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3rd Global Climate Finance Conference 2026

 

Conference Theme: "Mobilising Capital for a Just and Resilient Net-Zero World"

October 29 – 30, 2026

Cape Town, South Africa

We invite scholars, researchers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, financial experts, and climate advocates to submit original research papers, case studies, and presentations for the Wits Global Climate Finance Conference. This international conference is dedicated to advancing the discourse on Climate Finance and its pivotal role in addressing global environmental challenges and fostering sustainable development.


Organising Committee:
  • Moinak Maiti, Associate Professor, Wits & FirstRand Foundation Chair in Financial Data Science (Conference Chair)
  • Chimwemwe Chipeta, Professor, Wits & Director Fintech Hub (Conference Co-Chair)
  • Christo Auret, Professor, Wits & Editor-in-Chief of Invest Analysts Journal
  • Gary van Vuuren, Distinguished Professor, Wits & International Banker
  • Yudhvir Seetharam, Associate Professor, Wits & Head of Analytics, Insights and Research for FNB
  • Daniel Page, Associate Professor, Wits & Head of Quants at 27 four Investment Managers
Submission Guidelines:
  • Paper Submission: Authors are invited to submit their abstracts/papers (abstract/full papers, research-in-progress, and case studies) electronically through the conference management system. Submit paper here
  • Review Process: Submitted papers will undergo a rigorous peer review process.
  • Paper Submission Deadline: [02 September 2026]
  • Registration Deadline: [16 September 2026] Register here
Distinguished Speakers
Prof. Patrick McSharry
Research Professor at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Research Fellow at the Kigali Collaborative Research Centre (KCRC), Strategic Advisor to the World Bank funded African Centre of Excellence in Data Science (ACE-DS)
Prof. Aristides Samitas

Vice-Rector and Professor of Finance and Development, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
Kuben Naidoo

Head Corporate Payments Channel in the Business and Commercial Banking Division, Investec

Ex-Deputy Governor of the South African Reserve Bank (2015 to 2023)

Ex-CEO of the Prudential Authority (2017 to 2022)

Serves as a member of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council and the G20 Commission on the Cost of Capital in Africa

 

Topics of interest (but not limited to):
  • AI and Machine Learning for Optimizing Sustainable Investments
  • AI, & Quantum Computing Applications in Climate Finance Modeling
  • Blockchain and IoT for Transparent Carbon Credit Markets
  • Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS): Techno-Economic Feasibility
  • Carbon Markets and Pricing
  • Circular Economy and Sustainable Supply Chain Finance
  • Climate Data Analytics and Predictive Modeling
  • Climate Finance Trends and Global Overview
  • Climate Risk Assessment and Management
  • Climate-Resilient Infrastructure Finance
  • Decarbonizing Industrial Processes Through Innovative Technologies
  • Digital Twins for Sustainable Infrastructure Financing
  • Economic Impact of Climate Finance
  • Energy Systems Modeling for a Carbon-Neutral Economy
  • Green Bonds and Sustainable Debt Instruments
  • Hydrogen Economy: Techno-Economic Pathways and Challenges
  • Impact Investing for Environmental Sustainability
  • Next-Generation Cleaner Technologies and Financial Incentives
  • Private Sector Engagement in Climate Finance
  • Regulation and Policy Frameworks for Climate Finance
  • Renewable Energy, Financial Incentives, and innovations in Green Finance
  • Risk Assessment Models for Climate-Induced Financial Instability
  • Social Equity and Climate Finance
  • Space-Based Technologies for Monitoring Climate Investments
  • Technological Advancements and Climate Finance
  • The Role of Precision Agriculture in Financing Climate Adaptation
Target Audience
  • Academics, Individuals, Researchers, Professionals, Environmentalist, Entrepreneurs, and Policy Makers. 
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