Foreword

This special edition of the African Multidisciplinary Journal of Research mainly contains the papers that were presented during the 4^th SPU Annual International Research Conference (SPUAIRC) that was held at St. Paul’s University, Main Campus, Limuru on 23^rd to 25^th October 2024. The theme of the conference was: Leveraging research, technology and innovation in the new economy for sustainable development. The articles contained in this edition are drawn from various disciplines as the conference had a diverse range of subthemes. Hence the research papers have delved into contemporary topics based on broader research areas such as digitalization and development across socio-economic, religious and political spheres in a contemporary world; the digital economy and business environment; the digital economy and fintech, re-imagining the role of the media in the 21stcentury; business incubation, green entrepreneurship; building resilient small and medium enterprises, future of work and human resource management strategies, ethical transformative leadership and good governance sustainable development; climate change, Innovation, AI and higher education, worldviews, diversity, equity and inclusivity in higher education among other areas.