FIEDA 2026 : À Bruxelles, Anna Mbengue connecte les entrepreneurs de la diaspora africaine
Since Friday, June 5, 2026, Brussels, the European capital, has been hosting the second edition of the International Fair for Entrepreneurs of the African Diaspora (FIEDA). Led by promoter Anna Mbengue, this event has established itself as the essential hub for economic intelligence and business opportunities for the global African diaspora. Featuring high-level panels on the ecological transition, the housing of tomorrow, and public-private co-investment, this 2026 edition highlights the diaspora’s driving role in the continent’s development, with the participation of large ministerial and diplomatic delegations.
A diplomatic opening and strong “country branding” for Guinea and Congo
FIEDA 2026 kicked off under the best possible circumstances on Friday morning, June 5th, with the participation of numerous diplomatic authorities. The Congo, the guest of honor at this edition, marked the event with a strong turnout on Saturday, June 6th. The proceedings were officially opened by the Congolese Ambassador to Belgium, alongside the Congolese Minister of Urban Planning.
Guinea also made a major strategic move on the first day. An information seminar, graced by the joint presence of the Belgian Ambassador to Guinea and the Guinean Ambassador to Belgium, highlighted the country’s economic opportunities. The core of this “country branding” was the presentation of the gigantic integrated complex of Simandou.
The Simandou 2050 mining project, estimated at over $20 billion, is a mega-investment designed to transform Guinea into one of the world’s leading producers of very high-grade iron ore, redefining its place among major African economic players.
### **Local Senegalese Content and Ecological Transition: Rethinking the African City**
Senegal displayed a particularly structured presence with a strong “Local Content”. Key institutions such as the SN HLM, the DGPU (General Delegation of the Urban Centers of Diamniadio and Lac Rose), the International Organization of the Francophonie (OIF), as well as financial firms and national entrepreneurs actively participated in the discussions.
Led by experts and moderated by Jacqueline Fatima Bocoum—a renowned figure in institutional communication who supports the promotion of Senegal’s national image—the thematic panels captivated the audience. Discussions focused on industry, sustainability, and housing, with compelling themes such as “The DRC facing ecological challenges and climate change: what solutions?” and “Investing in the Africa of Tomorrow means first building what we don’t see: governance, security, sustainability: the foundations that protect Diaspora funds.”
The panel dedicated to “Financing the Housing of Tomorrow in Africa,” led by the Director General of the National Social Housing Company (SN HLM) and the Director of Partnerships at the Directorate General of Urban Planning (DGPU), resulted in a shared strategic vision summarized by the three pillars: “Industrialize without repeating mistakes, provide housing without overdeveloping territories, and accelerate the ecological transition without hindering growth.” The participants unanimously agreed that the smart African cities of tomorrow, like the Diamniadio hub cited as an example for its mix of housing types, must integrate decentralized solar energy, the circular economy, green roofs, and raw earth bricks.
Brussels, a strategic choice to catalyze diaspora entrepreneurship
At the origin of this synergy is Anna Mbengue, a Senegalese citizen who has been living in Belgium for about fifteen years. By initiating FIEDA, her mission is to connect the various entrepreneurial ecosystems of African diasporas in the European Union in order to build a more competitive, inclusive economy that fosters joint ventures.
The choice of Brussels as the venue for this event is no accident and offers significant added value. Home to the European Commission and the main workplace of Members of the European Parliament, the Belgian capital is the decision-making heart of the EU-27, while the General Secretariat of the European Parliament remains based in Luxembourg. This central location in Brussels offers unique potential for catalyzing B2B partnerships and connecting diaspora entrepreneurs with European SMEs.
Beyond simple remittances, the diaspora is proving to be a true engine of development, capable of bringing expertise, innovation and business networks to stimulate job creation and growth on the African continent.
Auteur: Aicha FALL
Publié le: Lundi 08 Juin 2026