The workshop explores Africa’s rivers, lakes, and waterways as vital spaces of transportation, mobility, and exchange—beyond their usual ecological framing. While transport studies in Africa have traditionally focused on roads and vehicles, the human use of waterways is growing with rapid urbanization. The bilingual (English–French) workshop will examine the technologies, skills, and knowledge tied to waterborne transport across time and regions, emphasizing how these practices sustain livelihoods and adapt to environmental and technological change. Key themes include: Transport logistics, ports, and infrastructure. Mobility practices, safety, and risk management. Boat building and maintenance traditions. Propulsion technologies and frugal innovations. Navigation knowledge and wayfaring. Multimodal transport networks linking waterways and roads. River markets and economic activities. Accidents and shipwrecks. Environmental change and its impact on mobility. The workshop aims to foster dialogue between junior and senior researchers and practitioners, building lasting research networks. It is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) under the Programme Point Sud and will be hosted at Institut Fondamental d’Afrique Noire, Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar. Selected participants will have travel and accommodation covered. Application deadline: November 3, 2025 (abstract max. 600 words + 2-page CV). Contact: - Peter Lambertz : peter.lambertz@vub.be - Valerie Hänsch : valerie.haensch@ethnologie.lmu.de - Jethron Akallah : jakallah46@gmail.com - N’Gna Traore : ngnatraore@gmail.com More information: https://networks.h-net.org/group/announcements/20128477/call-papers-workshop-africas-waterways-technology-mobility-and-skill