Call for Applications: Water Innovation Showcase

Nov 4, 2026

7th IAHR Africa Division Congress "Water Resilience and Innovation"
Kigali, Rwanda | 8 - 11 December 2026

Call for Applications: Water Innovation Showcase

Call for Water Innovators

Selected innovators will have 3 minutes and one slide to present their ideas, connect with experts, and explore potential partnerships. Best pitches will receive a Certificate of Achievement.

How to apply: Submit a 2-slide PowerPoint (Slide 1: applicant details; Slide 2: innovation pitch) to contact@iahr-af2026.com.

Email subject: 3MT-IAHR-AC
Application deadline: 15 November 2026
Pitching date: 11 December 2026
Congress dates: 8–11 December 2026

Water Innovation Showcase Webpage

Keynote Speakers

We are delighted to announce the first confirmed keynote speakers for the 7th IAHR Africa Division Congress 2026:

Dr. Ousmane Seidou
University of Ottawa

Professor Innocent Nhapi
Professional Engineer

Professor Innocent Nhapi is a Zimbabwean Professional Engineer and water, sanitation and hygiene specialist with over 30 years of experience in engineering, academia, research and water-sector development. He holds an MSc from the University of Technology Sydney, Australia, and a PhD from UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, the Netherlands. He previously served as the SADC–WaterNet Professorial Chair in Integrated Water Resources Management at the University of Zimbabwe and as Full Professor of Environmental Engineering at Chinhoyi University of Technology. His expertise includes integrated water resources management, environmental engineering, sanitation, institutional development and climate resilience. Professor Nhapi has undertaken consultancy assignments for international organisations, including the World Bank, African Development Bank, UNICEF, UNESCO and UN-Habitat. He has also published extensively on water and sanitation-related topics. In 2023, he received the P.H. Havilland Award from the Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers in recognition of his contributions to water management.
Dr. Ousmane Seidou, P.Eng., Ph.D., is a Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Ottawa and a Senior Research Fellow at the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH). His expertise spans hydrology, water resources management, flood and drought risk assessment, and climate change adaptation, with a particular focus on Africa. He is a Lead Author of Chapter 16 (Water) of the IPCC Seventh Assessment Report (AR7) and has contributed as an expert to the UNFCCC’s UAE–Belém Work Programme on Global Goal on Adaptation indicators. His work bridges scientific research, innovative technologies, and evidence-based decision-making to advance sustainable and climate-resilient water management.

More Info About the Speakers

Register Now – Deadline: 8 November 2026

The registration for the 7th IAHR Africa Division Congress is now open. Register before 8 November 2026 to benefit from the Standard Registration Fee.

With the theme "Water Resilience & Innovation," the 7th IAHR Africa Congress will be held from 8–11 December 2026 in Kigali, Rwanda. The Congress will gather hydro-environment professionals across Africa and beyond to foster collaboration, innovation, and knowledge exchange on the continent's most pressing water and environmental challenges.

The Congress will explore the multi-faceted issues at the intersection of water resources management, climate resilience, and the links between water, energy, food security, and ecosystems. It will provide a platform for experts, researchers, practitioners, young professionals, and decision-makers to share cutting-edge insights, scientific research, and innovativesolutions in hydro-environmental engineering and water management.

Rooted in the theme of innovation and resilience, the Congress aims to advance progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and support both rural and urban communities in building climate-resilient, sustainable water futures.

Congress Theme "Water Resilience and Innovation"

The 7th IAHR Africa Congress is a landmark event that centers around the pivotal theme of Water Resilience & Innovation. The global gathering will address the multifaceted challenges posed by the dynamic intersection of water resources management, climate change adaptation, and the intricate interplay between water, energy, food security, and nature. It shall provide a platform for experts, researchers, and practitioners from around the world to converge and share cutting-edge insights, groundbreaking research, and new solutions in the field of water engineering to meet these challenges.

As nations grapple with the effects of climate change, the Congress will delve into innovative water engineering that adapts to the evolving challenges posed by a changing hydro-environment. Another focal point of the Congress will be the exploration of innovative concepts that alleviate the increasing pressure on the water-energy-food nexus and acknowledge the intrinsic linkages between these vital resources. Understanding and optimizing this nexus is crucial for fostering sustainable development, and the Congress shall promote the global exchange and collaboration for integrated approaches that maximize these interconnected resources.

Finally, a key objective of the 7th IAHR Africa Congress 2026 in Kigali is to address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to water resources. These goals encompass a spectrum of global targets to tackle issues ranging from clean water and sanitation access to sustainable cities and communities, climate action, and life below water and on land.

Congress Sub-themes

Water supply & Sanitation technologies and services
Water Regulatory Services
Integrated water management and planning
Urban resilience in African cities
Flood and drought management
Wetlands and critical ecosystems management

Keydates

Extended Abstracts submission deadline: 31 July 2026
Notification of Acceptance: 15 August 2026
Registration with Early Bird Deadline: 15 October 2026
Congress Dates: 8-11 December 2026

Programme Overview

Kigali, Rwanda

Rwanda has emerged as one of Africa's premier destinations for international conferences, hybrid meetings, and high-level events. With world-class venues, excellent connectivity, and warm hospitality, the country offers an ideal environment for participants attending the 7th IAHR Africa Congress 2026.

Kigali, the capital, is celebrated for its safety, cleanliness, and welcoming atmosphere. Getting around the city is easy and enjoyable, thanks to well-maintained roads, efficient public transport, and convenient ride-hailing services. Visitors often remark on how effortless it is to navigate Kigali and how organized the city feels.

Rwanda's reputation as a top MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) destination continues to grow. RwandAir connects to more than 30 destinations, while major international carriers such as KLM, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, and Kenya Airways ensure seamless travel to and from Kigali. Delegates also benefit from a visitor-friendly visa policy, with a fully digital e-Visa system and visa on arrival for nationals of African Union, Commonwealth, and La Francophonie countries.

Beyond the conference venues, Kigali offers a unique mix of nature and innovation. The city features restored urban wetlands and eco-parks that showcase Rwanda's leadership in environmental conservation. These green spaces, including native fig forests, rehabilitated streams, ponds for flood control, and reed-bed systems for natural water purification, provide peaceful spots to walk, relax, or enjoy the city's biodiversity.

For those looking to explore further, Rwanda's natural wonders are truly unforgettable. Visitors can go on a Big Five safari in Akagera National Park, meet mountain gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, soak in the beauty of Lake Kivu, hike to Bisoke Crater Lake, or explore the rainforests of Nyungwe and Gishwati–Mukura. Every destination reflects Rwanda's commitment to conservation, sustainability, and genuine hospitality.

Hohai University Special Award for IAHR Africa Congress 2026

We are excited to announce the Hohai University Special Award for the 7th IAHR Africa Congress 2026 edition. Modeled similarly to the John F Kennedy Student Paper Competition for the IAHR World Congress, this award will recognize and celebrate outstanding contributions during the event to the field of hydro-environmental research and engineering. The Hohai University IAHR Africa Congress Student Paper Competition recognises conference papers from undergraduate and postgraduate students on the basis of written and oral presentations at the IAHR Africa Congress.

"We are honored to recognize and support talented students whose work focuses on addressing Africa’s water-related challenges, including water security, water scarcity, and the impact of climate change."
Prof. Jinhai Zheng, Hohai University