Third Annual Forum · Chicago · Special Edition at Davos
A presidential-level convening of African heads of state, U.S. officials, university presidents and industry pioneers — returning this October in Chicago, with a special edition at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
2026 Editions
The 3rd Annual Africa–US Presidential Forum returns with a flagship gathering in Chicago and a special high-level edition in Davos, Switzerland on the margins of the World Economic Forum.
October 2026
The 3rd Annual Africa–US Presidential Forum on STEM / AI / MBA brings heads of state, university presidents, U.S. officials and Fortune 500 leaders to Chicago for two days of keynotes, partnership signings and the Presidential Honors gala.
Reserve a Chicago seatWorld Economic Forum · Annual Meeting
An exclusive Davos edition convening African heads of state with global capital, multilateral institutions and the world’s leading technology firms — advancing the forum’s agenda on the global stage at the World Economic Forum.
Request Davos invitationAbout the forum
The Africa–US Presidential Forum on STEM / AI / MBA is co-hosted by the Nekotech Centre of Excellence and Stevens Institute of Technology. The forum brings together African presidents, U.S. government officials, corporate leaders and academic pioneers to address the most pressing question of our generation: how does Africa lead the next wave of science, technology and AI-driven enterprise?
The 2024 edition marked the second annual gathering and was held for the first time on Stevens’ Castle Point campus in Hoboken, New Jersey. It celebrated a milestone announcement of a one-billion-dollar Nekotech pledge to support 10,000 African graduate students pursuing degrees abroad over the next five years — a structural investment in the continent’s scientific workforce.
The 3rd Annual Forum convenes in Chicago this October, complemented by a special edition in Davos, Switzerland on the margins of the World Economic Forum — taking the forum’s agenda to the world’s pre-eminent stage for global capital, policy and innovation.
“Africa missed three industrial revolutions. It is time to reclaim our rightful position — by equipping the next generation with the tools to operate successfully in a world built on STEM and AI.” — H.E. Rev. Dr. Princess A.K. Ocansey, Forum Co-Chair
Our mission
Place exceptional African scholars in advanced science, engineering and mathematics programs at leading U.S. institutions — building research capacity that returns home.
Accelerate AI-focused learning, ethics and applied research — equipping African talent to shape, not just consume, the algorithms reshaping every industry.
Develop a new class of African business leaders fluent in technology, capital markets and the systems that scale enterprise across continents.
Chicago · October 2026
A curated programme of presidential keynotes, policy roundtables and an evening of cultural celebration where African drums meet tech dreams. The Davos special edition follows a separate invitation-only schedule.
Presidential keynotes & partnership signings
Co-chairs President Farvardin and Princess A.K. Ocansey open the forum.
H.E. Dr. Lazarus Chakwera on Africa’s digital sovereignty.
University presidents, ministers of education and industry CTOs.
Nekotech commits to 10,000 graduate scholarships over five years.
AI, MBA pathways & honors gala
Applied AI in health, agriculture, finance and logistics.
Stevens faculty preview the Africa-focused MBA pathway.
Heads of state and partner institutions sign the forum charter.
Awards honoring Dr. Joyce Banda, President Julius Maada Bio and King Tackie Tsuru II.
Leadership
Forum Co-Chair · Chairperson, Nekotech Centre of Excellence
Architect of the forum and the $1B education pledge. Chairperson of Nekotech Centre of Excellence, SOS Labour Ghana Ltd., the US–Africa Ebola Working Group and Channels of Blessings. Recipient of the Ron Brown Award for International Trade, the Living Legend of Legal Migration Award, the Mama Africa Award for Rural Impact and White House recognition for “Save a Million Lives from HIV/AIDS.”
Forum Co-Chair · President, Stevens Institute of Technology
Steering Stevens’ expansion of African educational partnerships from Castle Point in Hoboken, New Jersey.
President of the Republic of Malawi
Guest of honor; called the forum “an excellent initiative” for African workforce transformation.
President of Sierra Leone
Presidential Honoree for his national investment in human capital and STEM-led development.
Former President of the Republic of Malawi
Presidential Honoree and global advocate for the education and empowerment of African women and girls.
President of the Ga State, Ghana
Presidential Honoree; cultural steward connecting traditional leadership with Africa’s technology future.
Recognition
H.E. Rev. Dr. Princess A.K. Ocansey — co-chair of the forum and chairperson of the Nekotech Centre of Excellence — brings two decades of global recognition to the work of advancing African education, peace and migration.
The pledge in motion
Capital commitment from Nekotech to fund African graduate education abroad.
African scholars supported in STEM, AI and MBA programs over five years.
Programme horizon — with cohorts deploying from the 2024–25 academic year.
Annual edition — convening in Chicago this October, with a special edition at Davos.
Co-hosts & partners
Transforming lives and communities across Africa through education, labor migration and healthcare — building the pipeline of African talent at the heart of this forum.
Host institution at Castle Point, Hoboken, New Jersey — expanding its African education initiative through dedicated STEM/AI/MBA pathways for forum scholars.
Sitting presidents, former presidents and traditional rulers committing their administrations to forum priorities.
Federal officials and corporate leaders shaping employer demand, policy frameworks and capital flows across the Atlantic.
3rd Annual Forum · Chicago & Davos
Whether you represent a government, a university, an investor or a student cohort — we welcome your delegation in Chicago this October, or at our special edition in Davos. Tell us how you’d like to participate and our team will be in touch with credentials, agenda and travel information.