Programme
Cultivating Prosperity: Advancing Agriculture and Intra-Africa Trade for Sustainable Development
The AASU–Weldios University Symposium, hosted in partnership with EPIK Leaders, is more than an event — it’s a continental dialogue designed to ignite innovation, policy action, and collaboration across Africa’s agricultural and trade ecosystems.
The symposium brings together policymakers, researchers, youth innovators, and development actors to design strategies that strengthen Africa’s food systems, regional integration, and economic resilience under the AfCFTA and Agenda 2063 frameworks.
High-Level Keynote Sessions
These sessions will provide valuable insights on how AfCFTA, innovation, and sustainability can drive inclusive growth across the continent. Each keynote will set the tone for transformative conversations that follow.
Panel Discussions
Dynamic, issue-driven panels will bring together experts from government, academia, the private sector, and civil society to tackle Africa’s most pressing challenges, from food security and climate change to regional trade barriers and technology adoption.
Youth Innovation Labs
At the heart of Africa’s transformation are its young people. The Youth Innovation Labs will showcase bold ideas and emerging enterprises from across the continent, where young agri-preneurs, researchers, and tech innovators pitch their groundbreaking solutions for sustainable food systems, agri-finance, and digital trade.
Networking Forums
These interactive sessions are designed to connect decision-makers, researchers, investors, and entrepreneurs in a vibrant environment of collaboration. Participants will have the opportunity to exchange ideas, forge new partnerships, and identify joint projects that strengthen Africa’s agricultural ecosystem and trade networks.
Policy and Research Roundtable
This closed-door, high-level dialogue brings together policy architects, researchers, and institutional leaders to align strategies for agricultural transformation and trade integration. The session will focus on evidence-based recommendations and actionable policy frameworks that support AfCFTA implementation, and enhance regional cooperation.
Conference Resources
Access essential documents and materials related to the symposium:
Conference Brochure
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Speaker Profiles
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Panelist Profiles
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Expected Outcomes
By the end of the symposium, participants will have:
Stronger Agricultural Systems
Experience powerful conversations that challenge old systems and open new possibilities. Discover how Africa can feed itself through innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth
New Partnerships and Collaborations
Meet the people shaping Africa’s next big moves in food, trade, and technology. This is where partnerships are born, between governments, innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs ready to take ideas from discussion to action.
Action Plans for Better Trade Policies
Walk away with actionable insights and clear strategies to strengthen Africa’s trade policies, boost agricultural value chains, and make intra-African trade a driving force for prosperity.
A Continental Network for Innovation and Action
By the end of the symposium, participants will become part of a growing community of young innovators, researchers, and leaders from across Africa. This network will continue to share ideas, opportunities, and projects long after the symposium ends.
Visa Assistance
Traveling from outside the host country? We’re here to make your journey smooth and worry-free.
The symposium team offers dedicated visa support to help international delegates obtain the necessary travel documents with ease. From guidance on required documentation to official invitation letters, we’ll assist you every step of the way.
Join the Movement
This symposium isn’t just about discussions, it’s about shaping Africa’s future through collaboration and innovation.
Be part of a generation redefining agriculture, trade, and sustainable development across the continent