DIASPORA AFRICA CONFERENCE – HOUSTON 2026

Conference Theme: “Building Africa’s Future: Harnessing the Power of the African Diaspora”
Houston, Texas | February 25–27, 2026

​

   DAY 1 – WELCOME & POWER NETWORKING RECEPTION

Wednesday, February 25 | 5:00 PM – 8:15 PM
Venue: Thompson Hotel Houston (Bar & Poolside) 1717 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas 77019

Agenda:

• 4:00–5:00 PM – VIP Pre-Reception: Private meet-and-greet for sponsors, speakers, and government dignitaries.

• 5:00–5:15 PM – Opening Remarks: Welcome message from Conference Chair & Houston City Representative.

• 5:15–5:45 PM – Keynote Fireside Chat: 
  “The Power of Diaspora Capital: Building Africa’s Next Economy.”

• 5:45–6:15 PM – Cultural Fusion Showcase: African spoken word, and live Afrobeats-Jazz performance. 

• 6:15–7:00 PM – Dinner Service Begins & networking icebreakers.

• 7:00–7:30 PM – Diaspora Impact Feature:
  5-minute film + testimonials: “From Houston to Home: Diaspora Entrepreneurs Investing in Africa.”

• 7:30–8:00 PM – Speed Networking Session: Color-coded badges by industry (Tech, Energy, Health, Finance, Creative, Policy).

• 8:00–8:15 PM – Closing Toast: “The Diaspora Pledge” – unity moment led by the conference host.

​

   DAY 2  – DIASPORA AFRICA WORKSHOPS

Thursday 26th February, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM 

The ION 4201 Main Street Houston Texas 77002

WORKSHOP DAY: “Investing in Africa’s Next Frontier”

Attendees choose one of five concurrent sessions: 

8:30 – 10:00 AM Investor & Trade Breakfast – Roundtable with VCs, government reps, and private sector leaders.

9:00  – 12:00 PM 

• SESSION 1: Invest in Zanzibar: Blue Economy & Tourism Innovation - Embassy of Tanzania, DC

Focus: Coastal investment opportunities in hospitality, tourism, and the ocean economy — exploring Zanzibar’s growing global brand and sustainable travel sector.

• SESSION 2: Invest in Ghana: Heritage Meets Opportunity - Ghana Investment Promotion Center (GIPC).

• Focus: Real estate, agribusiness, and creative industry ventures, especially for diasporans returning or seeking to build in the “Year of Return” legacy economy. 

• Moderator: Nkechi Akunyili - CEO Access View Africa GH

• Panelists: 

  • Yusif Mustapha - Regional and Global Operations (GIPC), GH

  • Sheba Awuah-Darko - CEO & Founder, KaYen Skinscience, GH

  • Ayo Jones Speaker | Author | Founder, Expat Life Ghana, GH

  • Terri Young - Founder and CEO Z3 Carolinas (USA) and Z3 Ghana (West Africa), NC

​

• SESSION 3: Invest in Kenya: “Gateway to East Africa’s Tech & Trade Hub - Kenya Diaspora Alliance (KDA)

 Focus: Kenya’s booming innovation ecosystem, logistics, fintech, and trade partnerships.

​

• SESSION 4: Invest in Nigeria: Africa’s Powerhouse of Innovation & Industry - Zenith Bank

Focus: Expanding opportunities in Nigeria’s energy, entertainment, and digital economy — leveraging diaspora capital and partnerships. economy. 

• Moderator: Nancy Taiye Aragbaye - Convener Diaspora Returns Initiative GA

• Panelists: 

  • Mr. Laolu Davies - Yemitan - Chairman Nigerian American Chamber of Commerce of Texas, TX

  • Jaygbes Napoloen Ogbole - Co-Founder & CEO Pinnick Foods Ltd. CA

​.​

​12:00 PM -3:00 PM

Diaspora Africa Lunch - ChopnBloc 507 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX

​​​

   DAY 3 – MAIN CONFERENCE DAY

Friday, February 27 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The ION 4201 Main Street Houston Texas 77002

Morning Session (9:00 AM – 12:30 PM):

9:00 – 9:30 AM – Opening Ceremony: Invocation, Welcome Remarks - Queen Uche - CEO Uche Foundation, CA

9:30 – 10:00 AM – Keynote Address: “

• Speaker: Dr. Reginald DesRoches - President of Rice University, TX

10:00 – 11:00 AM 

• African Culture & Identity Panel 

• Topic: “Redefining the African Identity: From Roots to Renaissance” 

• Moderator: Dr. Judith Anderson - Co-chair Black, Race, and Ethnic Studies initiative across the City University of New York’s 25 college system.

• Panelists: 

  • Junious Whitaker IV - Howard University, DC

  • Ijeoma Anadu-Okoli - CEO Umu Igbo Unite, TX

  • Sherwin K. Bryant, PhD - Associate Professor of History Director, Center for African and African American Studies Rice University, TX

11:00 – 11:20 AM 

• Keynote Address:“The Decade of the Diaspora: Africa’s Path to Economic Transformation.” 

  • Keynote Speaker: Dr. Adaora Umeoji, Managing Director & CEO, Zenith Bank PLC

11:20 – 11:55 AM Panel Discussion: Digital Economy, Tech & Innovation 

• Topic: “How the Diaspora Can Lead Africa’s Next Leap” 

• Moderator: Dr. Mayowa Olusoji Financial Exponentialist, TX

• Panelists: ​

  • Ola Adedoyin - Founder Tlcopilot.ai, TX

  • Joseph Wehbe - Chief AI Ecosystem Builder/CEO at DAIMLAS Corp, MA

  • Laquita J. Cyprian - VP Business Banking First Horizon Bank, TX

  • William Johnson - CEO W Johnson Consulting, TX

12:00 – 12:30 PM – Conference Lunch & Diaspora Marketplace: Enjoy lunch  & pop-up vendor booths featuring African-owned brands, tech demos, and art exhibits.

