African Students Day 2025

Speakers

Stakeholder

Participants

Connect, learn, and act

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 returned 2025

and took place on May 10 at Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences in Krefeld, which also served as co-host. The ASD 2025 was organized in collaboration with the ENHANCE Alliance, Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences, RWTH Aachen University, and VKII Ruhrbezirk e.V. The event was funded by the Stiftung Umwelt und Entwicklung NRW.

Saturday, May 10, 2025

from 10 am to 6 pm

Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, Krefeld South Campus (Building J)

Obergath 79, 47805 Krefeld

With 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

Curious about what awaits you?

Our Panels are packed with exciting topics and real highlights. The Speakers? Engaged, inspiring, and ready to share their experiences with you.

Program

An inspiring keynote speech by Mr. Junior Tagne, a board member of “Je m’engage pour l’Afrique (JMA)”. Authentic African dishes, lovingly prepared and creatively presented—a culinary journey rich in diversity and culture. During the networking session, like-minded individuals with a shared vision came together, enabling meaningful exchange and the formation of new connections.

Keynote speech by Mr. Junior Tagne

Board Member of "Je m’engage pour L’Afrique (JMA)"

African cuisine

The taste of Africa—lovingly prepared and creatively presented.

Networking

Inspiring and connecting—this is where like-minded people with a shared vision came together.

Program Details

Registration at 9:45 am
Official start with welcome and opening remarks 10:30 – 10:45 am by Prof. Dr. Gael Pentang and University President Dr. Thomas Grünewald from Hochschule Niederrhein – University of Applied Sciences
Opening moderation 10:45 – 10:50 am by Ms. Liz Shoo from Deutsche Welle and WDR
Keynote speech 11:00 – 11:15 am by Mr. Junior Tagne, board member at Je M’engage pour l’Afrique (JMA)
Panel I: The African diaspora and their investments in Africa 11:15 am – 12:30 pm
Short break, networking and supporting program 12:30 – 1:00 pm
Panel II: The importance of research and innovation in Africa 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Short break, networking and supporting program 2:00 – 2:30 pm
Panel III: Youth panel of the African diaspora – Changemakers 2:30 – 3:30 pm
Closing remarks 3:30 – 3:50 pm by Ms. Vinley Orutwa and Ms. Anahid Ndouop
African buffet and networking 3:50 – 6:00 pm

Speakers and panel discussions

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

The African Union encourages African countries to engage their diaspora as an important development partner and recognizes it as the "sixth region" of the continent. While many countries have established dedicated structures to provide support, challenges such as mistrust and bureaucratic inefficiencies still persist.

Investments from the diaspora go beyond financial contributions and also include remittances, knowledge sharing, and philanthropy. The panel invites participants to share personal experiences and highlights the importance of the diaspora’s diverse contributions to Africa’s growth.

Podium I Speaker

Ms. Sitan-Nancy Cissé

Founder of Blocks of Change

Mr. Samuel Opoku

Founder of Start.Up Lounge Africa

Mr. Junior Tagne

Board member at "Je m’engage pour L’Afrique (JMA)"

Mr. Contimi Kenfack

Founder and Chair of 3 E’s 4 Africa

Podium II Speaker

Dr. Grace Mbungu

Senior Fellow and Head of the Climate Program at the Africa Policy Research Institute, Climate and Energy Fellow at the Global Solutions Initiative

Ms. Victoria Manya

Co-founder and CEO of Advocacy for Policy and Innovation (API), PhD candidate at the African Studies Centre, University of Leiden

Dr. Simeon Hamukoshi

Researcher at the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology in Namibia

Mr. Frank Adjei-Kyeremeh

Research Associate at RWTH Aachen and Project Mentor at 3 E’s 4 Africa

Panel Discussion II: The Importance of Research and Innovation in Africa

This panel highlighted the critical role of research and innovation in Africa’s socioeconomic development. Although the continent is home to 1.3 billion people, Africa contributes only 2% to global research output due to insufficient investment in science and technology.

Initiatives such as DELTAS Africa and CARI are, however, working to strengthen local research capacity and innovation ecosystems. The discussion focused on existing challenges, emerging solutions, and how the African diaspora can actively contribute to advancing this sector.

Panel Discussion III: Changemaker Panel of the African Diaspora Youth

This panel focused on young women changemakers from the African diaspora in Europe who are actively engaged in Africa as students, entrepreneurs, and activists. Their stories, motivations, and impact serve as inspiration for their peers.

The discussion invited young members of the diaspora to find their own meaningful ways to connect with the African continent. The panelists shared personal insights and messages aimed at sparking a broader youth movement for change.

Podium III Speaker

Mr. Krumah Mbouguen

Founder of the platform Afrokratie

Ms. Stephanie Oben

Miss Cameroon Germany 2024 and Founder of Beyond Borders Cameroon

Ms. Grace Kagho

Board Member of the African Student Association Zurich and Founder of UrbanEcho

Ms. Shania Ineza

Board Member at Karibu Leuven (African Student Association of the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium) and Local Representative at ESN KU Leuven Brussels

How the ASD supports the SDGs

Ready to Connect, Learn, and Act?

Whether you are a student, intern, or young professional of African descent in Europe, this day is for you. Don’t miss the conversations, connections, and sense of community.