Call for Papers: KUDI Volume 1, Issue 1 (2026)

2026-05-08

KUDI: African Journal of Economic Development, a peer-reviewed academic journal dedicated to the study of economic development and structural transformation in Africa, is pleased to invite researchers, academics, and practitioners to submit manuscripts for its inaugural issue (Volume 1, Issue 1). 

KUDI aims to provide a rigorous and accessible platform for research that examines how African economies have developed, transformed, and adapted over time. The journal focuses on the structural, institutional, and sectoral dimensions of development, with particular attention to the African context and realities.

Scope of the Call

The inaugural issue welcomes high-quality contributions that address key aspects of economic development in Africa, including:

  • Structural transformation and sectoral change
  • Industrial development and productive capacity
  • Urbanization and spatial economic dynamics
  • Rural transformation and agricultural development
  • Infrastructure, transport, and energy systems
  • Trade, regional integration, and global value chains
  • Governance, institutions, and development policy
  • Digitalization, sustainability, and emerging development pathways

Submissions should provide clear analytical, empirical, or policy-orientated insights and demonstrate strong academic quality in their writing.

Target Contributors

The journal welcomes submissions from:

  • Researchers and academics
  • PhD candidates and early-career scholars
  • Policymakers and public sector professionals
  • Think tanks and research institutions
  • Development practitioners and consultants

Types of Submissions

  • Research Articles
  • Review Articles
  • Policy Papers

 Language

Submissions are accepted in

  • English
  • Arabic. 

 Review and Publication

All submissions undergo a double-blind peer-review process to ensure academic quality and integrity. The journal is published twice a year with a strong emphasis on quality, clarity, and relevance.

Publication Model

KUDI is an open access journal and is free to all readers. Submitting an article is also free for all authors during the initial phase of this journal (2026-2027). After this phase, a publication fee policy will be introduced where a modest publication fee will be applied to international authors (from non-African institutions), while Alafarika, the publisher, looks for partnership and institutional sponsorship to make publication free and accessible for African authors (from African institutions).

For more about the submission policy:

https://journals.alafarika.com/KUDI/en/about

Submission

  • Authors are invited to submit a full manuscript (6500–7500 words) with:
  • ·       Full title page (including name, institutional affiliation, contact, abstract, and keywords)
  • ·       An abstract of 200–300 words
  • ·       4 to 6 keywords.
  • ·       Declarations/Acknowledgments
  • ·       References in the APA 7th edition.
  • ·       Appendix

Deadline for submitting papers

  • June 25, 2026
  • Authors whose manuscripts pass the first stage will be notified, and their manuscripts will be sent to the reviewers.

Manuscripts should be submitted through the journal’s online platform:

https://journals.alafarika.com/KUDI/en/about/submissions

Contact

For further information, please contact

[email protected]

The inaugural issue of KUDI aims to establish a strong academic foundation for research on Africa’s economic development. Authors are encouraged to submit high-quality work that contributes to a deeper and more structured understanding of the continent’s development processes.