A flagship Pan-African convening repositioning science as a cultural, political, and economic force shaping Africa's next decade.
Four interconnected priorities that frame every conversation, session, and outcome of the conference.
Innovative models for sustainable domestic R&D investment, philanthropy, sovereign wealth, blended finance, and budget advocacy aligned with AU STI commitments.
Agile, trustworthy governance, crafting and harmonizing regulatory frameworks from ethics review to market approval that safely accelerate scientific progress.
Spanning academia, research infrastructure, applied innovation, and local manufacturing, leveraging AI, genomics, and digital platforms from foundational research to advanced production.
Combating misinformation, fostering science literacy through media and arts, ethically engaging indigenous knowledge holders, and demonstrating science's relevance to everyday life.
Five milestone moments from June through September 2026.
Student-led advocacy on AMR awareness and safe drug disposal across communities.
Submissions open for Africa's 3-Year Health R&D Priorities, all stakeholders invited.
Preparatory convening aligning policymakers and researchers before the main event.
Three engagement zones and plenary sessions defining Africa's health science decade.
Celebrating African excellence in science, policy, innovation, and public engagement.
| 8th September 2026Financing & Governing | 9th September 2026Executing & Innovating | 10th September 2026Embedding & Sustaining |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Remarks & Plenary | A Financiers Round Table | Africa Voices of Science Forum |
| Sustainable Financing for Local R&D | Philanthropy: Funding our Healthcare | Designing Power: Women's & Youth Forum |
| Govt & Donor Round Table | Building Markets for African Health Innovation | Combating Health & Science Misinformation |
| Where Money Meets Discovery | The DVC's Round Table & Future of Education | Creating Demand for Science Through Storytelling |
| Africa's One Health: Science Without Communities Doesn't Work | State of AI for Healthcare | Cultural & Scientific Tribute |
| Advancing Indigenous Knowledge in Scientific Systems | Genomics & Personalized Healthcare | Negotiating the Science Action Agenda |
| Youth & Innovation Catalyst (Half-Day) | Scaling Local Manufacturing & Innovation | Action Agenda Adoption & Closing |
| 7:00 PM – 9:00 PMHonors Gala Dinner & Awards |
Interested in showcasing your work at the conference?
Become an Exhibitor
A landmark evening where Africa's leading scientists, institutions, and champions of progress gather to celebrate the people redefining the continent's scientific future. The Honors Gala turns recognition into renewed commitment, honoring excellence, elevating role models, and inspiring the next generation to carry the culture of science forward.
Submit your interest to attend the Culture of Science Conference 2026. Whether you're a researcher, policymaker, partner, or investor, we'd love to hear from you and tailor your participation to match your goals.
Theory is limited. Every speaker shows their work. Click a zone to explore.
Flash-talks, poster sessions, and grant networking for frontline researchers showcasing breakthrough work from across Africa. Where science meets funding opportunity.
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Live product demos, startup pitches, and deal rooms where African health innovation meets investment opportunity. The continent's premier health tech showcase.
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Bridging indigenous African healing knowledge with modern health systems, honoring traditional medicine as a cornerstone of African health innovation and identity.
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Live podcasts, media interviews, and storytelling, communicating science through culture and creative expression. Where science becomes a cultural conversation.
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CHReaD's Science Action Agenda is a collective declaration co-created with researchers, academia advocates, and policymakers of what Africa must do, fund, and build between 2026 and 2029.
Africa accounts for 24% of the global disease burden but less than 1% of global health R&D investment. The Science Action Agenda names the specific structural changes, funding, capacity, access, that will shift this within three years.
Coalition members can shape the agenda directly. Submit priorities, endorse existing ones, or join a working group ahead of the September 2026 launch.
Contribute to the Agenda
8–10 Sep · Nairobi, Kenya