The fourth COMESA-IRSK Annual Conference is set to bring together leading voices from across Africa and beyond to examine how regional and continental institutions can respond more effectively to an increasingly fragmented global environment. The three-day conference will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 11 to 13 November 2026.
Organised under the theme “Harnessing Africa’s Continental and Regional Institutions for Peace, Resilience and Transformation Amid a Fragmenting Global Order,” the conference will provide a platform for policymakers, diplomats, academics, business leaders, development partners and civil society representatives to discuss Africa’s institutional priorities and emerging challenges.
A High-Level Platform for Policy Dialogue
Approximately 180 delegates are expected to participate in the conference, representing a wide range of institutions and sectors. Participants will include representatives from:
- African Union institutions
- Regional economic communities
- United Nations agencies
- National governments and policymakers
- Diplomatic missions
- Academic and research institutions
- Business and private-sector organisations
- Civil society organisations
The diverse participation is expected to encourage cross-sectoral dialogue and create opportunities for stakeholders to exchange perspectives on Africa’s regional integration, governance, peace and development priorities.
Conference Organisers and Strategic Partnerships
The conference is being jointly organised by the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the International Relations Society of Kenya (IRSK), the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) Kenya, the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) and the Australian High Commission in Kenya (AHC).
The collaboration brings together regional integration, international relations, peacebuilding, development and diplomatic expertise, strengthening the conference’s capacity to generate practical and policy-relevant discussions.
Key Issues on Africa’s Institutional Agenda
The conference will focus on the ability of Africa’s continental and regional institutions to address complex challenges emerging from a rapidly changing international environment.
Discussions are expected to examine several strategic areas, including:
- Conflict prevention and peacebuilding
- Regional integration and cooperation
- Economic resilience
- Climate governance
- Development financing
- Institutional effectiveness
- Africa’s engagement with the changing global order
- Regional and continental responses to emerging challenges
These discussions are particularly significant as African countries navigate geopolitical uncertainty, economic pressures, climate-related challenges and shifting international partnerships.
Three Days of Knowledge Exchange and Networking
The conference programme will feature a combination of high-level keynote addresses, roundtable discussions, panel sessions and research presentations. Dedicated networking opportunities will also allow participants to establish professional connections and exchange ideas beyond formal sessions.
By bringing researchers, policymakers and practitioners into the same forum, the conference aims to strengthen the connection between research evidence and policy development. The discussions are expected to generate insights that can support more effective institutional responses across Africa.
Actionable Policy Recommendations
A major objective of the fourth COMESA-IRSK Annual Conference is to move beyond dialogue and develop actionable policy recommendations and strategic priorities.
The recommendations will focus on strengthening the capacity of regional and continental institutions to respond to both emerging risks and new opportunities. Following the conference, the outcomes are expected to be shared with COMESA Member States, the African Union, regional economic communities, development partners and other relevant stakeholders.
This approach is intended to ensure that the conference contributes to longer-term policy discussions rather than serving solely as a forum for academic and diplomatic exchange.
Opportunities for Media Participation
The organisers also intend to work with selected media organisations ahead of the conference to encourage informed public discussion around the event’s themes.
Media organisations interested in covering the conference, conducting interviews or collaborating on content production are encouraged to engage with the organisers. Greater media participation is expected to support wider dissemination of the conference’s discussions, recommendations and outcomes.
Why the Conference Matters
The fourth COMESA-IRSK Annual Conference comes at a time when Africa’s regional and continental institutions face growing demands to strengthen cooperation, resilience and collective responses to global disruptions.
By convening approximately 180 stakeholders from government, diplomacy, academia, business, international organisations and civil society, the conference will provide an important platform for examining how Africa can strengthen its institutional architecture and pursue more coordinated responses to contemporary challenges.
The Nairobi gathering will therefore serve as an opportunity to connect research, diplomacy and policymaking, while developing practical recommendations capable of informing future regional and continental strategies.
Conference Details
Event: 4th COMESA-IRSK Annual Conference
Date: 11–13 November 2026
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Theme: Harnessing Africa’s Continental and Regional Institutions for Peace, Resilience and Transformation Amid a Fragmenting Global Order
Expected Participants: Approximately 180 delegates
Focus: Peace, resilience, transformation, regional integration, economic resilience, climate governance, development financing and Africa’s global engagement
