[vc_row_inner css=".vc_custom_1666202710030{background-color: rgba(255,124,25,0.6) !important;background-color: rgb(255,124,25) !important;}" el_id="eventdetailsboxesrow"] [mvc_infobox info_style="mega_info_box_2" info_opt="show_icon" title_color="#ffffff" font_icon="far fa-calendar-alt" info_title="Event Date" icon_color="#ffffff" border_clr="#d3d3d3"]Sep. 01 - Sep. 7 2025[/mvc_infobox] [mvc_infobox info_style="mega_info_box_2" info_opt="show_icon" title_color="#ffffff" font_icon="fas fa-phone-alt" info_title="Event Location" icon_color="#ffffff" border_clr="#d3d3d3"]Helsinki, Finland / Online[/mvc_infobox] [mvc_infobox info_style="mega_info_box_2" info_opt="show_icon" title_color="#ffffff" font_icon="fas fa-phone-alt" info_title="Call Us" icon_color="#ffffff" border_clr="#d3d3d3"]+358 50 5534444[/mvc_infobox] [mvc_infobox info_style="mega_info_box_2" info_opt="show_icon" title_color="#ffffff" font_icon="fas fa-envelope" info_title="Email Us" icon_color="#ffffff" border_clr="#d3d3d3"]info@thinkafrica.fi[/mvc_infobox] The world is changing fast. Policies shift, societies adapt, identities evolve. And Diaspora communities are no longer just adapting; they’re leading.
Think Africa Week 2025 is a rallying point to stand at the intersection of change, courage, and creativity. Since 2013, this flagship series of events has grown into one of the largest Africa- and African diaspora-inspired gatherings in Finland — a thought-leadership platform where matters relevant to both the African diaspora and Finnish society are addressed head-on.
Over the years, we’ve welcomed 3,000+ attendees, reached 100,000+ people online, and built trust with 50+ partners across public and private sectors, civic society, and research institutions. From policy dialogues to cultural showcases to grassroots action, Think Africa Week is where ideas turn into action.
In 2025, a year of political, environmental, and personal transitions, our theme dares us to not just survive change, but shape it. Together, we’ll explore:
• Policy shifts & personal agency
• Creative resistance & resilience
• New tools for collective action
This year’s programme spans a whole week of dynamic activities that are shown below. Let us know you are coming by registering!
A warm welcome! Invite your friends, colleagues, and networks to be part of this celebration of courage, creativity, and community. [lvca_spacer] [lvca_tabs style="style8" mobile_width="600"][lvca_tab tab_id="tab-68a2ebe15efa5" tab_title="Sep 1-7 | One on one mentorship"]
During this year's Think Africa Week we are trying something new! We are facilitating one-on-one meetups between those seeking job and entrepreneurial guidance with those that have expertise in areas such as CV, Cover letter and LinkedIn optimization, Networking, Personal storytelling, Business Financing, Market Fit, among others. For at least 45 min, you can get support where you most need it. All the mentors are listed here. Read more about them, find your match, and book your slot.
[/lvca_tab][lvca_tab tab_title="Sep 3 | Connect & Unlock Career and Business Possibilities"]
Where : WithSecure Corporation, Välimerenkatu 1, 00180 Helsinki
Looking to break into Finland’s hidden job market, the 80% of opportunities that never get advertised? Or ready to take your entrepreneurial journey to the next level?
We’ll have a dynamic networking event designed to connect you with mentors, industry experts, and fellow opportunity seekers. From career breakthroughs to business insights, this is where connections turn into possibilities.
Highlights:
✔ Mentor–mentee sessions (17:50 - 19:00)
✔ Insider strategies for career and business growth
✔ Networking with diversity-driven companies & leaders
Programme:
16:00 Event doors open (Refreshments available)
16:30 Opening of event by MC and Entertainer Enoch Gyasi
16:40 Think Africa Week opening - speech by Akin Akinsola, Chairperson of Think Africa
16:50 Lived experience story, Saber Kordestanchi, Chief Strategy Officer & Co-founder at Hostaway
17:10 Lived experience story: Career by Amir Otsmane, UI UX Designer / Project Coordinator, Proximi.io
17:25 Importance of unions for Internationals, with Teddy Tran, International Liaison at Suomen Ekonomit
17:40 Importance of mentorship by Myriam Munezero, Supervisor of Think Career
17:45 Ice breaker with the MC
17:50 One on one mentorship + general networking (Refreshments and African treats by Loonie Cookies)
19:00 Opportunities for internalisation from Finnpartnership, with Birgit Nevala, Program Director at Finnpartnership
19:20 Presentation on strategies into hidden market as a job seeker by Liidia Salo, Founder of Get Hired Finland
19:40 Mingling
20:00 Event ends
Event Host: Enoch Afrane Gyasi
Enoch Gyasi, is a Ghanaian-born entertainer and cultural connector based in Tampere, Finland. Renowned for his vibrant energy as an MC and event host, he made waves in July, 2022 and has hosted over 40 events across the country in 2024 alone.
