The Africa-Nordic Innovation & Investment Forum (ANIIF) will hold its inaugural edition in Stockholm from November 13–14, 2025, aiming to deepen cross-continental collaboration on innovation, sustainable investment, and economic diplomacy.
Branded under the theme “Bridging Boundaries: Scaling African Innovation through Nordic Partnerships,” the forum is expected to attract over 300 participants, including African subnational government officials, Nordic investors, technology hubs, and diplomatic envoys. It will take place at The Epicenter, Stockholm’s flagship tech and sustainability hub.
Organised by the Africa Nordic Innovation Exchange, the event is positioned as more than a conventional conference. “It’s a platform for deals, dialogue, and diplomacy that will shape the next chapter of Africa-Nordic cooperation,” said Deji Garuba, executive director of the organising body.
Event highlights include investor and government-to-government matchmaking, a dedicated innovation roundtable for subnational governments, keynote panels, and a startup pitch showcase. Participating African regions will have the opportunity to present investment-ready projects and formalise partnerships with Nordic stakeholders through MoUs.
The Nordic region, particularly Sweden, has long been known for its strength in sustainability, digital infrastructure, and inclusive growth models, factors the forum aims to channel into Africa’s rising innovation ecosystems.
Open to subnational governments, startups, development partners, and ecosystem builders, ANIIF 2025 will also serve as a springboard for joint project incubation and policy engagement between the two regions.
The initiative underscores a growing appetite for structured engagement between Africa’s rapidly evolving innovation landscape and the Nordic bloc’s capital, expertise, and institutional frameworks.
