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Karibu 80th RILEM Week 2026 in conjunction with the 3rd ACCTA International Conference on Advances in Climate-Friendly Construction Technology in AfricaThe 80th RILEM Week will be held in conjunction with the 3rd RILEM Conference on Advances in Climate-Friendly Construction Technology in Africa (ACCTA) in Nairobi, Kenya, from 4 to 11 September 2026. The conference will be the first one ever in the very pulse of Africa. This landmark event will feature several key activities for scientists, scholars, students, and industry professionals. Highlights include pre-conference courses in Nairobi and Meru, RILEM TC Meetings, RILEM Standing Committee Meetings, and special sessions focusing on cement and concrete standardisation as well as circular economy practices.
RILEM President – Prof. Nele De Belie“After the RILEM Weeks in Hanoi and Toulouse, it will be a true pleasure for the RILEM delegates and conference attendees to meet now on the African continent, in a true international spirit. This meeting will provide great opportunities for scientific discussions and sharing of reserach results in the field of materials and structure, with the aim of promoting optimal performance and sustainable development. I am looking forward to the exciting program that the team in Nairobi has prepared for us!” 
Conference Chair – Prof. Silvester Abuodha Ochieng"The University of Nairobi, Meru University of Science and Technology, and BAM proudly welcome you to the 80th RILEM Week 2026 in Nairobi the ‘’Green City in the Sun’’. RILEM has long been a beacon of excellence in fostering international cooperation in research and practice. This gathering of the world's brightest minds in materials science, structural engineering and construction innovation is an exceptional opportunity, not only for academic exchange, but also for building lasting partnerships and collaborations, and offering solution-based approach to challenges in the construction industry. The University of Nairobi’s Civil Engineering department under the Faculty of Engineering, established in 1963 as part of the Royal Technical College, was the first engineering faculty in East Africa, offering Civil Engineering. The University has a long history of producing skilled engineers over five decades and has contributed immensely to the construction industry in Africa and beyond by offering a comprehensive curriculum focused on training in design, construction and as well as research in the construction industry. We are therefore privileged to be the first host of this conference in East Africa." 
Conference Co-Chair – Dr. Wolfram Schmidt"I am very glad that, after 79 years, RILEM Week is taking place for the first time in the vibrating pulse of Africa—the cradle of humanity, the magical Kenya. Many dedicated individuals have worked tirelessly, hand in hand, to establish RILEM as an impactful association with global outreach and participation. Hosting such an important event, which brings together worldwide experts in materials and structures, in the beautiful city of Nairobi, demonstrates that all the effort was truly worth it. I am also honored that, following Johannesburg, South Africa, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, we are able to bring the third edition of the RILEM Conference ACCTA to Nairobi. The meaning of the conference abbreviation has been carefully adjusted to reflect its alignment with all RILEM topics and to acknowledge that we now live in a multi-material world—one where climate change and sustainability challenges have increased the complexity and relevance of materials and structures in general. Therefore, I am excited about the opportunity to gather experts from around the world for knowledge exchange in Nairobi in 2026." 
Conference Co-Chair – Dr. Joseph Mwiti"We are pleased to invite you to the RILEM 2026 International Conference, co-hosted by Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST), the University of Nairobi (UON) and the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) in September 2026. This landmark event—the second RILEM conference in Sub-Saharan Africa—will unite researchers, industry leaders, and innovators in construction materials, structures, and sustainability. Hosted in the vibrant city of Nairobi, the conference will feature keynote addresses, technical sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities designed to advance resilient and sustainable construction practices. Join us as we shape the future of the built environment through knowledge exchange, collaboration, and innovation. We look forward to welcoming you to Nairobi for RILEM 2026!" 
ACCTA Co-Chair – Dr. Mike Otieno"The conference organizing committee welcomes you to the conference on Advances in Climate-friendly Construction Technologies in Africa (ACCTA) that focuses on bringing together like-minded researchers from around the world to explore and share innovative, sustainable and resilient technologies for construction in Africa. It presents a great opportunity for emerging and experienced researchers on the African continent and beyond to network, foster and strengthen partnerships and collaborations." 
