Geology Conferences in Africa

Geology Conferences in Africa: CAG, Geothermal Events and What to Attend? A guide to the Colloquium of African Geology, Kenya’s geothermal conferences, the World Geothermal Congress 2029 in Nairobi and other events worth attending for geologists.

Conferences are where geoscience careers, partnerships and projects often begin. For geologists in Kenya and across Africa, the calendar has become richer: Nairobi hosted the continent’s flagship geology colloquium in 2025, Kenyan institutions run major geothermal events, and the World Geothermal Congress is coming to Nairobi in 2029. This guide explains the key events, who benefits from each, and how to choose where to spend your time and budget.

Dates and venues change. Always confirm details on the organiser’s official website before registering or booking travel.

The Colloquium of African Geology (CAG)

What it is. CAG is a biennial meeting held under the auspices of the Geological Society of Africa, where earth scientists present research on African geology. It was launched in 1964 at the University of Leeds in England. Of the first 28 colloquia, 18 were held in Europe and 10 in Africa. Over time, it has grown from an academic forum into a gathering that also includes exploration geologists, mineral economists, data specialists and service providers.

Recent editions. The 29th Colloquium (CAG29) took place in Windhoek, Namibia, in September 2023. The 30th (CAG30) took place in Nairobi in September 2025, celebrating the colloquium’s 60th anniversary. The Geological Society of Kenya was the local organiser, and the event drew roughly 600 participants from across the continent according to the International Union of Geological Sciences. Themes included minerals development, energy resources, geothermal development, geoscience education, groundwater, geoheritage, exploration techniques, artificial intelligence and machine learning, ore deposit geology, and engineering geology and geohazards.

Why attend. CAG offers the broadest view of African geology available in one place: technical sessions, short courses, field trips, exhibitions and networking across disciplines and countries. For graduate students, it is a chance to present, receive feedback and meet potential supervisors or employers. For consultants and companies, it is a market for partnerships and a source of regional data and ideas.

What next. Because CAG is biennial, the next edition would be expected around 2027. Check the Geological Society of Africa and the Geological Society of Kenya for the host country, dates and calls for abstracts, and plan submissions several months in advance.

Geothermal Events in Kenya and the Region

Kenya is a global leader in geothermal power, and several events serve this community.

GDC Geothermal Conference. The Geothermal Development Company hosted a conference in May 2026 under a theme focused on innovation and affordable energy, covering exploration, drilling, reservoir management, steam field development, power generation, direct use and sustainability. Such events are valuable for geologists, geochemists, geophysicists, drillers and project developers who want to see how Kenya’s fields are being developed.

Geothermal Association of Kenya (GAK) activities. GAK engages the national geothermal community and is co-developing the hosting arrangements for the 2029 World Geothermal Congress with the International Geothermal Association. Following its events, workshops and webinars is a useful way to stay connected.

Regional geothermal conferences. East Africa has hosted a series of regional geothermal conferences for many years under the African Rift Geothermal Conference banner and related initiatives. Check current listings for the next edition.

A note on naming: if you have heard of a “Kenya Geothermal Congress”, confirm which organiser and edition is meant, because several geothermal events use similar names. Verify with the organisers before planning.

The World Geothermal Congress 2029 in Nairobi

The International Geothermal Association announced in December 2025 that Nairobi will host the World Geothermal Congress in 2029, the first time the event will be held in Africa. Kenya ranks among the world’s leading geothermal producers and is first on the continent. The 2026 Congress was held in Calgary, Canada, where Kenya received the hosting handover, and Kenyan officials have spoken of preparing for roughly 4,000 to 5,000 delegates.

For Kenyan geoscientists, this is a significant opportunity: a world-class technical programme on home soil, short courses, field excursions to Olkaria and other fields, and exposure to investors and equipment suppliers. Early-career professionals should watch for volunteer programmes, student sessions and calls for papers, and start preparing abstracts in good time.

Other Events Worth Considering

Geological Society of Kenya events. GSK organises conferences, webinars and thematic events. These are accessible and relevant to local issues such as groundwater, geohazards and mining regulation, and they are good first events for students and graduates.

Mining and investment forums. National and regional mining indabas and investment forums bring together governments, exploration companies and financiers. They are useful if your work touches licensing, project finance or mineral policy.

International meetings. The Geological Society of America’s annual meeting, GSA Connects, is taking place 11 to 14 October 2026 in Denver, Colorado, and similar meetings by European, Australian and global societies offer deep technical content and funding opportunities, though travel costs are higher. Virtual or hybrid options are increasingly common.

Specialist meetings. Hydrogeology, engineering geology, geophysics, remote sensing and environmental geoscience each have their own regional and international meetings, and many welcome African participation and offer travel grants.

How to Choose Which Conferences to Attend

1. Define your goal. Are you looking for a job, a client, research collaborators, technical training or policy influence? Different events fit different goals.
2. Check the programme. Look for sessions in your specialty and for workshops or short courses you can use immediately.
3. Consider cost and value. Add registration, travel, accommodation and time away from work. Look for early-bird rates, student discounts, scholarships and travel grants from societies and sponsors.
4. Weigh networking opportunities. Events with field trips, poster sessions, receptions and mentoring schemes create more conversations than lecture-only meetings.
5. Think about visibility. Presenting, even a poster, builds your profile far more than attending quietly.
6. Balance local and international. A mix of national events, which build local networks, and occasional international ones, which broaden perspective, works well.

Getting the Most Out of a Conference

Before. Submit an abstract if you can. Review the programme and mark sessions. Prepare a one-minute introduction about your work and interests. Update your CV and online profile.

During. Attend sessions outside your specialty to learn. Visit posters and exhibition stands. Introduce yourself to speakers after their talks, with one specific question or comment. Join field trips, where conversations come easily. Take notes on contacts and ideas.

After. Follow up within a week with a short, personal message. Share what you learned with colleagues or your GSK chapter. Apply any new techniques while the content is fresh, and start preparing for the next event.

Tips for Students and Early-Career Geologists

• Volunteer at conferences. It often waives fees and gives access to organisers and speakers.
• Apply for travel grants from societies and research programmes.
• Present a poster before aiming for an oral talk.
• Ask your mentor or supervisor to introduce you to their contacts.
• Use conferences to explore specialisations before committing to a postgraduate course.

Key Takeaways

Africa’s geoscience calendar is stronger than ever. CAG is the central event for African geology, geothermal conferences keep Kenya at the forefront of the energy transition, and the 2029 World Geothermal Congress in Nairobi will put the country in the global spotlight. Choose events by goal, budget and relevance, prepare before you go, and follow up afterwards. Conferences repay the effort when you treat them as part of a long-term professional plan.

Sources and Further Reading

• IUGS at the 30th Colloquium of African Geology in Nairobi
• Call for abstracts, CAG30
• CAG30 listing, KICC
• 29th Colloquium of African Geology, Namibia (first circular)
• History of the Colloquium of African Geology, Geological Survey of Namibia
• GDC Geothermal Conference 2026
• Nairobi selected to host the 2029 World Geothermal Congress, ThinkGeoEnergy
• Kenya wins World Geothermal Congress 2029 bid, Geothermal Association of Kenya
• GSA Connects 2026, Geological Society of America