The World meets in Giessen 2026
Unsere 4. B2B-Netzwerkkonferenz hat am 9.-10. Juni 2026 in der Kongresshalle in Gießen stattgefunden!
Im Fokus standen praxisnahe Impulse zu aktuellen Wirtschaftsthemen sowie der direkte Austausch zwischen Unternehmern aus zahlreichen Ländern, u.a Nigeria, Brasilien und Cote d'Ivoire.
Programm
June 8, 2026: CCI-Annual Reception 2026
Congress Hall (Kongresshalle) Giessen, Südanlage 3, 35390 Giessen
• 06:00 - 10:00 p.m.: CCI-Annual Reception
Keynote: Germany in crisis - An analysis
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Hans-Werner Sinn
One of Germany's most prominent economists, professor emeritus at LMU Munich and former president of the ifo Institute (1999–2016).
He is considered an expert in public finance, European policy and energy economics
Congress Hall (Kongresshalle) Giessen, Südanlage 3, 35390 Giessen
• 06:00 - 10:00 p.m.: CCI-Annual Reception
Keynote: Germany in crisis - An analysis
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Hans-Werner Sinn
One of Germany's most prominent economists, professor emeritus at LMU Munich and former president of the ifo Institute (1999–2016).
He is considered an expert in public finance, European policy and energy economics
June 9, 2026: The World meets in Giessen
Congress Hall (Kongresshalle) Giessen, Südanlage 3, 35390 Giessen
Morning Program
• 09:00 - 10:00 a.m.: Registration and Welcome Coffee (Small Hall)
• 10:00 - 10:15 a.m.: Welcome and Introduction (Grand Hall: 200 seats)
Dr Matthias Leder, CEO, CCI Giessen-Friedberg
• 10:20 - 10:40 a.m.: Opening Speech (Grand Hall: 200 seats)
Dr Petra Warnecke, Head of the Africa Division, GIZ (confirmed)
• 10:40 - 11:05 a.m.: Keynote: ECOWAS and Nigeria - New momentum in international B2B (Grand Hall: 200 seats)
Dr. Segun H. Olugbile, NACCIMA Digital Economy Coordinator & Chairman, Digital Economy Trade Group (confirmed)
• 11:05 - 11:55 a.m.: Panel Discussion: Successful strategies for Foreign Direct Investments (Grand Hall: 200 seats)
H.E. Ambassador Igor César, Republic of Rwanda (confirmed)
Alhaji Lai Mohammed, former Minister of Information and Culture, Federal Republic of Nigeria (confirmed)
Michael Ries, Hong Kong Trade Development Council, HKTDC (confirmed)
Dirk Lukat, Honorary Ambassador of Foreign Investment Promotion for Korea (confirmed)
Claudia Voss, CEO, Afrika-Verein e.V. (confirmed)
Faruk Kurtulmus, Türkiye Investment Office, Republic Türkiye (confirmed)
Faman Touré, President CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE ET D'INDUSTRIE DE CÔTE D’IVOIRE (confirmed)
Moderator: Bienvenue Angui (confirmed)
Congress Hall (Kongresshalle) Giessen, Südanlage 3, 35390 Giessen
Morning Program
• 09:00 - 10:00 a.m.: Registration and Welcome Coffee (Small Hall)
• 10:00 - 10:15 a.m.: Welcome and Introduction (Grand Hall: 200 seats)
Dr Matthias Leder, CEO, CCI Giessen-Friedberg
• 10:20 - 10:40 a.m.: Opening Speech (Grand Hall: 200 seats)
Dr Petra Warnecke, Head of the Africa Division, GIZ (confirmed)
• 10:40 - 11:05 a.m.: Keynote: ECOWAS and Nigeria - New momentum in international B2B (Grand Hall: 200 seats)
Dr. Segun H. Olugbile, NACCIMA Digital Economy Coordinator & Chairman, Digital Economy Trade Group (confirmed)
• 11:05 - 11:55 a.m.: Panel Discussion: Successful strategies for Foreign Direct Investments (Grand Hall: 200 seats)
H.E. Ambassador Igor César, Republic of Rwanda (confirmed)
Alhaji Lai Mohammed, former Minister of Information and Culture, Federal Republic of Nigeria (confirmed)
Michael Ries, Hong Kong Trade Development Council, HKTDC (confirmed)
Dirk Lukat, Honorary Ambassador of Foreign Investment Promotion for Korea (confirmed)
Claudia Voss, CEO, Afrika-Verein e.V. (confirmed)
Faruk Kurtulmus, Türkiye Investment Office, Republic Türkiye (confirmed)
Faman Touré, President CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE ET D'INDUSTRIE DE CÔTE D’IVOIRE (confirmed)
Moderator: Bienvenue Angui (confirmed)
Lunch break
11:55 - 12:55 pm: (Small Hall)
11:55 - 12:55 pm: (Small Hall)
Afternoon Program
• 12:55 - 1:20 p.m.: Keynote: Tokenization - Democratizing Access to Assets (Grand Hall: 200 seats)
Gabriel Campos (confirmed)
Parallel Session Options
• 12:55 - 1:20 p.m.: Keynote: Tokenization - Democratizing Access to Assets (Grand Hall: 200 seats)
Gabriel Campos (confirmed)
Parallel Session Options
• 1:20 - 2:25 p.m.: Panel Discussion: International energy crises —
how vulnerable are industrialized countries in the East and West?
