Call for Papers: Infra4Dev Conference 2026

The Infrastructure Chief Economist Office (World Bank’s Development Economics Vice Presidency and Infrastructure Vice Presidency) invites paper submissions for the 2026 Infrastructure for Development (Infra4Dev) Conference, to be held in person on June 4–5, 2026, at the University of Nairobi, in Nairobi, Kenya. The conference is organized in partnership with the University of Nairobi and the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC).

Infra4Dev is an annual forum that bridges rigorous economic research with policy and practice. It convenes researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to share evidence, stress-test ideas, and surface concrete policy-relevant insights that can improve the design, financing, and delivery of infrastructure services in developing countries.

The 2026 edition of Infra4Dev will focus on how infrastructure investments translate into jobs and growth. Attendees will address the evidence on what works, under what conditions and at what cost; how successful models can be adapted and scaled; and the policy, regulatory, financing, and institutional frameworks needed to support jobs-rich, inclusive growth.

We invite empirically rigorous, policy-relevant papers, with a strong emphasis on developing country contexts, and this year, a particular interest in submissions focused on Africa. Submissions may address (but are not limited to) the following tracks:

• Impacts of electrification on employment, firms, and household livelihoods
• Job effects of renewable energy deployment and energy-efficiency programs
• The role of regional economic corridors and logistics systems (roads, rail, ports, and airports) in economic growth and job creation
• Last-mile connectivity and inclusive labor market access
• Agglomeration, firm formation, and labor reallocation
• How large-scale demographic changes and urbanization will impact infrastructure needs
• Planning, land use, and municipal finance for jobs-rich urbanization
• Jobs and local development from critical minerals for the energy transition
   

Program Structure

The program will include a mix of contributed sessions with research papers selected from the submissions, invited sessions, and policy panels where academic findings, policy challenges, and lessons will be discussed.

Deadline for Submissions

The deadline for submitting papers is Friday, April 3, 2026. Only full papers will be considered.

Please direct any queries about this call to infra4dev@worldbank.org.

Travel Support and Registration

For accepted papers, and subject to World Bank travel policies and available budget, the World Bank may cover travel and accommodation for one presenter per paper who lacks access to institutional travel funding (for example, junior faculty, PhD students, and faculty based in low‑income countries). Details will be provided upon acceptance. There is no registration fee.

Visit the Infra4Dev Conference 2026 website for more information.