AEW convenes panel discussions, investor forums, industry summits, and targeted one-to-one meetings that shape investment decisions and influence the direction of Africa’s energy development. Serving as the official meeting place for Africa’s energy elite, the event promotes Africa’s role in global energy markets through African-led dialogue and decision-making.

Covering the full energy value chain, upstream, midstream, and downstream, AEW is the only conference on the continent that represents the entire energy sector in one integrated platform. Rather than focusing on constraints, AEW emphasizes collaboration and integration to reverse Africa’s resource curse, support energy exploration and production, and unlock inclusive economic growth.

Brussels Climate Week 2026 will take place from 12 to 16 October 2026 in Brussels, Belgium, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers, investors and civil society representatives to advance climate resilience, innovation and industrial transformation.

Positioned as a European platform for climate collaboration, the event will feature conferences, exhibitions, thematic discussions and networking activities to encourage cooperation, knowledge exchange and the development of practical climate solutions.

The event is hosted in Brussels, with the City of Brussels as Host City and Cisco as Founding Partner.

Event Focus

Brussels Climate Week will feature a programme of Conference Theme Days, official side events, exhibitions and partner-led activities, addressing key challenges and opportunities in climate action.

The conference programme will cover five thematic areas:

• Technology & Innovation: Exploring emerging technologies and innovations supporting climate action.
• Energy: Discussing sustainable energy systems and the energy transition.
• Industry: Examining industrial transformation and decarbonisation.
• Urban Development: Exploring climate-resilient cities and sustainable urban solutions.
• Nature: Addressing nature-based solutions and environmental sustainability.

Additional side events will explore topics including green digital transformation, sustainable fashion, tourism, agriculture, construction, sports and preparations for COP31.

The event will also host an Expo, providing opportunities for companies, start-ups and SMEs to showcase climate-related products, technologies and services to policymakers, industry representatives, researchers and potential partners.

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Who Should Attend?

Brussels Climate Week is open to policymakers, businesses, start-ups, SMEs, investors, researchers, NGOs, climate innovators and other stakeholders interested in sustainability and climate action.

The event is particularly relevant to organisations seeking opportunities for international cooperation, investment, technology exchange and partnerships supporting climate innovation and sustainable development.

Expected Outcomes

Brussels Climate Week aims to strengthen collaboration across sectors, facilitate knowledge exchange and promote practical approaches to climate resilience and industrial transformation.

Through conferences, exhibitions and networking activities, participants will have opportunities to establish partnerships, explore innovative climate solutions and identify potential business and investment opportunities.

The event also seeks to increase the visibility of climate-focused start-ups and SMEs, supporting connections with industry leaders, investors and other stakeholders.

Event Details

• Dates: 12–16 October 2026
• Location: Tour & Taxis, Brussels, Belgium
• Format: In-person conferences, exhibitions, side events and networking activities
• Participation fee: Free for all official activities

How to Participate

Participation in official Brussels Climate Week activities is free of charge, although registration is required.

Interested participants can obtain a free pass to access the Expo and apply to attend Conference Theme Days and official side events. Registered participants can also manage their selected sessions through their event account.

The 2026 edition aims to deepen regional dialogue on trade flows and financing structures across North Africa, with a strong emphasis on evolving supply chains, digital trade, and sustainable finance mechanisms. It builds on GTR’s role as a convening platform for industry stakeholders working at the intersection of trade, credit, and cross-border commerce.

The programme typically features expert-led panels and networking across key trade finance themes such as evolving export markets, digitalisation of trade documentation, SME access to finance, and risk management in volatile macroeconomic environments. It also provides a structured networking environment for deal origination and partnership building.

Key focus areas include trade resilience in North Africa, SME financing and export growth, supply chain restructuring across the Mediterranean corridor, and the expansion of digital trade finance infrastructure.

The event brings together senior decision-makers from banks, corporates, insurers, fintech providers, and development finance institutions, with a strong emphasis on practical market insights and transactional opportunities.

Event highlights

Rather than separating into rigid tracks, the agenda is structured around thematic discussions, including North Africa’s role in global supply chains, Egypt’s positioning as a regional trade hub, sustainable trade finance, and innovation in digital documentation and risk mitigation.

Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026
Time: 14:00 CEST 
Format: Zoom

The webinar will include an open panel discussion exploring the experiences, opportunities and challenges involved in scaling sustainable energy business models across Africa. 

Over four years, the Smart Energy Solutions for Africa (SESA) project brought together partners and entrepreneurs to develop, test, and strengthen sustainable energy solutions in different African contexts. Although the project officially concluded in October 2025, the experiences and knowledge generated through this collaboration remain highly relevant. 

Drawing on the Siemens Stiftung publication “From Pilots to Pathways: Founder Lessons from Testing Smart Energy Business Models Across Africa,” the panellists will share the stories behind their work: what they tested, what they learned and what it takes to turn promising ideas into viable and sustainable businesses.
 
The conversation will offer practical insights for entrepreneurs, partners and organisations supporting innovation in Africa’s energy sector.

