Debates and initiatives on decolonising knowledge in Africa continue to pay significant attention to the need for increased African/indigenous content in the curriculum as well as raising awareness about biases inherent in historically dominant epistemological paradigms. However, there remains a critical gap regarding theories and theorisation as many African academics continue to rely on colonial western theories, models, concepts and paradigms for research and pedagogical purposes. This can be due to a lack of awareness of existing African-centred theories and the dearth of databases focusing on African-centred theories. Most importantly, this continued dependency can be linked to a pedagogical blind spot where idea-formation and theory-building are not emphasised as explicit epistemic objectives and practices for African scholars and students. If this gap remains unfilled, it would be impossible to entrench African epistemologies and decolonise knowledge production in African universities. 

The International African Theory Camp, organised by African experts across the continent, aims to fill this gap. In this camp, attendees familiarise themselves with existing cutting-edge Africa-centred theories in different knowledge fields. More importantly, they focus on the art and science of theory generation as well as how to enhance critical engagement with existing theories from across the world. The camp will include deep-learning activities as well as a hands-on workshop where participants have a chance to present the theoretical aspects of their works-in-progress and receive practical feedback.

The Inaugural International African Theory Camp will be hosted virtually by the University of Zululand South Africa from 15th to 16th October 2025.

The purpose of the camp is:

1. To contribute to the development of African/African-centred theories across knowledge fields

     2. To equip participants with the idea-formation skills and philosophical grammars/tools required for theory-building

     3. To familiarise participants with cutting-edge theoretical advances that are from Africa and that are African-centered

     4. To provide a platform for postgrads/ECRs to get valuable feedback on the theory sections of their ongoing work

     5. To equip participants with curriculum/pedagogical/research development strategies for African universities

Scientific committee

A Akpome, University of Zululand

M Ndlovu, University of Johannesburg

S Ssali, Makerere University

KT Asante, University of Ghana

Participation is free but registeration is required by Friday 10th October 2025. Use the following link: https://forms.office.com/r/jNbuMUNqXg?origin=lprLink .

Please direct your inquiries to: 

      A. Akpome (Akpome@unizulu.ac.za)

      Z. Ntuli (NtuliZ@unizulu.ac.za) 

      N. Mthembu (MthembuNQ@unizulu.ac.za)