SEED Annual Symposium 2026
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
24 - 28 August 2025
Update (June 2026): The SEED Annual Symposium 2026 was originally planned to take place at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. Due to the ongoing Ebola outbreak and related health and travel considerations, the event was relocated to Kumasi, Ghana, and will now be hosted in collaboration with Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
The SEED Annual Symposium 2026 will bring the international SEED network to Kumasi, Ghana, from August 24 to 28, 2026. Hosted in collaboration with Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), this year’s Symposium will bring together perspectives from entrepreneurship, engineering, policy, and community practice, with sessions on mini-grid scaling, productive use of energy, research impact, and local implementation in Ghana.
Planned sessions include keynotes, panel discussions, paper development workshops, research showcases, and a visit to the Yeboakrom Living Lab. A pre-symposium seminar for SEED doctoral scholars will take place on August 23.
Registration
Registration for the SEED Annual Symposium 2026 is closed. Please note that the event was not open to the general public, and participation was coordinated through the TUM SEED Center and its partner institutions.
Due to budget reductions at the beginning of 2026, significantly increased international travel costs, and the short-notice relocation of the Symposium from Uganda to Ghana due to the Ebola outbreak, the scope of this year’s event had to be adjusted and international participation limited.
Agenda Highlights
We are continuing to improve the agenda. Please check this webpage frequently for the latest version.
The opening day will bring the SEED network together at KNUST and set the stage for the Symposium through institutional exchange, capacity building, and discussions on the future direction of the Center.
Highlights:
- Welcome remarks from KNUST, DAAD, and the Ghanaian Ministry of Energy
- Input on technical and operational barriers in low-voltage mini-grids for last-mile electrification
- Presentation and open discussion on SEED Research & Teaching in a Resource-Constrained Context (2026–2029)
- Welcome drinks and informal networking
The second day will focus on research exchange across SEED’s core thematic areas and strengthen collaboration between scholars, faculty, and partner institutions.
Highlights:
- Keynote on scaling SEED research: Scaling Deep, Scaling Out, and Scaling Up
- Interactive research poster session
- Parallel workshops in Entrepreneurship, Engineering/Technology, and Policy
- Sessions on mini-grid scaling, energy system modeling, and energy and climate policy
- Workshops on renewable energy transitions, biochemical methane potential, and transformative teaching through SEED Living Labs
- Presentation and discussion of the SEED online teaching strategy and modules
Wednesday will connect SEED research with perspectives from business, policy, and practice, with a strong focus on scaling sustainable energy solutions and strengthening the long-term impact of the network.
Highlights:
- Keynote on scaling out and scaling deep by Husk Power Systems
- Parallel workshops with strategic partners and SEED student initiatives
- Keynote on prospective theorizing for complex societal problems
- Panel discussion on Ghana’s energy transition with representatives from academia, technology, policy, and business
- Workshop on SEED Living Labs digitalization and sustainability
- Gala Dinner
The fourth day will take participants outside the university setting and connect the Symposium discussions with the practical implementation of SEED activities in rural communities.
Highlights:
- Full-day visit to the Yeboakrom Living Lab
- Insights into the local implementation of sustainable energy solutions
- Exchange on the role of Living Labs in research, teaching, and community engagement
- Discussion of opportunities and challenges related to the long-term sustainability of SEED Living Labs
The final day will provide space to reflect on the Symposium, review ongoing activities, and discuss priorities and next steps for the SEED network.
Highlights:
- SEED External Advisory Board Meeting
- Executive Board and Project Coordinators Meeting
- Review of the 2026 Symposium
- Discussion of next steps and future priorities
- Farewell lunch and official closing of the SEED Annual Symposium 2026