Call for Papers

Paper submissions are invited for IST-Africa 2027.

The conference language is English and submissions should be for technical or visionary papers, and business or government case studies within the scope of the conference. See IST-Africa Editorial Policy

Paper Structure and Deadline

Full Papers (8 - 10 pages including references, c.4,000 words) using the IST-Africa Template must be registered on the conference portal by the deadline of 31 October 2026.

Please refer to Paper Guidelines for more information.

Please download the updated IST-Africa Paper Template prior to commencing to prepare your paper.

Papers must present analysis of initial or final research results or a case study. General project descriptions and AI-generated papers are not appropriate.

It is important to highlight actual or expected impact as well as the level of innovation. Any elements of the paper previously published should be carefully referenced.

It is necessary for papers submitted to include new elements that have not previously been published to warrant inclusion in the conference proceedings.

Any visionary elements in paper should be supported by mini use cases to illustrate applicability.

Papers should not be submitted to other conferences or journals while under review. See IST-Africa Publication Ethics and Publication Malpractice Statement

Double Blind peer Review

As all papers will be double blind peer reviewed by the IST-Africa 2027 Programme Committee, please ensure that no contact details are provided within the text or Properties of the paper submitted.

All author details should be submitted online in the Author List as part of the Submission Process - including the name and organisation for the author submitting the paper.

Referencing

Any elements of the paper previously published should be carefully referenced. Please ensure that all previously published author and third party content is appropriately referenced.

All papers are checked for plagiarism prior to being assigned for review.

Only full papers prepared using the IST-Africa paper template of up to 4,000 words (8 - 10 pages including references) will be assigned for review.

Any use of content generated by Artificial Intelligence

Intellectual content (including research ideas), research data (including data collection where appropriate), methodological design, analysis and discussion of results (including interpretation of findings) as well as conclusions should be developed independently by authors.

Any use of Artificial Intelligence (including but not limited to Generative-AI) must be appropriate and fully disclosed in the Acknowledgements section of the paper (including the specific AI tool used).

A non-native speaker may explain how they used a specific tool for language refinement (e.g. grammar, spelling) and stylistic editing purposes.

Where Artificial Intelligence (including but not limited to Generative-AI) has not been used, a declaration that "there has been no use of content generated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) (including but not limited to text, figures, images, and code)" is appropriate.

Where AI has been used for any other content related purposes (e.g. generation of figures, image, text, sample code), this must be transparently disclosed, including the specific tools used and for what purpose.

Authors have full and sole responsibility for the scientific content and originality of their work. See IST-Africa GenAI Policy

AI-generated papers should not be submitted. Where such papers are identified, they will be subject to rejection or withdrawal.

Programme / Proceedings

Each presenter can present ONE paper in the Programme. It is necessary for papers to be physically presented by an author / co-author during the event to ensure inclusion in the Proceedings.

Please only submit papers for review where there are authors/co-authors who will complete registration if accepted for inclusion in the Programme and present the results. Please do not submit multiple papers for which there is only one author who can register.

General Conditions associated with paper submission

By submitting a paper for double blind peer review for consideration of inclusion in the IST-Africa Conference Programme and Proceedings, the author is confirming that:

(a) content submitted is the original work product of the authors/co-authors with any third party content appropriate referenced;

(b) Each author listed in a paper has made a substantial contribution and has approved the paper versions submitted for review and publication.

(c) Papers present analysis of initial or final research results or a case study;

(d) Papers submitted include new elements that have not previously been published to warrant inclusion in the conference proceedings;

(e) Any use of AI is appropriate and ethical and has been fully disclosed in the Acknowledgements section of the paper - See IST-Africa GenAI Policy

(f) Authors will act on feedback and comments provided by the International Programme Committee (IPC) to ensure high quality conference proceedings;

(g) Presenters will act on feedback provided by their Session Chair to ensure high quality presentations; and

(h) Presenters will register and pay the participant's fee by 14 March 2027, before the publication of the Final Programme.

Click here to download the Call for Papers brochure.

Click here to submit a full paper for review.

Publishing schedule for IST-Africa 2026

- Draft Full Paper submitted by deadline of 31 October 2026

- Provisional acceptance of draft full papers with IPC feedback by 31 January 2027

- Final papers to be delivered electronically by 28 February 2027 for editorial review and quality check