The On Think Tanks (OTT) Conference will take place in Johannesburg, bringing together think tank professionals, policymakers, and researchers to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange. Designed to encourage both formal and informal interactions, the conference offers participants the opportunity to engage in curated sessions on topics relevant to them. 

The programme includes a public event on the first evening, followed by a series of keynote addresses, plenary sessions, and parallel discussions. In addition to the main sessions, attendees can take advantage of extended coffee and lunch breaks for networking, a marketplace of ideas, and fringe events hosted by participating organisations, including NSI, throughout the week. We look forward to actively participating in discussions that highlight the evolving role of think tanks in shaping policy, driving impact, and strengthening institutions across different sectors.

Participants are encouraged to organise side meetings and fringe events with other attendees while in Johannesburg. We are eager to contribute to these critical conversations on think tanks, policy influence, and global governance, ensuring that the insights generated at OTT 2025 lead to real-world impact.

If support is needed to connect with professionals from specific sectors or regions, the organisers are available to assist.

Conference Details

Dates: 16 June 2025 – 18 June 2025

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Programme Topics: Public service reform, state capture and corruption, and the impact of AI on industrial policy

Keynote speakers: Dr Luciana Mendes Santos Servo, Damien King, Sara Pantuliano, Mavis Owusu-Gyamfi

For more information about the event and the full programme, please visit the On Think Tanks Conference website