Polish–African Development Congress
Partnership. Entrepreneurship. Sustainable development.
2nd edition · May 2027 · Warsaw · venue to be confirmed
A platform positioning Poland as a gateway for Africa–Europe cooperation.
PAKR is an international initiative aimed at creating a durable platform for cooperation between Poland, African states, and partners from Europe and other regions.
The Congress is a space for dialogue between public administration, the private sector, academia and non-governmental organisations, enabling economic, technological and educational cooperation between the regions.
The economic moment
Africa is rising
One of the fastest-growing global markets — demographic growth, urbanisation, infrastructure investment.
Diversifying partnerships
Polish companies are seeking new export markets and durable channels of international cooperation.
Direct connections
Clear demand for direct Africa–Europe business relationships, beyond intermediaries.
Institutional dialogue
Governments and institutions are looking for reliable, long-term cooperation platforms.
Two days, four formats
The Congress combines an expert conference, a business forum and a networking platform — the exchange of knowledge and the initiation of concrete cooperation projects.
Expert panels
Thematic debate across the Congress's key sectors.
B2B matchmaking
Curated meetings between Polish and African enterprises.
Exhibition zone
A presentation space for companies, universities and organisations.
Economic mission
Day-two study visits to enterprises and investment zones.
Seven panel tracks
Energy and energy transition
Including renewable energy sources.
Agriculture and food security
Agri-food technologies and rural development.
Technology and innovation
Digitalisation of the economy and emerging technology.
Infrastructure and industry
Industrial development and logistics corridors.
Academic and educational cooperation
Joint research, exchanges and human capital development.
Healthcare
Health systems and medical technologies.
Finance and investment
Project finance, investment funds and capital from the Gulf.
Two-day overview
Day one
Opening ceremony with Polish and African dignitaries. Parliamentary panel on Europe–Africa political dialogue. Parallel sessions: development cooperation, agriculture and food security, infrastructure and urbanisation, energy and environment, technology and digital transformation, trade and investment, education and human capital. A gala dinner and cultural evening close the day.
Day two
Economic mission and study visits to enterprises and investment zones. Bilateral meetings for delegations and partners, on open scheduling. The Congress closes with a reception for delegations and institutional partners.
The detailed schedule will be published ahead of the Congress. The Organiser reserves the right to adjust the programme for organisational reasons.
Who the Congress brings together
Enterprises and investors
Polish SMEs, companies expanding internationally, and African and European investors.
Public institutions
Ministries, local governments, development agencies and embassies.
Universities and think tanks
Polish and African universities, research institutes and policy organisations.
Development organisations
NGOs, foundations and international development institutions.
Participating economies
Economic profiles are prepared for African countries whose representatives express interest by 31 January 2027. The profiles support B2B matchmaking, identify investment sectors and inform participants' decisions.
Largest economy in Africa
Strong oil and gas; fast-growing fintech and e-commerce.
Diversified economy
Tourism, industry, agriculture and energy; the Suez Canal location supports trade.
Bridge between Europe and Africa
Industry, agriculture, tourism and renewables.
Stable West African economy
Resource extraction, agriculture and growing services; investor-friendly institutions.
Dynamic services economy
Services, agriculture and fisheries; renewable energy and logistics potential.
Innovation-led growth
One of Africa's fastest-growing economies; strong support for digital and eco-tourism.
Macroeconomic stability
Diamonds and sound governance; potential in tourism, IT and agriculture.
Major Sub-Saharan economy
Oil sector with ongoing diversification.
Economy in transformation
Agriculture-led, with extractive development; hydro and solar potential.
Who runs the Congress
Adil Abdel Aati
Founder of the Foundation, Deputy Secretary-General of the African Democratic Alliance for Freedom and Progress (ADAFP), and economic adviser to Arab embassies in Poland 2005-2024. Trained as a journalist and political scientist, he has worked on Europe–Africa and Europe–Middle East cooperation for over two decades.
Wioletta Gejer
Wioletta Wiesława Gejer is a Polish entrepreneur and social activist. In the fpundation she is responsible for the Warsaw Royal Club, Warsaw Royal Chamber and Elite Med Care programmes, for partner relations and for the Foundation's events in Warsaw.
Adil Abdelwahab
An international executive with more than two decades in banking, investment promotion and international business. From 2020 he headed the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) Foreign Trade Office in Dubai. Previously Chief Operating Officer at Crédit Agricole Bank Polska, with senior roles at Bank BPH and Aviva. He is currently International Development Director at FitInvest International, part of the Benefit Systems Group. MBA — London Business School / HEC Paris; MSc in Engineering and Architecture — Warsaw University of Technology. He works in Arabic, English and Polish.
Registration and participation
Participation in the Congress is free of charge and possible only after registration confirmed by the Organiser. Registration is by application form or by direct invitation. The Organiser reserves the right to verify applications in order to preserve the character of the event and the quality of the networking.