We are pleased to welcome the following panellists:

• Vincenzo Lorusso, European Commission
• Brian Andanje, We! Hub Limited, Kenya
• Okey Esse, Powerstove Nigeria
• Magdalena Sikorowska, ICLEI European Secretariat, Brussels

Moderated by: 

• Lakshmi Bhamidipati, UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre
• Elisabeth Biber, Senior Project Manager, Siemens Stiftung

Opening Remarks: 

• Dr. Nina Smidt, CEO and Spokesperson of the Board, Siemens Stiftung 

Whether you were part of the SESA journey, are building an energy enterprise, or work to support entrepreneurs and sustainable energy solutions across Africa, we would be delighted to welcome you to the conversation.  

The session will begin with a short overview of how venture capital works, when it is an appropriate funding route, and how investment stages shape investor expectations. Then, we will explore how investors assess opportunities, including the importance of market potential, traction, team, business model, and potential returns. The workshop’s core will then guide participants through the structure of a compelling pitch deck. Sample slides will illustrate what strong presentations do well and where founders commonly lose investor interest.

Website
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DVKPJD6

You are cordially invited to join an inspiring global gathering of researchers, educators, innovators, policymakers, environmentalists, health professionals, students, and sustainability champions at the 4th International Virtual Climate Change Education Summit 2026.This event shall feature seminar presentations, workshops, research collaboration opportunities, mentorship and networking sessions aimed at exploring artificial intelligence for climate resilience, good health and well-being. As the world confronts the growing challenges of climate change, there is an urgent need for innovative solutions that can protect our environment, strengthen community resilience, and promote healthy and sustainable societies. This Summit provides a dynamic platform to explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can transform climate change education, environmental protection, healthcare, sustainable development, and climate resilience.Come and connect with distinguished experts, share knowledge, discover innovative ideas, build meaningful collaborations, and contribute to shaping a greener and healthier future.

Official Registration Link: rebrand.ly/IVCCES2026

(Zoom Link Shall Be Forwarded To Registered Participants A Few Days Before The Event)

Your voice, ideas and participation matter. Be part of the change. Be part of the solution. Join us!

⚠️ Important notice

Funding opportunities and other content listed on AEIP may be submitted by members or third parties. While the AEIP team carries out light moderation and may remove inappropriate or misleading content when identified, opportunities are not individually verified or endorsed by AEIP.

Before applying, sharing personal information, making payments or entering into agreements, users should independently verify the legitimacy of the opportunity and the organisation behind it. AEIP and the project consortium cannot guarantee the accuracy, completeness or legitimacy of third-party content or external websites.

The second AU-EU Research and Innovation (R&I) Ministerial Meeting will take place on 27 October 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Background

This follows the first-ever AU-EU R&I Ministerial of July 2020, which established the priority areas of collaboration in Public Health, Green Transition, Innovation and Technology, and Capacities for Science. That meeting led to the development of the joint 10-year AU-EU Innovation Agenda, politically adopted in 2023.

New Cooperation Areas

Building on this foundation, two new cooperation areas are proposed for endorsement at the 2026 Ministerial:

• Science Diplomacy, with a focus on Research Infrastructures
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Science

Associated Workshops

Dedicated workshops are being planned for each of these two new work streams, both to take place in October 2026. The workshop on AI in Science is foreseen for 26-27 October 2026 in Addis Ababa, ahead of the Ministerial.

Date: 28–29 October 2026
Venue: Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa

AI Expo Africa 2026 returns for its 9th edition as Africa’s leading business-focused Artificial Intelligence (AI), Intelligent Automation, Robotics, and Smart Technology trade show and conference. The event brings together enterprise buyers, technology providers, startups, investors, researchers, policymakers, and innovators from across Africa and around the world to explore practical AI applications and emerging technologies.

Whether you are looking to discover new AI solutions, connect with potential partners, showcase your innovations, or gain insights into the latest industry trends, AI Expo Africa provides an excellent platform for networking, collaboration, and business development.

Event Highlights

• Two-day AI and Smart Technology Trade Expo
• Four-track conference programme featuring keynote speakers, expert panels, and enterprise case studies
• More than 100 exhibitors showcasing AI and digital technologies
• Startup Zone and Investor Matchmaking
• Women in AI Pavilion
• AI Research & Development Zone
• Robot & Drone Zone
• Executive CxO Roundtables
• CPD-accredited workshops
• Dedicated networking sessions and community meetups

Who Should Attend?

The event is relevant for:

• Startups and scaleups
• Innovation Support Organisations (ISOs/ESOs)
• Researchers and universities
• SMEs and corporates
• Investors and venture capital firms
• Government representatives
• AI practitioners and technology providers
• Policymakers and ecosystem builders

Event Snapshot

• 3,500+ expected delegates
• 1,800+ companies represented
• 100+ exhibitors
• 84% senior decision-makers
• 78 hours of conference content
• 12 CPD-accredited workshops

Learn More

Interested participants can find additional information directly from the event organisers.

