The University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Department of Commercial Accounting (DCA) has been selected to host the 15th African Accounting and Finance Association (AAFA) Annual Conference in 2026, marking a major milestone in the department’s history.
The announcement was made at the 14th AAFA Conference Annual General Meeting held in Kampala, Uganda, on Thursday, 4 September 2025. The AAFA Conference is one of the continent’s most respected gatherings of scholars, policymakers, and industry leaders in accounting and finance. It attracts hundreds of delegates from across Africa and beyond, serving as a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, groundbreaking research, and collaboration on pressing financial and economic challenges.
UJ recognised for Africa-focused leadership
Professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UJ, described the selection as a proud moment for the university.
“This platform will allow us to showcase our leadership in accounting and finance education and foster dialogue that drives real impact for communities across our continent. At UJ, we are committed to co-creating knowledge that is not only academically rigorous but also socially impactful. This platform will allow us to amplify African voices in global debates and to shape solutions that are both innovative and home-grown,” said Prof Mpedi.
Prof Tankiso Moloi, Executive Dean of the College of Business and Economics, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the milestone as both an honour and a responsibility. He commended the contributions of UJ’s leadership team, including Prof Ben Marx, Director of the School of Accounting, Ms Boitumelo Kuzwayo, Head of the Department of Commercial Accounting, and Ms Lulama Boyce, Senior Lecturer.
“The confidence shown in UJ is a testament to our ability to convene critical conversations in the profession and foster collaboration for sustainable African solutions,” Prof Moloi said. “This event will inspire the next generation of African scholars and professionals through dialogue and innovation.”
Celebrating DCA excellence
The conference announcement coincided with a string of accolades for UJ’s Department of Commercial Accounting at the Kampala event.
Lulama Boyce, Senior Lecturer, was elected to the AAFA Executive Committee as Regional Representative for Southern Africa.
Boitumelo Kuzwayo, Head of Department, won Best Paper Award for her research on sustainability reporting and ESG disclosures.
Lonah Mbhalati, Senior Lecturer, received the Best Emerging Scholar Paper Award for her work on developing a framework for community engagement reporting in universities.
These recognitions showcase the exceptional talent and scholarship within the department, reinforcing UJ’s growing role in advancing Africa-focused accounting and finance research.
Looking ahead to 2026
Dr Sedzani Musundwa, Senior Lecturer at UNISA and current AAFA Southern Africa Region Representative, emphasised the importance of the 2026 gathering.
“Academics have a crucial role in bridging research, practice, and societal needs. The AAFA 2026 Conference at UJ will provide transformative opportunities to connect scholarship with solutions that matter to communities,” she said.
UJ’s selection as host underscores its standing as one of Africa’s leading higher education institutions, recognised for driving research, capacity building, and international collaboration.