He founded and hosts “Hangout With Enoch Gyasi” of which Shoot Your Shot derived, a business networking event held in May at Vertiggo, Finland, designed to empower young entrepreneurs and creatives. Enoch Gyasi's work bridges cultures, inspires collaboration, and amplifies Afro-diasporic voices in the Nordics.
Keynote Speakers:
Programme Director of Finnpartnership programme at Finnfund, 2013 - present.
Finnpartnership is a program of Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs and it is operated by Finnfund, the Finnish development financier and impact investor.
Finnpartnership gives seed funding for Finnish companies as grants for long
term business projects such as JV, subsidiary, subcontracting, franchising, licensing and exporting to Finland, the kind of commercial activities that create sustainable jobs in the target country. It also facilitates Matchmaking between Finnish companies and companies in developing markets. Financing also includes opportunities to collaborate with UN-organizations and NGO’s, with for example piloting technologies and co-creating innovations.
Lidiia Salo is a career coach and founder of Get Hired in Finland, helping highly-educated professionals navigate the Finnish job market and secure opportunities faster. She combines practical job search strategies with an understanding of cross-cultural challenges, drawing on her own experience of building a career in Finland.
Akin Akinsola
Akin Akinsola serves as Chairperson for Think Africa. Prior to that he has served in different positions, first as a Board member, the Community and Outreach Manager, and a member of the Communication and Strategic Partnerships team. Akin is also the coordinator for The African Conversation. He is an engineer by education and profession.
Saber Kordestanchi
Saber Kordestanchi, Co-founder & Chief Strategy Officer of Hostaway, a leading global SaaS platform for short-term rentals.Saber moved to Finland in 2011 as a student. Today? With a strong background in tech he has helped grow a startup to $550M in funding, became one of Finland’s TOP taxpayers and is on a mission to support migrant entrepreneurs.
Amir Otsmane, UI UX Designer / Project Coordinator, Proximi.io
Amir is a cross-functional Project Manager with a tech backbone and a passion for building systems and teams that thrive. His journey spans smart mapping projects at Proximi.io, national leadership at AIESEC Finland, and AI-driven solutions. With dual Master’s degrees in Project Management and Engineering, Amir bridges strategy, UX, and technology to deliver lasting impact.
Teddy Tran
Teddy Tran is the International Liaison Coordinator at Suomen Ekonomit, where they support international students and professionals in navigating Finland’s job market and understanding their rights as well as benefits having membership in a labour union such as Suomen Ekonomit. Previously, Teddy led the Entrepreneurship Lab at Aalto University, co-designing and running one of the university’s flagship entrepreneurship programs. With over four years of experience coaching 60+ startup teams and 400+ students, Teddy understands the difficulties and challenges that international talents face when they want to do more than survive in Finland. [/lvca_tab][lvca_tab tab_title="Sep 4 | The Power of Policy & Tools for Navigating Change in Finland"]
Where: The Theatre Academy Helsinki, Haapaniemenkatu 6, 00530 Helsinki.
From the three-month unemployment rule to a new Citizenship test, we are living in a time of major policy shifts in Finland. Understanding how these decisions are made and how they affect our communities is more important than ever. Think Africa, in collaboration with TIAN and Globe Art Point, bring you an engaging session that will unpack the realities behind immigration, integration, education, NGOs, and entrepreneurship policies, and equip you with tools to navigate and influence change. Not only the shifts that negatively impact us but also those that are positive that we should be taking more advantage of.
Why Attend?
• Gain insider knowledge on governance & rights
• Connect with experts & changemakers
• Learn how to influence policy decisions before they happen
Programme:
13:00 Doors open with refreshments (Coffee, tea, water, fruits, cookies) .
13:15 MC opens event, Akin Akinsola,
13:20 Welcoming words from the organisers
13:35 How to achieve citizen-focused decision-making by Jenni Ala-Peijari, Programs Specialist at Sitra
14:00 Presentation by Refka Elech, City Councilor
14:30 Break with refreshments
15:05 Policy changes by Anna Bruun, Ministerial Advisor, Labour Migration and Integration at Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
15:30 General discussion/dialogue (speakers + audience)
16:00 Networking and refreshments
17:00 Event ends
Meet the Speakers:
🎤 Anna Bruun – Ministerial Advisor, Labour Migration & Integration Anna Bruun is a Ministerial Advisor at Finland’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, working to create fair, inclusive labour markets and prevent exploitation. She leads Nordic cooperation on integration, develops Swedish-language services, and shapes migration policies in national and international forums.
