Kampala Geopolitics Conference

Since 2018, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, in cooperation with the French Embassy in Uganda, Makerere University in Kampala, and Alliance Française Kampala, has organized the annual Kampala Geopolitics Conference. The conference is modelled after the Géopolitiques de Nantes, launched in 2013 by the French Institute for International and Strategic Affairs (IRIS). It is held on the campus of Makerere University in Kampala—one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Sub-Saharan Africa, renowned for having educated numerous African heads of state.

 

Discussions on geopolitical, social, and economic issues in East Africa

The Kampala Geopolitics Conference is a two-day academic event that offers a platform for the discussion of current geopolitical issues. It connects experts and professionals from politics and public administration, journalists, researchers, and students to engage in debates on international, regional, and local matters. In recent years, the conference has attracted an average of 800 to 1,000 participants annually. Through social media coverage and live streaming, the event reaches an audience well beyond Kampala and Uganda.

 

Promoting dialogue by integrating African perspectives

The objective of the conference is to serve as a platform for politically engaged citizens, students, and young professionals to discuss geopolitical topics, exchange ideas, and build networks in the field of international relations. Another key focus is to bring African perspectives into global debates. The panels feature guests from both academia and practice, representing a broad spectrum of expertise from Africa and Europe