(Grand Hall: 200 seats)
Video message: Rudolf Scharping, Chairman of the RSBK, former Federal Minister of Defense, Germany (confirmed)
Christian Hiller von Gaertringen, Managing Director, Africa Partners GmbH (confirmed)
Markus Brandt, Head of Business Development & Market Entry | DEinternational Dubai (confirmed)
Dr Joshua Zira, Head of AGRIBUSINESS NORTH, STERLING, Federal Republic of Nigeria (confirmed)
Moderator: Mary Njeri, Co-Lead AiDiA Africa (confirmed)
how vulnerable are industrialized countries in the East and West?
(Grand Hall: 200 seats)
Video message: Rudolf Scharping, Chairman of the RSBK, former Federal Minister of Defense, Germany (confirmed)
Christian Hiller von Gaertringen, Managing Director, Africa Partners GmbH (confirmed)
Markus Brandt, Head of Business Development & Market Entry | DEinternational Dubai (confirmed)
Dr Joshua Zira, Head of AGRIBUSINESS NORTH, STERLING, Federal Republic of Nigeria (confirmed)
Moderator: Mary Njeri, Co-Lead AiDiA Africa (confirmed)
• 1:20 – 2:45 p.m.: SIDE EVENT on Nigeria: Nigeria – more than just a market – how to foster Nigerian German Trade Relations
(Kerkrade Room: 105 seats / Winchester Room: 27 seats)
Eng. Leye Kupoluyi, President LCCI, Lagos, Federal Republic of Nigeria confirmed)
Samirah Saleh, Executive Secretary of WCCIMA, Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria (confirmed)
Elizabeth Lehnich, VdU & Member of the Advisory Board Women in Business (WiB) (confirmed)
Patrick Federl, Advisor, IPD, BGA, Berlin (confirmed)
Tobias Friedrich, Managing Director (COO), Soventix GmbH (confirmed) Moderator: Bassant Helmi, Global Project Partners & Secretary General of Women in Business Network (WiB) (confirmed)
(Kerkrade Room: 105 seats / Winchester Room: 27 seats)
Eng. Leye Kupoluyi, President LCCI, Lagos, Federal Republic of Nigeria confirmed)
Samirah Saleh, Executive Secretary of WCCIMA, Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria (confirmed)
Elizabeth Lehnich, VdU & Member of the Advisory Board Women in Business (WiB) (confirmed)
Patrick Federl, Advisor, IPD, BGA, Berlin (confirmed)
Tobias Friedrich, Managing Director (COO), Soventix GmbH (confirmed) Moderator: Bassant Helmi, Global Project Partners & Secretary General of Women in Business Network (WiB) (confirmed)
Coffee Break
2:35 - 3:15 p.m.: (Small Hall)
2:35 - 3:15 p.m.: (Small Hall)
Parallel Session Options
• 3:15 - 4:15 p.m.: SIDE EVENT on Building Bridges: People, Skills and Business to strengthen cooperation between Africa and Central Hesse (Grand Hall: 200 seats)
Jens Ihle, CEO, Regionalmanagement Mittelhessen GmbH (confirmed)
Christian Piterek, Regionalmanager, Regionalmanagement Mittelhessen GmbH (confirmed)
Case studies from companies provide insights into real-world business practices:
Lara-Kristin Maas, Dittelbach und Kerzler GmbH & Co. KG (confirmed)
Calvin Murungi, EAST AFRICAN PIONEERS (confirmed)
Carsten Linnenberg, AD Solutions, Giessen (confirmed)
• 3:15 - 4:15 p.m.: SIDE EVENT on Building Bridges: People, Skills and Business to strengthen cooperation between Africa and Central Hesse (Grand Hall: 200 seats)
Jens Ihle, CEO, Regionalmanagement Mittelhessen GmbH (confirmed)