🎤Jenni Ala-Peijari – Specialist, Sitra Jenni Ala-Peijari works at the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, developing digital public governance and inclusive decision-making. With years of experience in government and democracy development, she’s passionate about using technology to boost transparency, participation, and trust in society.
🎤Refka Elech – Human Rights Activist & Politician Refka Elech, a Tunisian-Finnish community leader, is a human rights activist, politician, and entrepreneur. Serving as Deputy Councillor in Vantaa and member of the SDP International Board, she is also a former journalist, writer, and poet, known as one of the leading Arabic-speaking voices in Finland and a strong advocate for integration and inclusion.[/lvca_tab][lvca_tab tab_title="Sep 5 | Wellness & Empowerment For The Youth"]
Where: Annantalo, Annankatu 30, 00100 Helsinki.
Ever felt like you’re doing everything right but still not moving forward?
As a young African in Finland, the path to success isn’t always clear, but it can be done, and you don’t have to do it alone. This is a day of empowerment, entrepreneurship, and self-care, designed to equip young people with tools to thrive in today’s rapidly changing social, economic, and political environment.
Highlights:
✔ Youth Entrepreneurship Sessions: Learn how to kickstart your business with Business Helsinki and hear real-life tips from the founders of Sambusa Oy.
✔ Hands-on Workshop: Upcycle your wardrobe and turn fashion into business with Omolara Odediran.
✔ Inspiring Story: Salma Yahya from sambusa Oy shares their journey of resilience and starting small.
✔ Networking + Food
🎉 Open to youth aged 15–30.
The programme starts at 15:00 and ends at 20:00. More detailed schedule will be published later.
🎤 Speakers:
Jochen Faugel –
Business Helsinki You bring your ambition, and Jochen helps you shape it. With years of experience in both corporates and startups, Jochen specializes in guiding entrepreneurs to find the right opportunities, build strategies, and grow with confidence.
Omolara Odediran – Creative Director, F’Joy Couture As the founder of Finland’s first African-owned bespoke fashion company, you inspire through style and creativity. Omolara helps you see how fashion, entrepreneurship, and cultural identity can combine into a powerful personal journey.
Sambusa oy This summer, three young entrepreneurs launched Sambusa Truck, bringing not only culture but delicious sambusas and sweet treats to the community. Each of them contributes their own strengths from operations and marketing to logistics and finance ,making the food truck a true team effort. With passion, teamwork, and big smiles, they’re serving more than food they’re sharing culture and connection.
Aria Aria is a mentor, cultural leader, and advocate for inclusion. As a MUUSA Mentor at the University of Turku, she supports students in their growth. She also leads EarthAngels of Finland and Say It Loud Black History Month in Finland, promoting empowerment, cultural dialogue, and community building.
Odudu “Odee” Equere Odee is a gospel artist, youth ministry leader, and Hospitality Management graduate passionate about guiding young people with strong values. He champions the empowerment of Africans in Finland, encouraging active contribution and making voices heard.
Harshwardhan Saini
Harshwardhan is a cognitive neuropsychology researcher and PhD student at the University of Helsinki, specializing in virtual reality therapy for social anxiety. He advocates for migrant and youth mental health, blending research with practical, low-cost self-care strategies rooted in cultural understanding.
If you’re a young creative, entrepreneur, or change-maker, this is your space to connect, learn, and grow. Come for the skills, stay for the community. ✨[/lvca_tab][lvca_tab tab_title="Sep 6 | Art, Culture & Connection"]
Where : Annantalo, Annankatu 30, 00100 Helsinki.
Meet the Creatives Behind “Art, Culture & Connection” Think Africa week 2025.
Programme:
14:00 → Doors open with refreshments and exhibitions
14:30 → Dance workshop
15:10 → Art workshop
15:30 → Break with refreshments and exhibitions
15:50 → Storytelling workshop
16:35 → Think Africa Week closing
16:40 → Event ends
Get ready for an afternoon of movement, storytelling, and art with three inspiring workshop leaders from the Afro-diasporic creative community:
Wende Luvinga – Tanzanian-born author of children’s books in Swahili and English, Wende celebrates African folktales and champions diversity in children’s literature through immersive storytelling.
Ondiso Madete – Kenyan multi-disciplinary artist exploring connection, identity, and expression through art, music, dance, and stories. Ondi’s participatory art workshop will inspire creativity and dialogue.
Sikujua Mponda – Producer, choreographer, and dance teacher with roots in Tanzania and a passion for afrobeats and global dance traditions. Siku brings culture to the dance floor, creating community through rhythm and movement.[/lvca_tab][/lvca_tabs][lvca_spacer] [gslogo id="12"]