Media Invitation to the Sustainability Research & Innovation Congress Africa Regional Conference (SRI2026) 

More than 300 researchers, government and civil society experts, funders, entrepreneurs and innovators from across Africa will gather in Cape Town from 24 to 26 June 2026 for the Sustainability Research & Innovation Congress Africa Regional Conference (SRI2026). The conference aims to advance collaborative approaches to addressing the continent’s sustainability challenges and opportunities. Bringing together participants from academia, government, industry, international organisations, civil society and local communities, SRI2026 is expected to foster meaningful dialogue and catalyse action-oriented partnerships that will endure beyond the conference.

The event will be hosted by the Future Earth Africa Hub and its Leadership Centre, supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) in collaboration with the University of Venda. Journalists are invited to cover this important event which will feature opportunities for sessions coverage as well as for sideline one-on-one interviews with experts from South Africa, Africa and the globe. In addition to the opening ceremony, the conference will showcase a range of innovative projects from across the continent, providing rich opportunities for compelling news and feature stories. The conference program is available on https://sricongress.org/.

EVENT DETAILS:

DATE: 24–26 June 2026

VENUE: Southern Sun Cape Sun, Cape Town, Western Cape

TIME: 08:00–17:00

SRI2026 will focus on the promotion of inclusive and impactful research and innovation that address pressing challenges such as climate change, food and water security, public health, biodiversity conservation, social inequality, and resilient economies. The program will feature keynote addresses, scientific sessions, policy dialogues, workshops, networking events, and opportunities for emerging researchers and innovators to showcase their work.

The conference presents a unique opportunity to showcase Africa’s leadership in sustainability science and innovation. By bringing together diverse voices and expertise, it aims to strengthen partnerships that generate practical, inclusive, and transformative solutions to the complex challenges facing our societies.

In addition to the main programme, SRI2026 will provide dedicated spaces for early-career researchers, capacity-building initiatives, and science-policy engagement aimed at ensuring that research findings translate into tangible societal benefits.