African Students Day 2026
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
Hosted by moderator Aisosa Erhahon-Nanna
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?
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.
- 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 I: Climate Change in Africa & the Role of the Diaspora in Advancing Climate Resilience
Climate change hits Africa particularly hard: despite contributing the least to global emissions, African countries lose an average of 2–5 per cent of their GDP to climate-related damage, whilst international funding pledges – such as the annual $100 billion commitment from Western nations – barely reach the local level. Less than 10 per cent of climate finance actually flows to where it is needed most.
The African diaspora can help close this gap: through remittances, targeted investment in climate-resilient projects, and the transfer of knowledge and technology. The panel will discuss how diaspora organisations can achieve greater impact through partnerships with local communities and policymakers, as well as through lobbying at international climate conferences – and what conditions need to be put in place to make this possible.
Podium I Speaker
Jennifer Kwao
Co-founder, 1.2 Diaries
Kamogelo Thumankwe
Founder & CEO, Tsarona
Zamzam Ibrahim
Director Strategy & Advocacy: Somali for Sustainability
Dr. Karamba Diaby
Former Member of the German Bundestag (2013–2025), SPD — the first Bundestag member born in Africa
Podium II Speaker
Fatou Ellika Muloshi
Editor at Deutsche Welle's 77 Percent
Amina Touré
Master student at the University of Cambridge & Head of Public Relations at the Africa Economic Forum
Barbra Okafor
Founder, The Agency Lab
Digital Strategist & AI Policy Advocate
Hewete Haileselassie
Editor in Chief at bird story agency
Panel II: How the Media Coverage of Africa by Global Media Shapes its Narrative
Global media coverage shapes the image of Africa – with far-reaching consequences: negative portrayals, particularly around elections, cost the continent up to £3.2 billion annually in inflated interest payments on sovereign debt, according to a 2024 study. The Global Media Index for Africa, which analyses 20 leading news providers, reveals an average score of just 52.55 out of 100 – barely above low-performing.
Coverage remains predominantly focused on politics, poverty, and corruption, whilst topics such as culture, innovation, and technology receive scant attention. Furthermore, African civil society voices – women, young people, and traditional communities – are rarely heard. The panel will explore how the diaspora can help foster fairer, more nuanced narratives about Africa in the global public sphere.
Panel III: Youth panel of the African diaspora – Changemakers
Africa's diaspora youth as the changemakers of tomorrow: this panel brings together young people – students, entrepreneurs, and activists – who are already actively building bridges to the African continent from within the diaspora. They share their personal journeys, motivations, and experiences to inspire their peers to find their own path to engagement.
At the heart of the discussion is the question of how young people from the African diaspora in Europe can leverage their unique position to drive change – whether through entrepreneurship, civil society engagement, or cultural work. The panel aims to instil confidence and offer concrete inspiration for finding and pursuing one's own meaningful connection with Africa.
Podium III Speaker
Rachel Ndauti
Multimedia Journalist, Editor and Presenter
Eden Tadesse
Founder, Invicta & Decolonize Politics
Maphrida Wehrli
Co-founder, PACHEDU
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.
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