About the Conference

The DII–2026 conference is part of the established DII conference series on Infrastructure Development and Investment. It provides a forum for leaders, researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders in infrastructure development to discuss, evaluate, and devise ways of maximising the benefits of infrastructure delivery — generating outputs that inform policy and broader development goals across Africa and beyond.

Hosted in Blantyre by MUBAS in partnership with the University of Johannesburg and CARINBE, DII–2026 convenes academic and industry voices around the urgent question of how infrastructure can serve a new era defined by climate resilience, technological innovation, and cross-border investment partnerships.

Conference Tracks & Topics

Original contributions are invited across the following thematic clusters:

SUSTAINABILITY & CLIMATE

1. Sustainability in infrastructure development
2. Climate change, shock events & water resources
3. Environmental and waste management
4. Renewable energy
5. Circular economy in construction

INNOVATION & DIGITAL

1. BIM, digital twins, mixed reality & 3D printing
2. Smart infrastructure and cities
3. Construction innovation
4. Quality and resilient infrastructure

INVESTMENT & COST

1. Mega projects
2. Infrastructure investment — trends & forecasts
3. Investment and finance
4. Construction cost management
5. Lean construction and value engineering
6. Supply chain management

PEOPLE, EQUITY & SAFETY

1. Construction ergonomics, health & safety
2. Gender equity, empowerment & development
3. Social justice and inequality in construction
4. Construction materials & ethical issues

Postgraduate Track (Masters & PhD)

The DII Conference is mandated to promote research and collaboration in Africa. Papers, research proposals, and PhD posters from postgraduate students are warmly invited on issues relating to Development and Investment in Infrastructure. A dedicated PhD poster session will run alongside the main paper presentations.

Important Dates

Abstract submission deadline: 31 March 2026

Notification of abstract decisions: 8 April 2026

Conference registration opens: 10 May 2026

Full paper submission deadline: 10 June 2026

Notification of full paper decisions: 20 June 2026

Final (camera-ready) paper submission: 30 June 2026

PhD poster submission deadline: 1 July 2026

Conference dates: 10 – 12 August 2026

Paper Submission

Submit your paper via: https://app.oxfordabstracts.com/stages/80990/submitter

Submission Guidelines

Abstract: 150 words maximum, including up to 5 keywords.

Full paper: limited to 10 pages, including figures, tables, and references.

Review process: all abstracts and papers undergo double-blind peer review; reviewer comments are returned to authors.

Final acceptance requires (a) submission of a revised manuscript addressing reviewers' comments, (b) registration of at least one author, and (c) submission of signed copyright forms.

Presentation: at least one author per paper must register and present at the conference for inclusion in the proceedings.

Registration Fees

International authors: $300

Co-authors: $100

Non authors/conference delegates: $100

Malawian Students: MK150,000

Malawian Authors: MK350,000

Malawian Delegates: MK450,000