• Check out our Interactive Wall: “Where Are You From in Africa?” map + “My Diaspora Story” video booth.

12:30 - 1:00 PM 

• Keynote Address: Diaspora Africa Remittances 

  • Keynote Speaker: Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, CEO & Chairman of Nigeria Diaspora Commission (NIDC)

1:00 - 1:30 PM - Panel Discussion: Agrotrade

• Topic: “Sylvester Turner’s Vision for U.S. Africa Agri-investment”

• Moderator: Warren Winston - Managing Director Global Initiatives for Winston Worldwide LLC, TX

• Panelists:​​

  • Bamidele Owoola - CEO of Welcome to Africa International, NG

  • Jaygbes Napoloen Ogbole - Co-Founder & CEO Pinnick Foods Ltd. CA

  • Eng. Ronald Katamba CEO & Founder Jaguza Tech and Afrosoft IT solution, Kampala, UG

1:30 - 2:00 PM - Panel Discussion: Real Estate 

• Topic: “Real Estate Pathways for Diaspora Investment and Homeownership in Africa”

• Moderator: CDR Victor Lofinmakin - President Fairdale Realty & Gazette Mortgage, TX

• Panelists:

  • Dr Kennedy Nnadi - CEO PENNEK GLOBAL, TX

  • Dr Billy Okoye - CEO SOLD 100, MD

  • Dr Iyke Michaels Odenigwe - MD  CENTENARY City  FZE, NG

2:00 - 2:30 PM - Panel Discussion: Energy 

• Topic: "Powering the Future: Integrating AI, Critical Minerals, and Smart Technology into the U.S.-Africa Energy Value Chain"

•  Moderator:  Lady B Bless - Co-Founder African & Caribbean Energy Network (ACEN) 

• Panelists:

  • Prof Billy Okey Okoye - Former GED Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), TX

  • Dr. Cesar R. Abeigner - Energy Executive and Geoscientist, TX

  • Nathalie Lum Chairwoman Central Africa Business & Energy Forum (CABEF). TX

  • Mr. Madingue Djasro, P.Eng. PMP - CEO, Tawara Group British Columbia Canada, CA
     

2:30-3:00 PM - Panel Discussion - Education & Youth Empowerment

• Topic:  Healing Our Roots: 
How the African Diaspora Shapes Early Childhood Engagement & Ai Generation

• Moderator: Dr. Eunetra Ellison - Director of Early Head Start & Child Development, TX

• Panelists:

  • Amb Juliet Obi - Founder Kidpreneur Africa, NG

  • Yemisi Akinneye - Owner, Mathnasium of Woodmore and Mathnasium of Bowie Learning Centers, TX

  • ​

3:00-3:30 PM - Panel Discussion: Creative Economy & Bilateral Entrepreneurship

• Topic: "The Houston-Africa Digital Corridor: Architecting Bilateral Ecosystems for Global Scale."

• Moderator: Jazmine Jones- Founder of The Business Umbrella, the StrategizeYou mentorship program, and Community
  Cultivation Network & Studios (CCN), TX

• Panelists:

  • Ugo Udezue - Sports Executive | Brand Architect | Sports Infrastructure & Media Leader, TX

  • Naomi Nwokolo CEO United Nations Global Compact Nigeria, TX

  • Ukeme Daniel E. MD, MPH - Founder, The Beta Collective, TX

3:30 - 4:00 PM - ​Panel Discussion: Healthcare & Wellness

• Topic: "Brain Gain: Mobilizing Diaspora Expertise and Technology for Global Standards in African Clinical Care

• Moderator: Dr. Kike Oduba MD, MPH - CEO: WellnessWits Inc. TX

• Panelists:

  • Mike Morris - CEO Kerico Healthcare, TX

  • Tamara Thomas - God is My GPS Podcast, TX

  • Dr. Damonica Gorrell, PharmD, RPh - Founder & Pharmacist-in-Charge, The Apothecary Compounding Pharmacy, TX

  • Mr. Obioha Nwabugwu Chukwuma - Founder 12 step Addiction Rehabilitation Hospital Nigeria, OK

4:00 - 5:00 PM - Closing Remarks

​

    DIASPORA AFRICA  NIGHT

Theme: “The Future Is Us: Honoring Diaspora Excellence & African Brilliance”

8:00 – 11:00 PM - Bald Kitty 1113 Providence St, Houston, TX 77002
6:00–6:30 PM – Champagne Reception & Red Carpet:

• Host/Red Carpet - Queen Uche

• Live band, media interviews, photo wall, and cultural cocktails.

6:30 – 6:45 PM – Host Welcome & Day 2 &3  Highlights Recap

6:45 – 7:15 PM – Cultural Showcase:

• Live African drumming, dance, poetry 

7:15–7:30 PM – Diaspora Reflection Speaker:
“What It Means to Be a Global African Today.”

7:30 – 8:30 PM – Dinner & Table Networking:

• Afro-fusion dining experience featuring curated cultural performances.

8:30 – 9:00 PM – Diaspora Impact Awards Ceremony:
Honoring excellence in:

1. Diaspora Africa Investor of the Year

2. Diaspora Africa Youth Innovator Award

3. Diaspora Africa Cultural Ambassador Award

4. Diaspora Africa Partner of the Year

9:00–11:00 PM – Live Band, DJ & Afterparty:

• Celebration of Afrobeat, Jazz, and Caribbean rhythms.

• Optional VIP Afterparty Lounge (10:00 PM–12:00 AM).