Uganda has secured the honour of hosting the 11th edition of UNESCO Africa Engineering Week alongside the 9th African Engineering Conference. Scheduled from 14th to 20th September 2025, the prestigious event will unfold at the Speke Resort Convention Centre in Munyonyo, marking Uganda’s debut as host of this influential continental gathering.

This week-long celebration will convene engineers, academics, policymakers, and industry leaders from across Africa and beyond under the theme “Leveraging Engineering Innovations and Technology to Accelerate Africa’s Socio‑Economic Transformation.” The agenda includes technical sessions on sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy, smart systems, and agricultural engineering, coupled with workshops, public outreach, mentorship forums, and hands-on innovation showcases.

The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), partnering with the Uganda Institution of Professional Engineers (UIPE), spearheaded the successful bid. UTB’s Chief Executive Officer, Juliana Kagwa, emphasized that the event aligns with the national drive to position Uganda as a premier destination for high-profile conferences. “This is more than a conference—it is Uganda’s opportunity to advance the African Union’s Agenda 2063, deepen cross‑border innovation, and celebrate the engineers shaping the continent’s future,” she said.

Tourism officials anticipate the event will contribute significantly to the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) economy, aiming to inject millions into local hotels, services, and tourism attractions.

Organisers expect hundreds of delegates to attend, taking part in policy dialogues, engineering showcases, and field visits that highlight Uganda’s infrastructure projects, including the Standard Gauge Railway, hydroelectric plants, and agro-processing hubs. These site tours will demonstrate how engineering is applied on the ground to meet national development goals. Education plays a central role in the programme, with STEM initiatives, youth engagement, and mentoring sessions designed to inspire the next generation of African engineers.

With the East African MICE market already accounting for a quarter of the continent’s conference business—and Uganda hosting several international summits in recent years—this UNESCO week reinforces Kampala’s rising reputation. The event is a strategic move to elevate the role of engineering in sustainable development while enhancing cross-border collaboration across research, private sector, and policy spheres.

Preparations are in full swing. UTB, UIPE, and the Uganda Convention Bureau (UCB) have formed a national steering committee, begun reaching out to sponsors and partners, and are developing a full programme to ensure meaningful knowledge exchange and engagement.

As Uganda opens its doors this September, the continent will be watching. UNESCO Africa Engineering Week is more than a gathering—it's a platform that celebrates innovation, fuels policy action, and inspires STEM-driven solutions tailored to Africa’s unique development needs.

Africa News

Uganda Gears Up to Host the 2025 UNESCO Africa Engineering Week