- When: Thursday, 26. November 2026 | 16:00 - 18:45
- Where: online
In cooperation with the Management Center Innsbruck (MCI).
Africa is gaining strategic relevance for European companies—as a neighbouring continent, a set of diverse and evolving markets, and a source of talent and capabilities. Companies entering or expanding in African markets nevertheless often encounter fragmented market structures, infrastructure gaps, skills shortages and the need to build trusted local partnerships.
This mini-symposium showcases how companies in emerging markets can turn market potential into sustainable business relationships—by building local capabilities, partner networks, and quality & service structures along the value chain.
Against this background, the event connects business, academia and students to explore practical pathways for commercially viable engagement with tangible local impact.
Speaker
- Ass. Prof. Dr. Arnold Schuh: Mitinitiatorin des Kofi Annan Award mit Fokus auf die Vernetzung afrikanischer Startups mit europäischen Partnern
- Ulrich Hess: Team Leiter ICAMA, Innovative Capital Mobilization in Africa, ein GIZ Programm
- Doreen Zaki: Member of the Board Insight Hub Africa, Corporate Finance Advisor bei Stadia Capital (Nairobi)
- Martin Fleischer: Leiter Master Studiengang International Banking and Finance FH bfi Wien, Impact Investor, Financial & Strategic Advisor
Agenda
16:00 Welcome & framing
16:10 Academic perspective | Ass. Prof. Dr. Arnold Schuh
16:30 Company perspective | Prof. Dr. Georg Votava
16:50 Applied university perspective | Prof. Dr. Gerhard Hillmer
17:10 Coffee Break
17:20 Introduction to Breakout sessions
17:30 Breakout sessions | World Café
- Skills & capabilities
- Market development & enabling infrastructure
- Partnerships for implementation & impact
18:15 Synthesis in the plenary
18:35 Closing dialogue
18:45 End of event


