Course description

THE CONFERENCE

The 2026 Conference on Planning & Strategy stands as a premier gathering for public service leaders, policymakers, development planners, economists, and institutional executives committed to driving effective governance and national progress through evidence-based planning and strategic foresight.

In a rapidly changing world where governments face complex fiscal, developmental, and technological challenges, the capacity to plan strategically and act decisively has become the foundation of modern public administration. This conference provides an exceptional platform for public institutions to strengthen their ability to design, implement, and evaluate forward-looking strategies that enhance accountability, service delivery, and inclusive economic growth.

Delegates will explore key dimensions of institutional excellence, including strategic and evidence-based planning frameworks, data-driven decision-making, results-based management, economic competitiveness, integrated governance, leadership transformation, and global best practices. Each session is designed to empower participants with practical skills and insights to translate national visions into measurable outcomes that improve the quality of governance and strengthen public trust.

By the end of the conference, participants will be able to:

▪ understand the fundamental principles of evidence-based planning and strategic management as tools for achieving sustainable national development;

▪ apply modern frameworks and analytical methods for designing, implementing, and evaluating institutional strategies and development plans;

▪ strengthen their capacity to integrate data-driven insights and foresight analysis into policy formulation and organizational decision-making;

▪ develop practical approaches for enhancing institutional performance, accountability, and competitiveness within both public and private sectors;

▪ formulate strategic plans that align with national and global development priorities, including SDGS and inclusive growth objectives;

▪ utilize monitoring and evaluation systems to track progress, assess impact, and inform future policy adjustments;

▪ explore case studies of successful national and institutional planning models, drawing lessons for adaptive and resilient governance; and

▪ translate conference insights into actionable strategies and reforms that promote productivity, innovation, and economic advancement.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

▪ Directors and Senior Officials from Ministries of Planning, Finance, and Economic Development

▪ Heads of Strategy, Policy, and Research Departments in Government Institutions

▪ Development Planners, Economists, and Policy Analysts

▪ Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialists and Project Managers

▪ Local Government and Regional Development Officers

▪ Leaders and Executives from Public Enterprises and Parastatals

▪ Representatives from the Military, Security, and Defense Planning Units

▪ Strategic Command and Staff Officers involved in National Security and Resource Planning

Executive and Strategic Planning Officersfrom the Private Sector 

CONFERENCE CONTENT

Key Focus Areas & Modules

Module 1: Strategic and Evidence-Based Planning Frameworks

• Understanding the principles and structure of national and institutional planning.

• Integrating research and data into strategic formulation and execution.

• Building effective planning frameworks that promote sustainability and accountability.

• Aligning institutional strategies with national and global development goals.

Module 2: Data-Driven Decision-Making and Strategic Foresight

• Leveraging analytics, modeling, and foresight tools for policy innovation.

• Applying predictive analysis to identify emerging trends and development challenges.

• Using data visualization and digital tools to support strategic planning.

• Building institutional culture that values evidence over assumptions.

Module 3: Institutional Performance, Accountability, and Results Management

• Strengthening results-based management (RBM) and performance evaluation systems.

• Enhancing transparency and integrity in public-sector operations.

• Measuring and reporting institutional progress through clear performance metrics.

• Improving service delivery through accountability frameworks.

Module 4: Economic Competitiveness and Sustainable Development Strategies

• Linking national planning processes to inclusive economic transformation.

• Promoting industrialization, diversification, and innovation-driven growth.

• Strengthening investment frameworks and productivity reforms.

• Advancing competitiveness through efficient policy coordination and governance.

Module 5: Integrated Governance and Multi-Sectoral Coordination

• Enhancing policy coherence and inter-ministerial collaboration.

• Building effective partnerships between government, private sector, and civil society.

• Coordinating planning across sectors to avoid duplication and optimize resources.

• Managing stakeholder participation and policy harmonization at all levels.

Module 6: Leadership, Change Management, and Strategic Implementation

• Cultivating leadership capacity for effective policy execution.

• Managing institutional transformation in complex governance environments.

• Building adaptive strategies for change and resilience in uncertain contexts.

• Empowering teams to translate strategy into measurable results.

Module 7: Global Case Studies, Simulation, and Applied Strategy Sessions

• Examining international success stories in planning and development management.

• Engaging in group-based simulations and scenario planning exercises.

• Developing strategic action plans for participants’ home institutions.

• Peer exchange, reflection, and presentation of implementation roadmaps.

Organizational Benefits

Participation in this conference offers transformative value to government agencies, development institutions, private organizations, and academic bodies by strengthening their institutional capacity and strategic outlook. Through engagement in this program, participating organizations will:

• Enhance Institutional Planning Capacity: Strengthen the ability of departments and agencies to design, implement, and monitor effective development plans aligned with national and sectoral priorities.

• Improve Strategic Decision-Making: Equip management teams with the tools and analytical frameworks needed to translate evidence into practical, results-oriented strategies.

• Promote Accountability and Good Governance: Foster institutional integrity through the adoption of transparent, evidence-based performance and evaluation systems.

• Boost Economic and Policy Impact: Align institutional strategies with broader economic competitiveness and inclusive growth agendas.

• Strengthen Inter-Agency Collaboration: Improve coordination between ministries, departments, and partners through shared learning and networking opportunities.

• Support Sustainable Transformation: Develop adaptive planning systems capable of responding to policy shifts, technological disruptions, and global economic changes.

• Enhance Staff Productivity and Professional Competence: Improve technical expertise in strategic foresight, project evaluation, and results-based management.

• Expand International Networks and Partnerships: Build relationships with global experts, institutions, and development partners for knowledge sharing and technical cooperation.

• Facilitate Policy Innovation and Institutional Reform: Enable participants to return with practical frameworks to modernize internal planning processes and management systems.

Contribute to National Development Goals: Strengthen organizational alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Vision 2050, and national transformation strategies

What will i learn?