African Students Day 2025

We believe young people from the African diaspora in Europe and particularly in Germany are the bridge to enable equitable and authentic partnerships between Europe and Africa. By engaging with their home continent, they will create sustainable and significant impact back home. The African Students Day is about giving the African diaspora youth visibility and creating the necessary network to empower and encourage them to engage with Africa.
The African Students Day is back in 2025 and will be taking place on May 10th at the Hochschule Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences (our co-host) in Krefeld. This year’s African Students Day is organized in collaboration with ENHANCE Alliance, Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, Rhine-Waal University, Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences, RWTH Aachen University and VKII Ruhrbezirk e.V. The event is funded by the Stiftung Umwelt und Entwicklung NRW.

Date: Saturday, 10th May 2025 from 10 am – 6 pm
Location: Hochschule Niederrhein, Campus Krefeld Süd (Building J), Obergath 79, 47805 Krefeld

  • Registration Opens at 9:45 AM
  • Official Start with Greetings & Welcome 10:30AM – 10:45AM by Prof. Dr. Gael Pentang & University President Dr. Thomas Grünewald from Hochschule Niederrhein University of Applied Science
  • Opening Moderation 10:45 – 10:50 by Ms. Liz Shoo from Deutsche Welle & WDR
  • Introductory Message (Pre-recorded) 10:50AM – 11:00AM by Ms. Sara Nuru, Founder of NuruCoffee & NuruWomen e.V.
  • Keynote Speech 11:00AM  – 11:15AM  by Mr. Junior Tagne, Board member at Je M’engage pour l’Afrique (JMA)
  • Panel I: The African Diaspora & its Investments in Africa 11:15AM – 12:30PM
  • Short break, Networking & Side Events 12:30PM – 13:00PM
  • Panel II: The Importance of Research & Innovation in Africa 13:00 PM – 14:00PM
  • Short break, Networking & Side Events 14:00 PM – 14:30PM
  • Panel III: African Diaspora Youth Changemaker Panel 14:30PM – 15:30PM
  • Closing Remarks 15:30PM – 15:50PM by Ms Vinley Orutwa and Ms. Anahid Ndouop

African Buffet & Networking 15:50PM – 18:00PM

Below you can find more about the panel discussions and our speakers:

Moderator Liz Shoo

An accomplished journalist, moderator and TV presenter with more than a decade of experience. After working at the Deutsche Welle for over 12 years, she currently works as a journalist and presenter at the German public broadcasting institution WDR

Speaker & Panel Discussion Overview

Keynote Speech from Mr. Junior Tagne, Board Member at Je m’engage pour L’Afrique (JMA)

Panel Discussion I: The African Diaspora and its Investments in Africa

The African Union encourages African countries to engage their diaspora as a key development partner, recognizing them as the continent’s “sixth region.” While many countries have created dedicated structures to support this, challenges like mistrust and bureaucratic inefficiencies remain. Investment from the diaspora takes many forms beyond money, including remittances, knowledge exchange, and philanthropy. The panel invites discussion on personal experiences and the importance of diverse ways for the diaspora to contribute to Africa’s growth.

Panel Speakers

Ms. Sitan-Nancy Cissé
Founder Blocks of Change

Mr. Samuel Opoku
Founder Start.Up Lounge Africa

Mr. Junior Tagne
Board Member at Je m’engage pour L’Afrique (JMA)

Mr. Contimi Kenfack
Founder & Chair at 3 E’s 4 Africa

Panel Discussion II: The importance of Research & Innovation in Africa

This panel explores the crucial role of research and innovation in driving Africa’s socio-economic development. Despite being home to 1.3 billion people, Africa contributes only 2% of global research output due to underinvestment in science and technology. However, initiatives like DELTAS Africa and CARI are working to strengthen research capacity and innovation ecosystems on the continent. The discussion will focus on the challenges, emerging solutions, and how the African diaspora can actively support progress in this sector.

Panel Speakers

Dr. Grace Mbungu
Senior Fellow and Head of Climate Change Program at the Africa Policy Research Institute, Climate and Energy Fellow at the Global Solutions Initiative

Ms. Victoria Manya Co-Founder & Executive Director of Advocacy for Policy and Innovation (API), PhD Researcher at African Studies Centre Leiden University

Dr. Simeon Hamukoshi
Researcher at the National Commission on Research Science and Technology in Namibia

Mr. Frank Adjei-Kyeremeh
Research assistant at the RWTH Aachen University & Project Mentor at 3 E’s 4 Africa

Panel Discussion III: African Diaspora Youth Changemaker Panel

This panel highlights young changemakers from the African Diaspora in Europe who are actively contributing to Africa as students, entrepreneurs, and activists. It aims to showcase their journeys, motivations, and impact, offering inspiration to their peers. The discussion encourages other young diaspora members to find their own meaningful ways to engage with the continent. Panelists will share personal insights and messages to spark a broader movement of youth-led change.

Panel Speakers

Mr. Krumah Mbouguen
Founder of platform Afrokratie

Ms. Stephanie Oben
Miss Cameroon Germany 2024 & Founder of Beyond Borders Cameroon

Ms. Grace Kagho
Board Member at African Student Association Zürich & Founder of UrbanEcho

Ms. Shania Ineza
Board Member at Karibu Leuven (African Student Association from the Catholic University Leuven in Belgium) & Local Representative at ESN KU Leuven Brussels

Ready to Connect, Learn, and Act?

Whether you’re a student, trainee, or young professional of African descent in Europe, this day is for you. Don’t miss the conversations, connections, and community. Register here!

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