The Nordic Africa Business Forum & Prestigious Global Awards 2026 shall be held for the first time in the history of Europe at the Ionic Venue
Finlandia talo Hall, Republic of Finland
An event gathering Global Leaders and Change Makers in the heart of Helsinki in Finland.
2026 Event Partners
'Tell me a story' : Grand Artistic Exhibition by Mrs Kati Kivisaari (Ghana Consular Helsinki)
Nordic Cooling , Finland
Helsinki Metro Taxi , Finland
UDP Finland Chapter
Suomen Kielellä
Nordic–Africa Business Forum 2026
Päivämäärä: 25. huhtikuuta 2026
Aika: 09:45–15:00
Paikka: Finlandia-talo, Helsinki
Järjestäjä: Ceci Educare Oy
Teema
**“Investointien rajapintojen yhdistäminen kestävän kasvun edistämiseksi:
Pohjoismaiden ja Afrikan kumppanuudet Agenda 2030:n ja Agenda 2063:n mukaisesti”**
Nordic–Africa Business Forum 2026 on korkeatasoinen kansainvälinen foorumi, joka kokoaa yhteen päättäjiä, yritysjohtajia, sijoittajia, innovoijia ja diasporatoimijoita Pohjoismaista ja Afrikasta.
Foorumi tukee Suomen Afrikka-strategiaa vuoteen 2030, YK:n Agenda 2030 -tavoitteita sekä Afrikan unionin Agenda 2063 -kehystä, ja sen tavoitteena on edistää vastavuoroisia, kestäviä ja liiketoimintalähtöisiä kumppanuuksia.
Foorumin keskiössä ovat:
Kauppa ja investoinnit
Innovaatiot ja digitalisaatio
Vihreä siirtymä ja ilmastoratkaisut
Diasporan ja nuorten taloudellinen osallistuminen
Foorumin tavoitteet
Edistää Suomen ja Afrikan välistä kauppaa ja investointeja
Tukea yksityisen sektorin roolia kestävän kehityksen ratkaisujen tuottajana
Hyödyntää pohjoismaista osaamista vihreässä siirtymässä ja digitalisaatiossa
Vahvistaa diasporan ja nuorten roolia talouskumppanuuksissa
Tuottaa mitattavia ja konkreettisia yhteistyöhankkeita
Yhteinen visio vuoteen 2030
Kauppa ja investoinnit Pohjoismaiden ja Afrikan välillä
Innovaatiot ja digitaalinen murros
Vihreä talous ja ilmastotoimet
Diaspora, kulttuuri ja osallistava kasvu
Event Overview
Nordic–Africa Business Forum 2026
Date: 25 April 2026
Time: 09:45 – 15:00
Venue: Finlandia-talo, Helsinki
Host: Ceci - Educare Oy
Theme
*Bridging Investment Frontiers for Sustainable Growth:
Advancing Nordic–Africa Partnerships Towards Agenda 2030 & Agenda 2063*
Background & National
Finland’s Africa Strategy to 2030 emphasizes a shift towards equal, mutually beneficial political and economic partnerships, with strong private-sector participation. Africa’s Agenda 2063 complements this by positioning the continent as a global growth frontier driven by innovation, industrialisation, and regional integration.
