Lyon: Rencontres Africa Lyon 2025
Dates: June 5-6, 2025
Location: Hôtel de Région, Lyon, France
The Rencontres Africa 2025 will take place in Lyon, at the Hôtel de Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, on June 5-6, 2025. This 13th edition of the event aims to promote exchanges and cooperation between economic and institutional actors from French-speaking African regions and France. Participants will have the opportunity to develop partnerships, share experiences, and discuss development projects in Africa.
Event Objectives
The Rencontres Africa aims to foster interactions between economic stakeholders, policy makers, and businesses, including:
- Exchanging with authorities, donors, investors, and businesses.
- Meeting potential clients and partners through tailored B2B meetings.
- Understanding the needs of African stakeholders, with representatives from 20 African countries attending.
A Dual Event
Alongside the Rencontres Africa, the International Association of Francophone Regions (AIRF) will hold its General Assembly and an economic focus session. More than 100 decision-makers and local elected officials will share their needs and engage in sectorial networking meetings with businesses.
Key Sectors for the 2025 Edition
The Rencontres Africa Lyon 2025 will focus on the following sectors, crucial for economic development and cooperation between regions:
- Agro-industry and agriculture
- Water and sanitation
- Energy and energy transition
- Digitalization and technologies
- Tourism and mobility
- Logistics and infrastructure
- Financing and investments
Why Participate in Rencontres Africa Lyon 2025?
1. Meet Key Players
The event will bring together:
- 20 African countries, represented by entrepreneurs, local authorities, and international financial institutions.
- 300 African entrepreneurs, looking for partnerships and investment opportunities.
- 150 decision-makers from African local governments, bringing specific projects.
- 800 French business leaders, seeking to expand their activities in Africa.
2. Tailored B2B Meetings
Businesses will have the opportunity to participate in personalized B2B meetings, organized based on each participant’s specific needs. The process will take place in two stages:
- Preparation of a brief, detailing objectives and expectations.
- The Rencontres Africa team will then arrange meetings with relevant counterparts.
3. Exhibition and Networking Area
Participants will have access to several exhibition spaces, including:
- A dedicated space for companies with scheduled meetings or professional badges.
- An Atrium open to all participants, offering a space for informal networking and expanding professional contacts.
4. Partnerships and Visibility
Partners of Rencontres Africa will benefit from visibility, both online and on-site, through various communication channels. They will also have the chance to:
- Participate in plenary sessions to share their expertise.
- Associate their brand with the event’s media coverage.
- Organize private events within the Rencontres Africa framework, tailored to their specific goals.
Practical Information
- Dates: June 5-6, 2025
- Location: Hôtel de Région, 1 Place de la Région, Lyon, France
- Access: The event is reserved for professionals and registered members, with dedicated spaces for B2B meetings and exhibition stands.
Why Lyon?
Lyon is a strategic location for this event due to its geographical position and its major economic role in Europe. The city is a hub for logistics, industry, digital technologies, and innovation, making it an ideal setting for exchanges between French and African stakeholders.
Conclusion
The Rencontres Africa Lyon 2025 is a key event for businesses and institutions looking to establish partnerships with Africa. Through conferences, B2B meetings, and cooperation projects, the event will contribute to strengthening economic ties between France and Africa.
Organizer
What is AIRF?
The International Association of Francophone Regions (AIRF) is an organization dedicated to promoting the Francophonie of territories and actively participating in the development of a more solidary, diverse, and prosperous Francophone space. Established in 2002 in Lyon, AIRF currently brings together over 180 local governments and around ten national associations of regions across 24 Francophone countries.
Origin and History
AIRF was created at the initiative of three Francophone regions:
- Tombouctou Region (Mali)
- Rabat-Zemmour-Zaër Region (Morocco)
- Rhône-Alpes Region (France)
These regions were united through decentralized cooperation agreements. The association’s goal is to strengthen exchanges, cooperation, and solidarity among Francophone local governments and contribute to the economic and social development of their territories.
Mission and Vision
AIRF acts as a catalyst for economic and social development in Francophone territories. It seeks to promote regional policies adapted to contemporary challenges while fostering decentralized cooperation between local governments.
Its vision is based on several key principles:
- Shared economic development, creating value and employment
- Respect for cultural identities and diversity
- Adaptation to environmental challenges, especially climate change
- Promotion of peace, the rule of law, and human rights
AIRF positions itself as a key actor in supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Francophone territories, in line with the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations.
Key Priorities and Actions
AIRF focuses on several key thematic priorities to address global and local challenges:
- Regionalization and territorial governance: Promoting constructive dialogue between national, territorial, and local levels.
- Inter-regional and cross-border cooperation: Encouraging bilateral and multilateral partnerships between Francophone local governments.
- Economic Francophonie: Stimulating economic exchanges and creating joint development projects.
- Environment and climate change: Supporting sustainable development policies, water management, and renewable energy.
- Youth, education, and culture: Promoting youth inclusion, training, and the valorization of Francophone culture.
Since its General Assembly in 2022, AIRF has redefined its priorities for the 2022-2027 period, placing particular emphasis on:
- Economic cooperation and strategic partnerships between regions.
- Support for Sahelian territories, which face significant security and development challenges.
Modes of Action
AIRF implements various actions to support its members in the execution of their projects:
- Support for territorial projects: AIRF helps local governments design and develop projects, mobilizing international funding.
- Economic and inter-regional meetings: The association organizes events to strengthen economic ties between public and private actors in Francophone regions.
- Capacity building: Training workshops, seminars, and study visits are offered to elected officials and civil servants to improve their governance and public management skills.
- Advocacy for regionalization: AIRF actively advocates for regionalization and supports initiatives that promote better decentralized governance in the Francophone world.
Status and Partnerships
AIRF enjoys consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC) and is also an International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) recognized by the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF). It collaborates with numerous institutions, including the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, the French Development Agency (AFD), and other international funders and organizations.
Members and Partners
AIRF’s members include territorial authorities (regions, departments, provinces, municipalities), associations of local governments, as well as technical and financial partners. AIRF has signed cooperation agreements with regional and international partners, including the Organisation of United Regions (ORU/FOGAR).
