African Students Day 2026

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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 returns in 2026

and will take place on 25 April at Hochschule Düsseldorf, which is also co-hosting the event. African Students Day 2026 is being organized in cooperation with the ENHANCE Alliance, Heinrich Heine University, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences, RWTH Aachen University, Münster University of Applied Sciences, and Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences. This will enable the event to reach even more African students and young people from the African diaspora in Germany.

Saturday, 25 April, 2026

from 10 am to 5 pm

Düsseldorf University of Applied Sciences

Münsterstraße 156, Building 2, 40476 Düsseldorf

Hosted by moderator Aisosa Erhahon-Nana

A multilingual moderator and experienced expert in migration and international development. Her professional background includes work with leading international and national institutions such as UN Women, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), GIZ, and German federal authorities.

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

The African Students Day 2026 brings together African diaspora students and young leaders in Europe for a day of connection, inspiration, and action. With a powerful opening keynote by Dr. Karamba Diaby, the event challenges a new generation to step into responsibility, shape narratives, and drive real impact between Europe and Africa.

Keynote Speech from Dr. Karamba Diaby

Former Member of the German Bundestag (2013–2025), SPD — the first Bundestag member born in Africa.

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

Registrations open 9:30
Opening Moderation 10:00 – 10:05 by Mrs. Aisosa Erhahon-Nanna
Official welcome 10:10 – 10:20 from host Hochschule Düsseldorf representative
Introduction to the work of 3 E’s 4 Africa 10:20 – 10:30 by Contimi Kenfack
Keynote Speech 10:35 – 10:50 by Dr. Karamba Diaby, former Member of the German Bundestag (2013–2025), SPD — the first Bundestag member born in Africa
Panel I: Climate Change in Africa & the Role of the Diaspora in Advancing Climate Resilience 10:50 – 12:00
Short break, Networking & Side Events 12:00 – 12:30
Panel II: How the Media Coverage of Africa by Global Media Shapes its Narrative 12:30 – 13:30
Short break, Networking & Side Events 13:30 – 14:00
African Diaspora Youth Changemaker Panel 14:00 – 15:00
Closing Remarks 15:00 – 15:20 Uhr by Johanna Oladeji & Vinley Orutwa
Buffet African Finger Food & Networking 15:30 – 17:30

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.