The festival positions itself as a high-impact meeting point for startup deal flow, investor engagement, and ecosystem collaboration, with strong participation from C-level executives, founders, and venture capital stakeholders.

Key Highlights

• 1,490+ attendees, with a strong concentration of C-level participants
• 100+ facilitated meetings focused on partnerships and investment
• 40+ speakers from across the African innovation ecosystem
• Estimated $20M+ in deals and partnerships generated through the platform

Why Attend

The event is structured around four core value areas:

• Networking: Direct access to founders, investors, and industry leaders across Africa’s startup ecosystem
• Innovation exposure: Sessions focused on emerging technologies, market trends, and disruptive business models
• Funding access: Opportunities to pitch to investors and explore seed, growth, and strategic funding options
• Brand visibility: Platform for startups and companies to showcase solutions to a targeted innovation audience
• Ecosystem impact: Engagement in discussions around scaling African innovation and addressing continental challenges

The Africa-Europe Innovation Dialogues are coming to Africa!

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About the event

The Africa-Europe Innovation Platform (AEIP) warmly invites innovation stakeholders to Africa-Europe Innovation Dialogues 2026: Ideas in motion. Partnerships in action!

Following the successful first edition in Brussels last year, the 2026 edition heads to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Join innovators from across Africa and Europe in Abidjan for one and a half days of dialogue and collaboration.

This gathering of African and European stakeholders from across the value chain – from start-ups, universities, academia, to civil society – will provide ample opportunities for networking and finding partners for innovation cooperation. The event will adopt a bilingual English-French format, to bring out the best out of the diversity and richness of Anglophone and Francophone innovation communities.

Abidjan

West Africa’s innovation crossroads

As one of Africa’s leading innovation and economic hubs, Abidjan provides the ideal setting to connect ecosystems and build the partnerships that drive sustainable growth and impact across the continent and beyond.

The programme will actively spotlight voices from Côte d’Ivoire’s innovation ecosystem, explored through two lenses:

1. The stakeholder communities driving change on the ground
2. The thematic areas connecting Ivorian, African and European priorities.

Programme at a glance

Experience Web Summit

One event, countless opportunities.

Web Summit brings together the global technology community in Lisbon for four days of talks, networking, innovation and collaboration. The 2026 event will take place from 9 – 12 November 2026 at the MEO Arena in Lisbon.

Web Summit brings together founders, investors, technology leaders, policymakers, media and innovators from across the global tech ecosystem. The event provides opportunities to connect with industry leaders, discover emerging technologies and explore the ideas shaping the future of technology.

What to expect

The 2026 programme features a range of dedicated summits and tracks, including AI, Venture, MoneyConf, Policy, Energy, Marketing and Future of Work, alongside meetups and other opportunities to connect with the community.

Participants can also explore dedicated opportunities for startups, investors, exhibitors and media, making Web Summit a platform for building connections across the technology ecosystem.

2026 Highlights

• AI Summit exploring the evolution of physical AI, AI agents and AI governance.
• Venture Summit focused on venture capital, startups and global investment.
• MoneyConf exploring the future of financial technology and payments.
• Policy Summit examining technology, geopolitics and the future of Europe.
• Meetups bringing together communities around areas including AI ethics, medtech and agritech.

The network connects researchers across the continent to examine how learning processes, innovation systems, and competence building drive economic and social transformation. Its activities include international conferences, training programmes, PhD academies, fellowships, and networking opportunities designed to strengthen research capacity and address under-researched areas relevant to Africa’s development challenges.

AfricaLics conferences convene a diverse community of participants from academia, government, industry, civil society, and international development organisations. The programme typically features world-class keynote speakers, high-level policy dialogues linking research to practice, and cutting-edge research presentations by both established and emerging scholars. Participants also benefit from dedicated networking opportunities, including exhibitions and social events, fostering collaboration and long-term partnerships.

Paper Submissions

Conference Theme:
Critical, Retrospective and Creative Perspectives on Innovation and Society in Africa

The 7th AfricaLics Conference seeks to critically reflect on the relationship between innovation and society in Africa, examining power, inequality, and the social dimensions of innovation in the digital age. It calls for new and forward-thinking approaches to achieving shared development goals across Africa and globally.

You can submit for paper and poster presentations. A limited number of conference registrations will be available for organisers of and presenters in thematic sessions – special panels, posters, plenary workshops (curated), and roundtables – approved by the Scientific Conference Committee. 

Sub-Themes

• Historical, Theoretical and Conceptual Perspectives on Innovation and Development
• Political Economy Challenges for Innovation in Africa
• Digital Revolution, AI, and the African Gig Economy
• The Creative Sector, Arts, and Innovation
• African Knowledge Traditions and Innovation Systems
• Sustainability-Oriented Innovation (Energy, Water, Agriculture, Manufacturing, etc.)
• Innovation Policies and Socio-Economic Transformation (STISA 2034, Agenda 2063, SDGs)
• Financing Innovation in Key Economic Sectors
• Innovation for Sustainable Health and Wellbeing
• Inclusive Innovation, Education and Development (Gender, Youth, Disability)