt, and Jordan Loper (CERDI, UCA) – are members of the Scientific Committee. They will participate in the evaluation of the submitted proposals.

Deadline for submission : 3 May 2026.

More information: Conference website.