Foreword

Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar (UCAD) is pleased to announce the organization of the third International Economic Conference of Dakar (CEID) on May 30th and 31st, 2024 in Dakar. This conference is organized in collaboration with the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (Morocco) and will focus on the central theme « Energy Transition and Gender Equality: Catalyzing Change in Africa through Inclusive Development Policies»

The first CEID was organized in March 2022 in close collaboration with the University of Montreal under the theme "Towards a Resilient, Green, and Inclusive Economy." The second was organized in May 2023 with the support of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). Its central theme was « Improving Targeting of Public Policies for a Strong, Inclusive, and Job-Creating Economy in Africa. ».

Both editions were placed under the high patronage of His Excellency Mr. Macky Sall, President of the Republic of Senegal. They brought together more than five hundred panelists, speakers, and young entrepreneurs from 26 countries who were able to share their expertise and research on various topics of interest for development policies in Africa.

The opening ceremony of the 2023 conference was presided over by Mr. Amadou Ba, Prime Minister of Senegal, in the presence of Mr. Moussa Balde, Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, as well as several personalities and dignitaries including several ambassadors and representatives of international organizations in Senegal.

The CEID benefits from the support of several national and international partners concerned with sustainable and inclusive development in Africa. Among the partners who joined the 2023 edition, we mention: the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), the African and Malagasy Council for Higher Education (CAMES), the Conference of Ministers of Youth and Sports of La Francophonie (CONFEJES), the French Development Agency (AFD), the National Confederation of Employers of Senegal (CNES), and the International Youth Offices of Quebec Les Offices jeunesse internationaux du Québec (LOJIQ). This strong backing underscores the conference's significance as a platform fostering the federation of Africa's economic and social forces to better grasp challenges and identify growth-promoting mechanisms that generate employment while mitigating poverty and inequality across the continent.

Building on the great success of the first two editions of the CEID, we expect to gather even more partners and participants in 2024.

Theme of 2024

The evolving global energy needs have sparked growing interest in energy transition, a process aimed at transforming traditional energy systems towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives. This transition has become imperative in the face of challenges such as climate change, depletion of fossil resources, and the need to ensure equitable access to energy for all.

In this context, Africa is emerging as a key player in the global energy transition. The continent faces unique energy challenges, such as limited electricity access in certain regions, reliance on fossil and traditional fuels, and the impacts of climate change. However, these challenges also present opportunities to rethink the energy and development models in Africa in an inclusive, sustainable, and innovative way to ensure equitable access to economic opportunities.
Indeed, energy transition is crucial not only to ensure sustainable energy supply but also to integrate gender dimensions into development policies. It is essential to recognize the differential impact of this transition and public policies in general on men and women in the African context.
In many cases, traditional gender roles can influence how development policies are designed and implemented. For example, women are often responsible for managing domestic energy resources, such as collecting firewood and preparing meals, which can expose them to health and environmental risks. Transitioning to cleaner energy can improve women's health and free up time for other economic and educational activities that can improve their socio-economic status and that of their families and communities.

Thus, development policies in Africa must evolve to reflect the diverse reality of African societies, where men and women play distinct and complementary roles.

The 3rd CEID aims to be a forum for discussing the key challenges of energy transition in Africa and the crucial role of this continent in the global transition. It will examine global initiatives promoting renewable energies, energy efficiency, and clean technologies while analyzing how Africa can leverage these advancements to drive its energy development in a socially just and environmentally responsible manner.

Furthermore, Africa will achieve sustainable development only if it integrates a systematic gender perspective into its development policies. This will not only promote women's economic empowerment and gender equality but also maximize the social, economic, and environmental benefits of the policies in question.

The discussions and exchanges during the conference will thus examine the challenges, opportunities, and recommendations for sustainable, inclusive, and gender-sensitive development policies.

Format

The program of the 2024 conference will be rich and varied to foster exchanges of experiences, mobilization, and knowledge sharing, as well as networking. It will include:

• Plenary sessions featuring keynote speakers of international renown
• Roundtable discussions led by experts from various backgrounds
• Special sessions to present the work of invited researchers
• Open sessions for researchers from all backgrounds
• A youth and women entrepreneurship fair
• Training workshops
• Other activities.

Papers submission

Researchers wishing to present a paper at the 3rd CEID must submit a proposal by April 7 2024.

All topics of interest for economic and social policies will be considered. Researchers, students, and practitioners from all disciplines and backgrounds are invited to submit a proposal to present and disseminate the results of their work. The participation of women and youth is strongly encouraged, as well as submissions that incorporate a gender perspective.

You will receive a confirmation of receipt of your proposal within 48 hours after submission. If needed, please contact the organizers via email at: info-ceid@ucad.edu.sn.

Submissions will be evaluated by the conference's scientific committee based on quality, originality, and clarity. Decisions will be communicated before April 15, 2024.

Accepted speakers must submit the full text of their paper (3,000 to 7,000 words) and register for the conference by May 16, 2024. Otherwise, their presentation will not be included in the program.

Conference Registration

Conference registration is mandatory for all participants. The registration fees are USD 30 for students, USD 60 for other presenters, and USD 120 for participants without presentations. These fees cover documentation, coffee breaks, and lunches during the two days of the conference. A recent enrollment certificate in a study program will be required to benefit from the student rate. The registration link will be provided at the beginning of April.
Please note that travel and accommodation expenses in Dakar are the responsibility of the participants.

Conference Proceedings

Papers presented at the conference and meeting the standards set by the scientific committee will be published in the conference proceedings. Only researchers who accept will have their papers published.

Subsequently, about twenty of these papers will be selected – after anonymous peer review – for publication in a special issue of a peer-reviewed journal or a collective book.

Organizing Committee

Scientific Committee