Kampala, April 15, 2026 — The 9th annual Kampala Geopolitics Conference has officially opened today at Makerere University, bringing together a diverse and influential audience of policymakers, scholars, diplomats, students, and members of the public. Running from April 15th to 16th, this year’s conference continues its tradition of fostering candid, grounded conversations about global affairs—and, more importantly, what they mean for Africa.
At its core, the conference is built on a deceptively simple idea: to talk honestly about the world as it actually is. In an era marked by shifting alliances, economic uncertainty, and evolving power dynamics, that mission feels more urgent than ever.
This year, global events have provided no shortage of material. The conference agenda features six carefully curated panels addressing some of the most pressing fault lines in African geopolitics today. These discussions move beyond theory, focusing instead on real-world implications for governments, communities, and the continent’s emerging leaders.
The conversations center on money, economic sovereignty, power, youth, and the future of international cooperation—not as abstract ideas, but as immediate, lived challenges shaping Africa’s trajectory.
One of the standout discussions focuses on the Horn of Africa, a region that continues to sit at the crossroads of cooperation and conflict. The panel will examine whether the Horn is moving toward genuine cooperation or slipping into competitive fragmentation, and whether existing regional mechanisms are strong enough to manage current tensions or simply not built for this moment.
What sets the Kampala Geopolitics Conference apart is its commitment to openness. It is not just a forum for experts, but a space where multiple voices—from seasoned diplomats to students—can engage with complex global issues.
As the conference unfolds over the next two days, it promises not only analysis, but also reflection and debate—helping to shape how Africa understands its place in an increasingly uncertain world.
