Submissions

Author Guidelines

1. General Principles

KUDI publishes original, high-quality, peer-reviewed research that contributes to the understanding of economic transformation in Africa. Submissions must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere. The journal prioritises clarity, methodological rigour, and relevance to African economic realities.

The journal accepts manuscripts in English and Arabic. Authors must ensure that their submission is written in clear, professional academic language. Manuscripts that do not meet minimum language or presentation standards may be rejected at the initial screening stage.

2. Authorship and Eligibility

KUDI distinguishes between African authors and international authors for policy and publication purposes:

• African Authors: Must be citizens of an African Union country and reside in Africa or have an active affiliation to an African-based institution (e.g., university, research centre, policy institution).
• International Authors: Include authors affiliated with institutions outside Africa, regardless of nationality. African nationals affiliated with non-African institutions are classified as international authors.

In multi-authored papers, classification is based on the corresponding author’s affiliation.

3. Types of Manuscripts

KUDI accepts the following categories:

• Research Articles (primary category): original theoretical or empirical studies
• Review Articles: systematic or critical reviews of literature
• Policy Papers: evidence-based policy analyses and recommendations

Editorials or opinion pieces are accepted only by invitation.

4. Manuscript Length

• Research Articles: 6,000–8,000 words
• Review Articles: up to 8,500 words
• Policy Papers: 3,000–5,000 words

Word count includes references, tables, and figures.

5. Manuscript Structure

All submissions must follow a clear and standard academic structure:

1. Title
2. Abstract (150–250 words)
3. Keywords (5–7)
4. Introduction
5. Literature Review
6. Methodology
7. Results
8. Discussion
9. Conclusion and Policy Implications
10. References

Appendices may be included where necessary.

6. Formatting Requirements

Manuscripts must comply with the following formatting standards:

• File format: Microsoft Word (.docx)
• Font: Times New Roman, size 12
• Line spacing: 1.5
• Margins: standard (2.5 cm / 1 inch)
• Alignment: justified
• Page numbers: bottom centre or right

Submissions must be clean, consistent, and ready for peer review. Poorly formatted manuscripts may be returned for revision prior to review.

7. Tables and Figures

Tables and figures must be embedded within the main anonymous manuscript at appropriate points in the text (not submitted as separate files unless requested).

Authors must ensure:

• Each table and figure is clearly numbered (e.g., Table 1, Figure 1)
• Titles are concise and descriptive
• Sources are properly cited below each table or figure
• Units of measurement and variables are clearly defined
• Figures are high resolution and readable in greyscale. 
• No identifying information (e.g., author names, institutional logos) appears in figures or tables

Tables should be editable (not images), and figures should be clear and professionally presented. Excessively complex or unreadable visuals may lead to revision requests.

8. Referencing Style

KUDI uses APA (7th edition) or an equivalent author-date referencing style.

• In-text citations: (Author, Year)
• Multiple citations: (Author, Year; Author, Year)
• Reference list: alphabetical order

All references must be complete, accurate, and consistently formatted.

9. Submission Process

All manuscripts must be submitted through the journal’s online system (OJS).

The submission process includes the following:

1. Upload of anonymised manuscript
2. Upload of separate title page (author details)
3. Initial editorial screening
4. Peer review process
5. Revision (if required)
6. Final decision
7. Copyediting and typesetting
8. Author proof approval

Authors will be notified at each stage of the process.

10. Double-Blind Review Requirements

To ensure a fair review process, manuscripts must be fully anonymised:

• Remove author names, affiliations, and acknowledgements
• Avoid self-identifying references
• Use neutral phrasing when citing own work

A separate title page must include:

• Full author names
• Institutional affiliations
• Corresponding author details
• ORCID (if available)

11. Language and Quality Standards

Manuscripts must demonstrate:

• Clear and professional academic writing
• Logical structure and coherence
• Consistent terminology
• Proper grammar and syntax

Authors are strongly encouraged to ensure high language quality prior to submission, including the use of professional editing services where necessary.

Following acceptance, the editorial team may require professional proofreading or language editing as a condition for publication, depending on the manuscript’s level of readiness. This ensures that all published articles meet the journal’s standards of clarity, consistency, and academic quality.

12. Ethical Requirements

KUDI adheres to strict ethical standards in academic publishing:

• All submissions are screened for plagiarism
• Proper citation and attribution are mandatory
• Data must be accurate and not manipulated
• Conflicts of interest must be disclosed

The journal follows internationally recognised standards, including those of the Committee on Publication Ethics, and complies with applicable Nigerian laws and relevant regional and global regulations.

13. Open Access and Fees

The authors retain their publication rights while granting the journal an electronic distribution licence. All articles are published under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) licence.

The publisher Alafarika adopts open access for all its journals, thus committing to making research accessible to all readers and researchers, without financial barriers.

• Submitting articles is free for authors during the initial phase of this journal (2026-2027).
• For international authors (non-African authors affiliated with non-African institutions), a publication fee (APC) will be applied when submitting the submission fee.
• For African authors (authors affiliated with African institutions), submission fees will be moderate upon introduction and designed to support researchers from low-income African countries while maintaining high publication standards, supporting the peer review process, and compensating reviewers.
• Alafarika is also in constant contact with organisations and foundations to help African authors offset publication costs and thus make submission free for all Africans.

14. Author Responsibilities

Authors are responsible for:

• Ensuring originality and accuracy of their work
• Properly citing all sources
• Obtaining permissions for copyrighted materials
• Responding to reviewer comments professionally and promptly
• Reviewing and approving final proofs before publication

15. Final Notes

Authors are strongly encouraged to submit works that:

• Aligns with the journal’s focus on economic transformation in Africa
• Demonstrates clear theoretical, empirical, or policy contributions
• Reflects African economic realities and contexts
• Applies rigorous and appropriate methodologies

Manuscripts that are purely descriptive or lack analytical depth may be rejected at the initial screening stage.