The Amplifying African Voices for Strategic Action (AFSA) Conference 2025 is set to take place from November 21-27, 2025, at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa. Hosted by the African Centre for the Study of the United States (ACSUS) in partnership with multiple organizations, this conference aims to provide a platform for shaping Africa’s role in global affairs. The event is a side gathering of the G20 Summit, which is being convened by the South African government, and will focus on the theme “Africa in the G20: Advancing Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability.”
The conference builds on the success of the AFSA 2024 held in Nairobi, Kenya, and will feature discussions on various topics, including African agency, climate solutions, AI innovation, trade, and peace-building. Participants will have the opportunity to connect with leading scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to advance African agency in a multipolar world. The conference goals include analyzing the relationships between African nations and external powers, providing alternatives for balanced relationships, and amplifying African voices to influence African priorities in the G20 agendas.
The conference will be structured around keynote speeches, plenary sessions, roundtable discussions, and panel discussions, with sub-themes and tracks focusing on conceptualizing African agency, geopolitics, communicating African agency, and agency through arts and culture. Sponsorship opportunities are available, with benefits including branding and positioning, speaking slots, and acknowledgement as a partner in knowledge production outputs.
The conference is expected to host 300 participants from various regions of Africa, representing universities, think tanks, governmental organizations, diplomatic missions, international organizations, civil society, and businesses. Sponsorship categories range from Platinum to Bronze, with corresponding benefits and investment levels. The conference concept note is available for more details.
The AFSA Conference 2025 is significant as it provides a platform for African voices to be heard and for the continent to shape its role in global affairs. With the G20 Summit as a backdrop, the conference will facilitate vital discussions on African agency, climate solutions, and other key topics, with outcomes to be published in books and journals. As the conference approaches, it is expected to attract significant attention from international stakeholders and provide a unique opportunity for collaboration and knowledge sharing.