Christian Piterek, Regionalmanager, Regionalmanagement Mittelhessen GmbH (confirmed)
Case studies from companies provide insights into real-world business practices:
Lara-Kristin Maas, Dittelbach und Kerzler GmbH & Co. KG (confirmed)
Calvin Murungi, EAST AFRICAN PIONEERS (confirmed)
Carsten Linnenberg, AD Solutions, Giessen (confirmed)
• 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.: SIDE EVENT on Côte d'Ivoire: Promotion of Economic Relations between Germany and Côte d'Ivoire (Versailles: 70 seats)
Sandrine TEGNAN, Directrice de la Facilitation des Investissements (DFI) at Centre de Promotion des Investissements en Côte d'Ivoire (CEPICI) (confirmed)
Faman Touré, President CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE ET D'INDUSTRIE DE CÔTE D’IVOIRE (confirmed)
Kouadio Desire Konan, Deputy Secretary General CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE ET D'INDUSTRIE DE CÔTE D'IVOIRE (confirmed)
Mohamed Konaté, Director for vocational training CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE ET D'INDUSTRIE DE CÔTE D'IVOIRE (confirmed)
• 4:20 - 5:25 p.m.: B2B – Individual Networking (Small Hall)
• 5:25 - 5:30 p.m.: Summary and Outlook (Grand Hall: 200 seats)
Dr Matthias Leder, CEO, CCI-Giessen-Friedberg
• 5:30 – 5:40 Award Ceremony (Grand Hall: 200 seats)
Dr Matthias Leder, CEO, CCI-Giessen-Friedberg
• 5:45 p.m.: Opening of the Barbecue (Courtyard/Garden)
Rainer Schwarz, President, CCI-Giessen-Friedberg (confirmed)
B2B – Individual Networking
• Approx. 8:00 p.m.: End of Day 1
Sandrine TEGNAN, Directrice de la Facilitation des Investissements (DFI) at Centre de Promotion des Investissements en Côte d'Ivoire (CEPICI) (confirmed)
Faman Touré, President CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE ET D'INDUSTRIE DE CÔTE D’IVOIRE (confirmed)
Kouadio Desire Konan, Deputy Secretary General CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE ET D'INDUSTRIE DE CÔTE D'IVOIRE (confirmed)
Mohamed Konaté, Director for vocational training CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE ET D'INDUSTRIE DE CÔTE D'IVOIRE (confirmed)
• 4:20 - 5:25 p.m.: B2B – Individual Networking (Small Hall)
• 5:25 - 5:30 p.m.: Summary and Outlook (Grand Hall: 200 seats)
Dr Matthias Leder, CEO, CCI-Giessen-Friedberg
• 5:30 – 5:40 Award Ceremony (Grand Hall: 200 seats)
Dr Matthias Leder, CEO, CCI-Giessen-Friedberg
• 5:45 p.m.: Opening of the Barbecue (Courtyard/Garden)
Rainer Schwarz, President, CCI-Giessen-Friedberg (confirmed)
B2B – Individual Networking
• Approx. 8:00 p.m.: End of Day 1
June 10, 2026: The World meets in Giessen
Congress Hall (Kongresshalle) Giessen, Südanlage 3, 35390 Giessen
Morning Program
• 09:00 - 10:00 a.m.: Registration and Welcome Coffee (Small Hall)
• 10:00 - 10:15 a.m.: Welcome and Introduction (Grand Hall: 200 seats)
Dr Matthias Leder, CEO, CCI-Giessen-Friedberg
• 10:15 - 10:40 a.m.: Keynote: Mercosur – the world`s largest free trade agreement (Grand Hall: 200 seats)
Dr Mark Heinzel, Head of the North and Latin America Division, German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) (confirmed)
• 10:45 - 11:45 a.m.: Panel Discussion: Global Issues – Regional Relevance: International Trade on a Level Playing Field (Grand Hall: 200 seats)