Dean of Faculty of Engineering, University of Nairobi – Prof. Siphila MumenyaIt is with great pleasure and deep honour that I welcome you all to the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Nairobi for RILEM Week 2026. Hosting this prestigious event here in Nairobi, and at our institution, is both a privilege and a milestone. It reflects the growing role that Africa, and Kenya in particular continues to play in global scientific collaboration, innovation, and sustainable development in construction materials and structural engineering. At the Faculty of Engineering, we are proud to be part of this global conversation. Our mission aligns strongly with RILEM’s vision: to develop and disseminate knowledge that improves the durability, safety, and sustainability of the built environment. It is our hope that this week will inspire groundbreaking ideas, fruitful discussions, and enduring collaborations that will benefit the world. Besides the innovative spirit, I encourage you to also explore the vibrant culture of our hospitable people. From the University of Nairobi, we say ‘Karibuni sana’. 
Vice Chancellor of MUST – Prof. Romanus Odhiambo"It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the 80th RILEM Week, co-hosted by Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) and the University of Nairobi (UoN). This milestone marks the first RILEM conference in East Africa, a testament to the region’s growing role in advancing science, technology, and sustainable development. As a leading institution committed to research and innovation, MUST is honored to partner with RILEM in fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and global stakeholders. We believe this gathering will open new frontiers in knowledge, capacity building, and transformative solutions for resilient infrastructure worldwide. On behalf of MUST, I warmly welcome you to Nairobi and wish you a productive and memorable RILEM 2026." 
Head of Department 7 at BAM – Dir. and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Andreas Rogge"The world’s sustainable and worth living future is the primary motivation of our research work and RILEM is the most prominent platform to collaborate with other scientists on that. Therefore, we are very happy to support our Kenyan colleagues in organizing the 80th RILEM Annual Week in the vibrant and multifaceted city of Nairobi. We are looking forward to discussing various of the most urgent societal topics in civil construction, strengthening our international networking and last but not least meeting old and new friends in an inspiring location. See you there." 
RILEM sub-Saharan Africa Convenor – Prof. Kolawole Olonade"We are delighted to welcome you to this exciting Rilem Week. By attending the event, you will be joining us in making history of a great gathering that will long be remembered for its splendor. Did you know that this is the first time RILEM Week will be held in East Africa? Coincidentally, it is the 80th Rilem Week. It will be held in the core part of sub-Saharan Africa, giving you the experience of true Africa. So, this is a rare opportunity for you to visit and feel Africa if you haven’t been to Africa before. Nairobi is a unique city for its food, local drinks, green environment, and several amazing historical and tourist places that you will love to visit. Aside from this social attraction, it is an opportunity to network with several researchers who will be attending the event. During this, you will also be participating in an international scientific conference that gives you a platform to showcase what you do, learn, share knowledge, and network. From our end, all arrangements are put in place to make your stay in Nairobi a memorable one." 
RILEM Convenor for Middle East/North Africa – Prof. Said Kenai"We are delighted to welcome you to the 80th RILEM Annual Week and RILEM International Conference, set in the vibrant and beautiful city of Nairobi, Kenya. This prestigious event, hosted by the University of Nairobi, will serve as a dynamic platform uniting leading researchers, engineers, industry experts, and emerging scholars from across the globe to explore the latest advances and future directions in the field of materials and structures. The conference aims to promote innovative materials, cutting-edge techniques, and low-carbon solutions for sustainable construction. Key topics will include concrete technology, timber, earth, and asphalt materials, alongside cross-cutting themes such as circular economy, sustainability, and life cycle assessment. Join us on this inspiring journey of knowledge, creativity, and collaboration as we work together to shape a more sustainable built environment. Welcome to Africa. Welcome to Nairobi. Welcome to RILEM." 
Welcome by RILEM General Secretary – Mrs. Judith Hardy"The RILEM Secretariat team is fully committed to supporting the organizers of the 80th RILEM Week 2026 and the 3rd ACCTA International Conference on Advances in Climate-friendly Construction Technology in Africa. Marking eight decades of advancing materials and structures science, this milestone event takes place at a pivotal moment. According to UN-Habitat, “urban populations in Africa are expected to triple in the next 50 years, transforming the profile of the region and challenging policymakers to harness the urbanization phenomenon for sustainable and inclusive growth and development.” Throughout the conference, the RILEM team will support organizers and participants in fostering innovative, climate-friendly construction solutions that respond to the continent’s rapid urban transformation and pave the way for sustainable solutions and resilient urban futures across Africa and beyond." Picture (from left to right): Aurélie Martingale, RILEM Assistant; Dr Luiza Miranda, Managing Editor; Judith Hardy, RILEM General Secretary; Daniela Ciancio, RILEM Implementation Manager; Anne Griffoin, TAC Secretary. Organised By    |
