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2026 AFRICA CONVENTION ON SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC WELL-BEING

RADDISON BLU HOTEL & CONVENTION CENTER KIGALI, RWANDA

JUNE 7TH-12TH, 2026

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OVERVIEW

Africa stands at a defining moment in its social and economic transformation journey. With a population projected to exceed 2 billion by 2050, and over 400 million youth between the ages of 15-35, the continent possesses unparalleled human capital and untapped economic potential. At the same time, Africa faces persistent challenges of inequality, unemployment, food insecurity, fragile health systems, and the disruptive impacts of climate change. The cooperative movement and Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) enterprises have proven to be resilient engines of community-driven development, poverty reduction, and social justice. Across the world, they mobilize collective capital, enhance financial inclusion, empower women and youth, and create sustainable livelihoods. However, in Africa, fragmented policies, under-investment, limited visibility, and weak integration into national development plans continue to hinder their transformative potential.

AGENDA

Field Visits & Registration

  • 09:00-16:00: Field Visits-Visit successful Rwandan cooperatives, women-led SSE enterprises, youth cooperative startups, and community initiatives.
  • 09:00-18:00: Registration & Expo Opening-Cooperative and SSE Innovation Expo (pavilions, exhibitions, product showcases.

Opening & High-Level Dialogues

  • 09:00-13:00: Opening Ceremony & Plenary-Welcome remarks, keynote addresses, cultural performances.
  • 09:00-13:00: Opening Panel-Cooperative Town Hall: dialogue between youth, women leaders, policymakers, and cooperative innovators.
  • 14:00-18:00: Ministerial Convention-The Cooperative Promise for Africa's Social & Economic Wellbeing.

Inclusion, Equity & Social Protection

  • 09:00-10:30: Morning Showcase-Rwanda's cooperative journey.
  • 10:30-12:00: Plenary-Women & Youth in Cooperatives & SSE.
  • 12:00-13:00: Parallel Sessions-Private Sector Forum & Thematic Session on Women in Cooperatives.
  • 14:00-16:00: Plenary-Social Protection through Cooperatives & Mutuals.
  • 16:00-18:00: Parliamentarians' Forum on SSE Policy & Legislation / Youth Entrepreneurship Sessions.

Finance, Innovation & Digitalization

  • 09:00-10:30: Morning Showcase-Innovations in cooperative finance.
  • 10:30-12:00: Plenary-Financing the Future.
  • 12:00-13:00: High-Level Ministerial Roundtable-Cooperative Financing & PPPs.
  • 14:00-15:30: Thematic Session-Cooperative Financial Institutions & SACCOs.
  • 15:30-16:30: Plenary-Digitalization & AI for Cooperative Transformation.
  • >16:30-18:00: Thematic Sessions-Cooperative Data Systems, SSE Governance.

Climate Action, Sustainability & Wellbeing

  • 09:00-10:30: Morning Showcase-Rwanda's Green Cooperatives.
  • 10:30-12:00: Plenary-Cooperatives for Climate Resilience & Sustainable Communities.
  • 12:00-13:00: Thematic Sessions-Agroecology, Renewable Energy & Green Jobs.
  • 14:00-15:30: Ministerial Deep Dive-Cooperatives in National Climate Policies.
  • >15:30-16:30: Thematic Sessions-Urban Cooperatives, Health & Nutrition.
  • 16:30-18:00: Expo Dialogue-Green Innovations in Cooperative Enterprises.

Trade, Markets & Regional Integration

  • 09:00-10:30: Morning Showcase-AfCFTA Opportunities for Cooperatives.
  • 10:30-12:00: Plenary-Cooperatives, Regional Trade & AfCFTA.
  • 12:00-13:00: Stakeholder Forums-Researchers & Civil Society.
  • 14:00-16:30: Stakeholder Forums Continuation.
  • 16:30-18:00: Plenary & Thematic Sessions-Expanding Cooperative Markets & Innovative Financing.

IN COLLABORATION WITH

Africoop Consortium - RICEM

Rwanda Institute of Cooperatives, Entrepreneurship and Microfinance

Africoop Consortium - RCA

Rwanda Cooperative Agency

Africoop Consortium - MINICOM

Ministry of Trade and Industry Rwanda

Africoop Consortium - NCCR

National Cooperative Confederation of Rwanda

Africoop Consortium - Cooperation Africa

Cooperation Africa

Africoop Consortium - Nourish All

Nourish All

VENUE

SPEAKERS

To be updated !