Against this backdrop, Nelson Mandela University hosted the 2026 Australia–Africa Universities Network (AAUN) Africa Conference from 8 to 11 June under the theme Circular Economies for Inclusive and Sustainable Futures.
The conference brought together researchers, policymakers, industry leaders and emerging scholars to explore how circular economy (CE) principles can support more inclusive and sustainable development across Africa and Australia.
A circular economy is a model of production and consumption that promotes sharing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling materials and products for as long as possible. It is increasingly recognised as a key approach to addressing sustainability challenges.
Opening the conference, Nelson Mandela University Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Internationalisation, Prof Azwinndini Muronga, challenged academics to ensure their research addresses pressing societal issues.
He encouraged delegates to move beyond producing knowledge by using research and partnerships to tackle complex challenges and help build sustainable futures.
Established in 2012, the AAUN provides a collaborative platform for joint research, capacity building and policy engagement to address global challenges.
The importance of collaboration and inclusive policy frameworks was echoed throughout the conference.
"We need strong institutions that will translate ideas into solutions, new models of value systems. A CE cannot succeed if it only services a narrow sect of society – inclusion must be built into aligning research and policy," said Tegan Brink, High Commissioner of Australia to South Africa.
Dr Priscilla Mensah right, Director of Research Development at Nelson Mandela University and a member of the AAUN steering committee, said the conference also highlighted an often-overlooked dimension of sustainability: the role of creativity, culture and storytelling.
"Sustainable futures are not shaped by technology and policy alone. They are also influenced by the stories societies tell, the values they hold, and the ways in which people imagine alternative futures. From fashion and design to film, music and cultural heritage, the creative economy has an important role to play in shaping more sustainable and inclusive societies," she said.
The four-day programme featured keynote lectures, masterclasses and parallel sessions focused on translating circular economy theory into practical solutions. Discussions covered food systems, water management, renewable energy, health, the built environment, innovation ecosystems and the creative economy.
Dr Mensah said the circular economy extends far beyond waste management, requiring a fundamental rethink of how societies create value and use resources.
She said the conference was not only about sharing success stories, but also confronting implementation challenges, including barriers to circular economy transitions, ensuring social inclusion, adapting global ideas to local realities and building partnerships capable of turning ambition into action.
The focus on practical collaboration was reflected in a keynote address by Global Careers Africa Australia CEO Ross Stewart, titled Building Inclusive Workforce Ecosystems for Circular Futures. Stewart outlined a model positioning Africa as a solution to global workforce shortages while addressing the continent's growing youth unemployment.
"The rest of the world is getting older, and not reproducing at a rate to make any difference. In the USA alone, 10,000 baby boomers are retiring every day. China – the second most populous country on the planet – will reduce its population by more than 50% by the end of the century. Africa has the people; the world has the demand; what's been missing is the connective infrastructure," Stewart said.
He noted that around 100 million new job seekers are expected to enter Africa's workforce by 2030, while only about 15 million jobs are projected to be created over the same period.
"We need systems that increase employability and visibility, enabling Africa's youth to compete in the international market," he said.
Stewart said one initiative aimed at bridging this gap is the Elevate Africa Alliance (EAA), which connects tertiary-educated African graduates with international remote employment opportunities while allowing them to remain in their home countries.
"When a young African professional moves from unemployment into formal work, something important happens beyond the salary," Stewart said. "Their income circulates locally, funding housing, education, healthcare and services, while strengthening the tax base that supports future development. But only if that talent stays on the continent."
He explained that the EAA combines a demand-led talent pipeline, verified skills infrastructure and a partnership with the World Employment Confederation, representing 49 national federations and more than 61 million annual placements globally. The model is designed to respond to international labour market demand while creating sustainable employment opportunities for African graduates.
Stewart also emphasised the importance of stronger institutional partnerships, saying employment outcome data generated through the initiative could help researchers, policymakers and universities better understand labour market trends and align graduate skills with global demand.
"Africa's universities are producing the talent the global economy needs," Stewart said. "The barrier is not quality – it is the absence of trusted, scalable pathways that connect graduates to international opportunities while keeping them rooted in their communities."
He concluded by calling on African universities to play a greater role in developing those pathways, arguing that stronger collaboration between higher education institutions, industry and policymakers could unlock employment opportunities while supporting sustainable economic growth across the continent.