Gemini Africa Champions Youth Innovation and International Collaboration at the EU–Egypt Youth Innovation Summit 2026

Gemini Africa participated as a strategic partner in the EU–Egypt Youth Innovation Summit 2026, held on 29 October at the American University in Cairo's Tahrir Campus. The summit brought together young innovators, policymakers, international organizations, academic institutions, and entrepreneurship experts to advance youth-led innovation and foster international collaboration in addressing pressing challenges related to water management, climate change, sustainability, and smart agriculture. Organized by Wavemakers United in partnership with the AUC Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, the summit provided a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and practical solutions, bringing together stakeholders from Egypt, the European Union, and the Netherlands.

As a strategic partner, Gemini Africa played an active role throughout the initiative, contributing to capacity-building activities, the evaluation of innovative projects, panel discussions, and high-level policy dialogue, reinforcing its commitment to supporting young entrepreneurs and connecting emerging talent with the expertise and opportunities needed to create meaningful impact. Adly Thoma, Chairman and CEO of Gemini Africa, delivered opening remarks during the summit's official programme, alongside representatives from the EU Delegation to Egypt, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, AUC, and Wavemakers United. His participation highlighted the importance of strengthening entrepreneurship ecosystems, encouraging cross-sector collaboration, and creating opportunities for young innovators to transform promising ideas into sustainable ventures.

A further highlight was Gemini Africa's contribution to the summit's panel discussions. Ingy El Kamhawy, Operations Manager at Gemini Africa, participated in “Water for All: Gender, Inclusivity and Youth in Water Governance,” contributing to discussions on the importance of inclusive participation, particularly the involvement of women and young people in shaping sustainable solutions to water-related challenges. She was also part of the expert jury responsible for evaluating the top 10 finalist teams in the Young Champion Challenge 2026, assessing innovative solutions developed by young entrepreneurs addressing pressing environmental and sustainability challenges.

Gemini Africa's involvement extended to the Young Champion Challenge 2026, an innovation programme that brought together young participants to develop solutions addressing water security, sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, coastal management, and emerging technologies. During the challenge camp, held from 25 to 28 October, participants developed their ideas, strengthened their business models, and prepared to present their projects to an expert jury. As part of the programme, Mohamed Osman, Senior Programs and Digital Engagement Officer at Gemini Africa, delivered an interactive masterclass titled “Advanced Pitch Craft,” equipping young innovators with practical skills in structuring compelling pitches, communicating their value propositions, and confidently presenting their solutions to potential investors and stakeholders.

The challenge culminated in the final Demo Day, where 10 shortlisted teams presented their innovations before an expert jury, demonstrating the potential of youth-led entrepreneurship to address environmental and development challenges. The summit's closing programme celebrated the top five winning teams, recognizing the creativity, dedication, and potential impact of the next generation of innovators.

Through its active involvement in the summit, Gemini Africa reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young people, promoting inclusive entrepreneurship, and building partnerships that bridge innovation, policy, and sustainable development. By combining practical mentorship, expert engagement, and international collaboration, Gemini Africa continues to support the development of an entrepreneurial ecosystem in which young innovators can turn ideas into viable solutions with lasting economic, social, and environmental impact.