7th IAHR Africa Congress to Convene in Kigali on “Water Resilience & Innovation”

Rwanda will host researchers, policymakers and young water professionals from across Africa and beyond as the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research holds its flagship regional congress in December 2026.

The 7th Africa Congress of the International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR) will take place in Kigali, Rwanda, from December 8–11, 2026, under the theme “Water Resilience & Innovation.” The Congress will bring together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, industry representatives and young water professionals from across Africa and beyond to exchange knowledge and explore solutions to pressing water and environmental challenges.

Africa’s Mounting Water and Climate Pressures

Water security remains one of the most urgent development challenges facing Africa. The continent is home to some of the world’s most water-stressed regions, where rapid population growth, urbanization and agricultural demand are converging with the accelerating effects of climate change — including more frequent droughts, erratic rainfall, and intensifying floods. These pressures are compounded by aging or insufficient water infrastructure in many countries, as well as the complex interdependence between water availability and energy production, food security, and ecosystem health.

Regional and international research bodies have increasingly emphasized that solving Africa’s water challenges requires cross-border collaboration and knowledge-sharing, rather than isolated national efforts. IAHR, a global professional network of engineers and scientists specializing in hydraulic and environmental engineering, established its Africa Division to help address this need, creating a dedicated platform for the continent’s water research community to convene, collaborate and share emerging science and engineering solutions.

The Kigali Congress builds on a growing series of regional gatherings hosted by the IAHR Africa Division, including its 6th Congress held in Benguerir and Marrakech, Morocco, in December 2024. Rwanda’s selection as host for the 2026 edition reflects the country’s own growing profile in sustainable water management and climate resilience initiatives, as well as its emergence as a regional hub for scientific and policy convenings in East Africa.

A Platform for Cross-Sector Collaboration

Discussions at the Congress will focus on water resources management, climate change adaptation, and the interconnections between water, energy, food security and ecosystems — a framework often referred to as the water-energy-food-ecosystem nexus. This integrated approach reflects a broader shift in how researchers and policymakers are addressing water challenges globally, recognizing that solutions targeting a single sector in isolation often fail to account for ripple effects across interconnected systems.

Organizers say the event will provide a platform for sharing scientific research, engineering advances and practical innovations that can help strengthen water resilience and support sustainable development across the continent. The Congress also aims to contribute to progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, while supporting climate-resilient water futures for both rural and urban communities — a dual focus that acknowledges the distinct challenges facing densely populated urban centers and dispersed rural populations alike.

Call for Contributions

The IAHR Africa Division has issued a call for extended abstracts, inviting contributions that showcase research, innovations and best practices addressing Africa’s water and climate challenges. The call is open to researchers, practitioners, industry professionals, young water professionals, and policymakers, reflecting the Congress’s broad, multi-stakeholder approach to convening the continent’s water community. Selected submissions will be presented during the Congress, offering researchers and practitioners a high-profile venue to share findings with peers, potential collaborators, and policymakers from across the region.

The Congress will also continue IAHR’s tradition of recognizing emerging talent in the field through initiatives such as the Hohai–Africa Student Paper Competition, which honors outstanding papers by undergraduate and postgraduate students based on both written submissions and oral presentations. Supported by Hohai University and the IAHR Africa Division, the award is designed to celebrate innovation, scientific excellence, and relevance to Africa’s water and climate challenges among the next generation of water professionals.

Why the Congress Matters

Events like the IAHR Africa Congress play an important role in bridging the gap between scientific research and practical, on-the-ground implementation. By convening researchers alongside policymakers, industry representatives, and young professionals in a single venue, the Congress creates opportunities for knowledge developed in academic and technical settings to inform real-world policy and engineering decisions — a connection that is often difficult to achieve through disparate national or sector-specific initiatives.

With climate change continuing to intensify water-related risks across Africa, gatherings such as this one are increasingly viewed as essential venues for coordinating regional responses, sharing emerging technologies, and building the professional networks needed to sustain long-term progress on water security and resilience.

Further details on registration, submission guidelines, and the full Congress program are available through the official 7th IAHR Africa Congress website, with inquiries directed to the organizing committee.

Source: International Association for Hydro-Environment Engineering and Research (IAHR), Africa Division.