The 10th Africa Unity for Renaissance Conference (AURC), hosted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), will convene on 24 February 2026 at Emperors Palace in Gauteng to explore the theme of “Harnessing Digital Technology and Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development in Africa”. This milestone event focuses on critical dialogues regarding digital infrastructure, policy formation, and the ethical application of AI to transform African societies. We are excited to introduce the distinguished speakers and scholars who will lead these research-based reflections and help shape the future of digital innovation across the continent.
• Dr. Eric R Masese is a senior sociologist and Academic Leader at Moi University in Kenya with over two decades of experience in university teaching and research. His extensive expertise covers youth and family studies, governance, and social equity, supported by more than 30 peer-reviewed publications. Dr. Masese has led numerous high-level research projects funded by international institutions like the NIH and the European Research Council, and he remains dedicated to mentoring the next generation of African scholars through structured research training. Full bio.
• Dr. Allawi Ssemanda is a senior lecturer at African Rural University and the Executive Director of the Development Watch Centre, a leading foreign policy think tank in Uganda. With a PhD in International Relations, his research focuses on foreign policy, diplomacy, and China-Africa cooperation, and he has authored work on the role of BRICS in reshaping the world order. Full bio.
• Dr. Zelda Anne Omasanuwa is an Associate Professor in Production Economics at the University of Port Harcourt with over fifteen years of experience in agricultural research and teaching. Her multidisciplinary work addresses climate change impacts, food security, and sustainable development, and she has been a beneficiary of numerous international research grants. Full bio.
• Ms. Isabel Brenda serves as the Executive Director of Governance Hub Africa and is a recognized expert in governance and democracy with fifteen years of experience. She specializes in institutional accountability and electoral integrity, and she is the founder and host of the platform Diplomacy Unscripted. Full bio.
• Professor Ayobami Ojebode is the Director and Principal Consultant at TRAC Africa, bringing over two decades of experience in research capacity and policy engagement. His work, which includes leadership roles at the Mastercard Foundation, focuses on digital innovation for sustainable development and evidence-to-policy translation. Full bio.
• Professor Davison Munodawafa is a Professor of Community Medicine at Midlands State University and an Adjunct Professor of Global Health at Thammasat University. A retired WHO Regional Adviser, he is a technical expert in health promotion and social behavioral change. Full bio.
• Professor Diran Soumonni is an Associate Professor of Innovation Policy and Management at Wits Business School and an associate researcher in the Tayarisha Centre for Digital Governance. His research centers on comparative science and technology systems, particularly the intersection of sustainable industrialization and digital innovation. Full bio.
• Professor Gorden Moyo is a professor of public policy and the director of the Public Policy & Research Institute of Zimbabwe. A former government minister in Zimbabwe, his extensive publications include recent work on AI surveillance and the contradictions of digital technologies in Africa. Full bio.
• Professor Mammo Muchie is a distinguished Research Professor of Innovation Studies at Tshwane University of Technology and a founding member of AURC. Recognized globally for his work in development economics, he has published over 500 papers and focuses on Africa-centered innovations and digital social shifts. Mammo Muchi.
• Professor Rendani Mamphiswana is the Innovation Director at iCatalysis Hub and a Professor of Practice at the University of Johannesburg. He has extensive experience in 4th Industrial Revolution policy, having served on the South African Presidential Commission for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Full bio.
View the programme here.
Watch the proceedings live:
