Distinguished Africa Lecture 2026

The Distinguished Africa Lecture 2026, brings together global scholarship, critical debate, and future facing ideas as part of one of Warwick’s most anticipated annual events. This year’s programme invites the University community to engage with urgent questions at the intersection of Africa, global knowledge systems, and technological change.

The event will open with Warwick’s annual Africa Panel Discussion, creating a space for open and rigorous dialogue on the theme Towards Impactful and Equitable Partnerships between Universities in the Global North and South: Issues, Challenges and Actions. Drawing on perspectives from across academia and policy, the discussion will examine how international partnerships can move beyond transactional models towards relationships grounded in shared value, trust, and long term impact.

Following the panel discussion, the evening will culminate in the Distinguished Africa Lecture 2026, delivered by Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice Chancellor of the University of Ghana, titled Whose Language Counts? African Voices, Knowledge Systems and the Future of AI. Drawing on her dual perspective as both a linguist and a university leader, Professor Amfo will examine how African languages and knowledge systems can shape a more fair and inclusive future for artificial intelligence, highlighting the importance of linguistic diversity and culturally grounded approaches to technological development.

Registration is available below on a first come, first served basis, and early sign up is strongly encouraged.

Panel Discussion

“Towards Impactful and Equitable Partnerships between Universities in the Global North and South: Issues, Challenges and Actions.”

Thursday 11th June 2026, 14:00-15:30Hosted by Professor Michael Scott, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International)University of Warwick Panellists:

Professor Cristina D'Alessandro, Responsible for Statistical Cooperation with sub-Saharan Africa, French National Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE), Paris, and Professor at Sciences-Po, Paris
Professor Christine Ennew OBE, Vice-Chair Board of Governors, Harper Adams University and former Provost University of Warwick
Professor Paramjit Gill, Co-Lead, Africa-Europe CoRE on Multimorbidity, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick
Professor Ambreena Manji, Dean of International for Africa, Cardiff University
Professor Jan Palmowski, Secretary-General of The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities

Academic cooperation between universities in the global North and South has expanded significantly in recent years. Attention has increasingly focused on how to build partnerships that are equitable, inclusive, and impact driven, moving beyond transactional models towards collaborations based on mutual benefit, trust, and shared value.The discussion explores how universities can develop frameworks that support capacity building, fair research practices, and long term impact, while navigating funding constraints, talent mobility, and complex geopolitical contexts shaping international collaboration.

Distinguished Africa Lecture

‘Whose Language Counts? African Voices, Knowledge Systems and the Future of AI’.

Thursday 11th June 2026, 16:15-17:30

Hosted by Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Warwick

Speaker:

Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice Chancellor, University of Ghana

The session will showcase initiatives currently underway across the continent, particularly pioneering work at the University of Ghana, and present a positive, forward‑looking narrative of African innovation. It will also invite global partnerships to help co‑create multilingual, culturally informed AI systems.

Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo

Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo is the first female Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana and a Professor of Linguistics. With close to two and a half decades of service in academia and university administration, she is widely recognised for her innovation, resourcefulness, and inclusive leadership. Her vision is anchored in two core principles: harnessing technology as an enabler and advancing human welfare across all operations of the University.

Appointed Vice-Chancellor in October 2021, after serving briefly as Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Amfo previously held several key academic and administrative roles, including Pro Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, Founding Dean of the School of Languages, and Head of the Department of Linguistics. She has played a significant role in the governance of the University through service on numerous statutory, strategic, and advisory boards and committees. She currently chairs the Academic Board, Business and Executive Committee, and the Appointments and Promotions Board, among others.

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Africa Partnerships Team

We connect Warwick with African universities through our Africa Partnerships Strategy. Led by Academic Directors for Africa, Professor Franklyn Lisk and Professor Dan Branch, the strategy addresses global challenges and supports the development of the region’s research and education leaders.

Supporting the Academic Directors for Africa, Prof Lisk and Prof Dan Branch, the Partnerships Team are here to help facilitate partnership development across Africa.

Corrina Greenwood

International Partnerships Manager

International Strategy and Relations

corrina.greenwood@warwick.ac.uk

Laura Townsend

International Partnerships Officer

International Strategy and Relations

L.Townsend@warwick.ac.uk