Dr Mark Heinzel, Head of the North and Latin America Division, German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) (confirmed)
Dr. Segun H. Olugbile, NACCIMA Digital Economy Coordinator & Chairman, Digital Economy Trade Group (confirmed)
Leonard Alexander Konrad, Geschäftsstelle Wirtschaftsnetzwerk Afrika, Germany Trade & Invest (confirmed)
H.E. Ambassador Elias Jaime Zimba, Republic of Mozambique (confirmed)
Consul General Amb. Yakubu Audu Dadu, PhD, Nigerian Consulate Frankfurt (confirmed)
Moderator: Dr Matthias Leder, CEO, CCI Giessen-Friedberg
Lunch Break
12:00 - 1:00 pm: (Small Hall)
12:00 - 1:00 pm: (Small Hall)
Afternoon Program
• 1:05 - 4:05 p.m.: Matching: Individual Matching at bar tables 1-20 (Foyer)
• 1:05 - 4:05 p.m.: Pitching: Industry-Related Company Presentations
(Grand Hall: 200 seats)
• Coffee Break
2:20 - 2:50 p.m.: Coffee Break (Small Hall)
• 4:15 - 4:25 p.m.: Summary and Outlook (Grand Hall: 200 seats)
Dr Matthias Leder, CEO, CCI-Giessen-Friedberg
• 4:25 p.m.: B2B - Individual Networking and Dinner (Snack Bar/Finger Food)
• Approx. 6:00 p.m.: End of the Event
• 1:05 - 4:05 p.m.: Pitching: Industry-Related Company Presentations
(Grand Hall: 200 seats)
• Coffee Break
2:20 - 2:50 p.m.: Coffee Break (Small Hall)
• 4:15 - 4:25 p.m.: Summary and Outlook (Grand Hall: 200 seats)
Dr Matthias Leder, CEO, CCI-Giessen-Friedberg
• 4:25 p.m.: B2B - Individual Networking and Dinner (Snack Bar/Finger Food)
• Approx. 6:00 p.m.: End of the Event
Film
Wir haben die Highlights von "The World meets in Giessen" am 09. und 10. Juni 2026 in Gießen im Video für Sie festgehalten.
Fotos
Sie möchten die Bilder gerne in Ihren sozialen Medien oder auf Ihrer Webseite verwenden? Gerne! Bitte geben Sie jedoch zwingend einen Bildnachweis an. Für die Bilder von Tag 1 lautet er: “Andreas Bender, www.andreas-bender.de”. Für die Bilder von Tag 2 lautet er: “Erik Przybilla, www.przybilla-studios.com”
Fotos von Tag 1
Claudia Voß, Geschäftsführerin des Afrika-Vereins der deutschen Wirtschaft, macht darauf aufmerksam: „Wir haben es in Afrika nicht mit einem, sondern mit 54 Märkten zu tun.“ Links von ihr: Ruandas Botschafter Igor César.
Moderatorin des Panels „Erfolgreiche Strategien für direkte Auslandsinvestitionen“: Bienvenue Angui.
Erneut unter den Teilnehmern: Alhaji Lai Mohammed, ehemaliger Informations- und Kulturminister Nigerias.
Matthias Leder (l.) dankt den Teilnehmern des vom Regionalmanagement Mittelhessen organisierten Side-Events „Brücken bauen“ (v.l.): Jens Ihle, Christian Piterek, Calvin Murungi, Lara-Kristin Maas und Carsten Linnenberg.
Präsidenten unter sich: Faman Touré, Präsident der Handels- und Industriekammer der Elfenbeinküste, im Austausch mit Rainer Schwarz, Präsident der IHK Gießen-Friedberg.
Fotos von Tag 2
Zur vierten Auflage von „The World meets in Giessen“ am 9. und 10. Juni in der Kongresshalle Gießen begrüßt IHK-Hauptgeschäftsführer Matthias Leder 180 Teilnehmer.
Unsere Partner 2026
Wir danken unseren Partnern für die wertvolle Unterstützung und die konstruktive Zusammenarbeit, mit der sie maßgeblich zum Erfolg der 4. B2B-Netzwerkkonferenz beigetragen haben.
Stand: 10.10.2026