The Nordic–Africa Business Forum 2026 provides a high-level platform to translate shared strategies into actionable trade, investment, innovation, and sustainability partnerships, aligned with the UN Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Forum Objectives
Advance Finland–Africa and Nordic–Africa trade & investment
Mobilise private capital for sustainable development
Showcase Nordic innovation in green transition & digitalisation
Strengthen diaspora and youth economic participation
Deliver measurable outcomes beyond dialogue
Final Confirmed Program
Nordic–Africa Business Forum 2026
09:45 – 15:00 | Finlandia-talo
09:45 – 10:00 | Registration & Welcome Coffee
Business Booths & Exhibition Open
🎶 Live music by El-Dona Band
10:00 – 10:10 |
Official Opening Performance
🎤 Opening Song – Monique Seka (Flag procession and African Cultural Performance led by Liz Tugaine)
Ceremonial opening of the Forum
10:10 – 10:30 | Opening Plenary
Shared Vision Towards 2030
Welcome Address
Strategic Keynote: Finland–Africa Agenda 2030
Diplomatic Remarks: Africa’s Agenda 2063
10:30 – 11:00 | High-Level Panel
Trade & Investment for Shared Nordic–Africa Growth
11:00 – 11:50 | Lunch Break
Business Booths & Exhibition Showcase
🎶 Live music by El-Dona Band
11:50 – 12:15 | Panel 2
Innovation, Digitalisation & Industrial Transformation
12:15 – 12:40 | Panel 3
Green Economy, Climate Action & Circular Solutions
12:40 – 13:00 | Panel 4
Diaspora, Culture & Inclusive Economic Development
13:00 – 14:00 |
Award Ceremony Session (1 Hour)
Celebrating Excellence in Nordic–Africa Collaboration
🎶 Special Performance (Pre-Awards Song) – Monique Seka
🏆 Awards Presentation & Recognitions
🌟 Special Honours & Tributes
14:00 – 14:40 | B2B Matchmaking & Business Booths
Sector-Focused Engagement
14:40 – 15:00 |
Closing Session & Finale
From Strategy to Action
Key Takeaways
Vote of Thanks
Final Closing Song – Monique Seka
Official Close of Forum
Panel Discussion
Opening Plenary
“This forum is designed not only to exchange ideas, but to activate partnerships that directly contribute to Finland’s Africa Strategy and the UN Agenda 2030. Our focus today is action.”
Panel 1 – Trade & Investment
Key Questions
What concrete steps are required to double Nordic–Africa trade by 2030?
How can SMEs access finance and mitigate risk?
What role should governments play in enabling private investment?
⏱ Timing:
Opening context – 3 min
Panellists – 5 min each
Audience Q&A – 10 min
Wrap-up – 2 min
Panel 2 – Innovation & Digitalisation
Key Questions
How can Nordic innovation ecosystems scale in African markets?
What role do universities and startups play?
How do we build digital public infrastructure sustainably?
Panel 3 – Green Economy
Key Questions
What Nordic climate solutions are investment-ready?
How can Africa leapfrog into green industrialisation?
What financing tools unlock climate action?
Panel 4 – Diaspora & Inclusion
Key Questions
How can diaspora capital and skills be mobilised?
What policies enable inclusive entrepreneurship?
How does culture act as economic infrastructure?
Business Booths & Exhibition
Booth Categories
Nordic Companies & SMEs
African Trade & Investment Agencies
Startups & Innovators
Financial Institutions & DFIs
Education & Skills Providers
Operational Flow
Booths open: 09:45–15:00
Peak engagement: 11:00–12:00 & 13:40–14:40
Optional product demos during lunch
B2B Matching & Exhibition
Sector Tables
Energy & Green Solutions
Technology & Innovation
Trade & Logistics
Education & Skills
Format
10–15 minute rotation meetings
Pre-matched (recommended)
Facilitated by sector hosts
Award Categories
Nordic–Africa Sustainable Investment Award
Innovation & Digital Transformation Award
Green Economy & Climate Impact Award
Diaspora Economic Bridge Builder Award
Youth & Emerging Leader Award
Education & Skills Partnership Award
Selection Criteria
Cross-border collaboration
Measurable impact
SDG alignment
Scalability & innovation
The awards segment celebrates transformative leadership, diplomatic excellence, and entrepreneurial achievements that strengthen relations between Africa and the Nordic region.
7 Award Categories:
The Ousainou Darboe Statesmanship Award – Recognizing exceptional political leadership and statesmanship. (Named after the former Vice President of the Gambia on 21st September 2025 in the presence of His Excellency ANM Ousainou Darboe)
The Nana Kodwo Addae II Crown of Legacy Award – A distinguished honour established in recognition of the living legend and influence of Nana Kodwo Addae II for exemplary recipients.
The Africa Diplomatic Excellence Award – Recognizing diplomats promoting strong bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
The Global Leadership Legacy Award – Honoring top-level executives or government officials shaping global partnerships.
The Women in Diplomacy and Leadership Award – Changing Narratives – Celebrating women leaders redefining diplomacy, governance, and corporate influence across continents.
The Africa Global Excellence in Innovation Award – Empowering Sustainable Growth– Recognizing entrepreneurs, business leaders and innovators whose work strengthens Africa's position and partnership in the wider International community.
The Global Influential Impact Award – Celebrating Visionaries in Music, Entertainment, Entrepreneurship and Ambassadorship - Honour leaders with global influence on the world stage and inspire cross-continental collaboration
