• Clarion Mestari Hotel , Helsinki

• 'Tell me a story' : Grand Artistic Exhibition by Mrs Kati Kivisaari (Ghana Consular Helsinki)

• Hobo Hotel , Helsinki 

• Lizartandwork, Finland

• Ax Hotel , Helsinki

• Jagils Education Center, USA

• Finlandia talo Hall , Helsinki

• Ayisat Yusuf , Shefootball Association 

• Hookedby North , Finland 

• Nordic Cooling , Finland

• Helsinki Metro Taxi , Finland 

• Abura Palace, Capecoast Ghana

• Africans and African - Europeans Association Ry

• Jacobs-Abbey Global Institution for Leadership Studies 

• UDP Finland Chapter 

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
  
  

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*

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.

• 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
  
  

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

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

1. What concrete steps are required to double Nordic–Africa trade by 2030?
   
   

2. How can SMEs access finance and mitigate risk?
   
   

3. 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?

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

Sector Tables

1. Energy & Green Solutions
   
   

2. Technology & Innovation
   
   

3. Trade & Logistics
   
   

4. 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

Find out the 2026 Award Nominees