5–6 February 2027 | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
About AITCO 2027
The 7th African International Translation Conference (AITCO 2027) will be held on 5–6 February 2027 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
AITCO is one of Africa’s leading forums for language professionals. It brings together translators, interpreters, localization specialists, language service providers, academics, researchers, policymakers, and technology experts from across Africa and beyond.
The conference provides a platform for participants to exchange knowledge, explore emerging industry trends, build professional networks, and shape the future of multilingual communication.
Conference Theme:
“Shaping the Future of Global Multilingual Communication: Human Expertise, AI and Innovation in Translation, Interpretation and Localization”
As artificial intelligence and digital technologies continue to transform the language-services industry, AITCO 2027 will explore how human expertise, technological innovation, and responsible practices can work together to strengthen multilingual communication worldwide.
Welcome to Adis Abeba !
Why Attend?
In an era of rapid technological change, evolving workflows, and increasingly multicultural markets, AITCO 2027 offers much more than conference sessions. Participants can look forward to:
• Insightful presentations and panel discussions led by global thought leaders in translation, interpreting, localization, and language services.
• Practical workshops exploring emerging technologies, innovations, and industry best practices.
• Opportunities to engage with researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and technology experts.
• Meaningful networking with potential collaborators, clients, and professional peers from across Africa and other regions.
• A memorable conference experience set against Addis Ababa’s rich history, cultural diversity, and vibrant atmosphere.
• Insightful presentations and panel discussions led by global thought leaders in translation, interpreting, localization, and language services.
• Practical workshops exploring emerging technologies, innovations, and industry best practices.
• Opportunities to engage with researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and technology experts.
• Meaningful networking with potential collaborators, clients, and professional peers from across Africa and other regions.
• A memorable conference experience set against Addis Ababa’s rich history, cultural diversity, and vibrant atmosphere.
Networking and Social Events
Every part of AITCO 2027 will provide an opportunity to expand your professional network and experience the warmth and diversity of Addis Ababa. Planned activities include:
• A welcome city tour showcasing Addis Ababa’s history, heritage, and cultural attractions.
• A networking dinner where participants can connect and exchange experiences in a relaxed setting.
• A gala dinner celebrating the global community of language professionals.
• Optional post-conference excursions to selected tourist destinations in and around Addis Ababa.
Additional information about the tours and excursions will be published soon.
• A welcome city tour showcasing Addis Ababa’s history, heritage, and cultural attractions.
• A networking dinner where participants can connect and exchange experiences in a relaxed setting.
• A gala dinner celebrating the global community of language professionals.
• Optional post-conference excursions to selected tourist destinations in and around Addis Ababa.
Additional information about the tours and excursions will be published soon.
Join Us in Addis Ababa
We look forward to welcoming you to Addis Ababa for two inspiring days of learning, professional networking, collaboration, and cultural exchange. For enquiries or further information, please contact the AITCO 2027 organizing team.
Keynote Speaker: Guillaume Paul Deneufbourg
The AITCO 2027 keynote address will be delivered by Guillaume Paul Deneufbourg, President of the International Federation of Translators (FIT).
Mr. Deneufbourg has worked as a freelance translator for more than 25 years, primarily in diplomacy, journalism, and literature. He has translated more than 20 novels and nonfiction works, several of which have received literary awards.
Alongside his professional translation practice, he has authored and delivered more than 100 academic and professional contributions at conferences and industry events worldwide. He is also a former President of the Belgian Chamber of Translators and Interpreters (CBTI).
Call for Papers
AITCO 2027 will bring together researchers, academics, translators, interpreters, localization specialists, language-technology experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore the future of multilingual communication in an AI-driven world.
We warmly invite submissions of abstracts presenting original research, innovative practices, professional experiences, case studies, or emerging ideas aligned with the conference theme.
Suggested Topics
- Contributions may address, but are not limited to, the following areas:
- Linguistic diversity and language rights.
- Human expertise and artificial intelligence in language services.
- Generative AI, ethics, and trustworthy language technologies.
- Localization, global content, and the digital economy.
- Translation and interpreting education and professional development.
- Emerging technologies and innovative language-service workflows.
- The future of African languages in global multilingual communication.
Please note: Abstracts addressing other relevant topics within translation, interpretation, localization, language technology, and multilingual communication are also welcome.
Submission Guidelines
- Abstract length: 250–300 words
- Submission deadline: 15 October 2026
- Notification of acceptance: 15 November 2026
Whether you are an established researcher, an experienced practitioner, or an emerging scholar, AITCO 2027 offers an excellent platform to share knowledge, exchange ideas, showcase innovation, and contribute to the advancement of translation, interpretation, localization, and multilingual communication across Africa and beyond.
Submission form
