College of Business and Management Sciences and the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries

Academia-Industry Collaborative Conference 2026

Theme:
“Bridging Scholarship and Industry: Driving African Industrial Transformation through Innovation, Sustainability, and Enterprise Development”

Dates: 23-24 September 2026
Venue: Africa University, Mutare, Zimbabwe
Organisers: Africa University’s College of Business and Management Sciences in partnership with the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI)

Conference Overview

Africa University (AU), in collaboration with the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI), invites scholars, researchers, industry experts, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and development practitioners to submit papers for the 2026 Academia-Industry Collaborative Conference.

The conference seeks to address the persistent gap between academic research and industrial application in Africa. While African universities continue to produce valuable research, industries often struggle to translate this knowledge into practical innovations that drive productivity, competitiveness, and economic transformation.

This conference provides a platform for co-creation between academia and industry, focusing on transforming research into market-driven solutions, enterprise development, and sustainable industrial growth.

Conference Objectives

• Align academic research with industrial needs across key sectors of the African economy.
• Promote industry-responsive curriculum reform to address skills gaps.
• Facilitate research commercialisation and technology transfer.
• Strengthen policy dialogue between academia, industry, and government.
• Promote entrepreneurship, SMEs, and startup ecosystems.
• Advance sustainable industrialisation and green economy practices.
• Foster regional and continental partnerships that support African industrial transformation.

Conference Sub-Themes

Industrial Skills Development and Curriculum Reform

• Closing skills mismatch gaps in African industries
• Work-integrated learning and apprenticeship models
• Competency-based industrial training systems
• Industry-driven curriculum development

Innovation, Research, Commercialisation, and Technology Transfer

• University industry innovation hubs
• Intellectual property management and technology licensing
• Incubation centres and startup ecosystems
• Translating academic research into market solutions

Industry 4.0, Digital Transformation and Smart Manufacturing

• Automation, artificial intelligence, and smart production systems
• Digital transformation in African manufacturing
• Industrial data analytics and digital platforms
• Cybersecurity and digital infrastructure for industry

Entrepreneurship, SMEs and Industrial Cluster Development

• Youth and women-led industrial enterprises
• SME growth and industrial cluster development

Types of Submissions

• Full academic research papers
• Applied industry research papers
• Policy analysis papers
• Case studies from industry
• Innovation and technology transfer papers

Important Dates

Conference Fee

• Early registration: USD100
• Late registration: USD150

Contact

Dr Farai Chigora: chigoraf@africau.edu
Dr Thomas Masese: maseset@africau.edu
Website: cbmsconference.africau.edu