PEP 31d ago

Rethinking the Future of Innovation: What It Takes for Systems to Deliver in the Global South The 2026 Policy Conference will focus on innovation as a development imperative for the Global South. Innovation is no longer optional — it is the fault line shaping development futures across the Global South. Sub-Saharan Africa, in particular, confronts overlapping shocks: economic volatility, climate disruption, demographic surges, and technological upheaval. In this landscape, innovation capacity is not just a determinant of growth, but the lever that decides whether societies generate jobs, diversify production, strengthen state capability, and withstand crises. This year’s conference asks: how can African and Southern economies harness innovation as both imperative and opportunity in charting their development trajectories? Find the full programme at https://www.pep-net.org/annual-conferences/2026-annual-conference#policy-conference