2026 CONFERENCE – Nicola Org

ANNUAL NICOLA CONFERENCE
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH AFRICA
28-29 October 2026

The Network for Industrially Contaminated Land in Africa (NICOLA) is pleased to announce the NICOLA 2026 Conference, titled “Connecting Knowledge to Action | Managing Risk & Delivering Sustainable Remedial End Points”.

Guided by this year’s theme, the conference will focus on transforming scientific and technical knowledge into real-world action. Discussions will cover a broad range of topics, including risk-based decision-making, sustainable remediation, nature-based solutions, policy development, digital environmental intelligence, artificial intelligence applications, and lessons learned from remediation projects across Africa and beyond.

The NICOLA Annual Conference will be held on 28-29 October 2026 at Skukuza Safari Lodge, located in the heart of the Kruger National Park, South Africa. This unique venue provides an exceptional setting for learning, collaboration, and networking, combining world-class conference facilities with one of Africa’s most iconic natural landscapes.

Delegates can look forward to engaging technical presentations, thought-provoking panel discussions, valuable networking opportunities, and a memorable social programme, including an evening event at the Skukuza Golf Club surrounded by the sights and sounds of the African bushveld.

The NICOLA 2026 Conference promises to be an inspiring platform for connecting knowledge with action, fostering collaboration, and advancing sustainable solutions for the management and remediation of contaminated land across Africa.

PLATINUM SPONSOR

GOLD SPONSOR

BRONZE SPONSORS

CONFERENCE SPONSOR

ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

Thank you to everyone who submitted abstracts for the NICOLA 2026 Conference. The submission period has now closed, and the Scientific Committee is currently reviewing all abstracts received across the conference themes, including:

AI, Automation & Next-Generation Environmental Technologies
Sustainable Remediation & Nature-Based Solutions
Risk, Policy & Decision-Making
Applied Case Studies
African & Emerging Market Perspectives
Student & Early-Career Research

Authors will be notified of the outcome of the review process following evaluation by the Scientific Committee. All accepted platform presenters will be required to register for the conference and pay the applicable registration fees. Please note that no financial assistance is available from the conference organisers to support conference registration, travel, accommodation, or other attendance-related expenses.

The Organising Committee reserves the right to allocate accepted abstracts as either oral or poster presentations, depending on the number, quality, and thematic balance of submissions received. Authors may therefore be requested to present their work in a different format from that originally selected.

To maintain the technical integrity of the programme, abstracts that are primarily commercial or promotional in nature will not be included in the conference programme.

OUR PROGRAMME

Join us for two days of technical presentations, industry insights, knowledge-sharing, and networking opportunities with leading contaminated land practitioners, researchers, regulators, and environmental professionals from across Africa and beyond. The programme has been designed to facilitate meaningful discussions, showcase innovative solutions, and foster collaboration within the contaminated land and remediation community.

28 October 2026

Day 1 Conference Sessions
Technical presentations and keynote addresses
Morning and afternoon tea breaks
Lunch
Sunset game drive in the Kruger National Park
Conference Celebratory Dinner at the Skukuza Golf Club

29 October 2026

Day 2 Conference Sessions
Technical presentations and panel discussions
Morning and afternoon tea breaks
Lunch
NICOLA Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Election of available Steering Committee positions

Please note: Delegates attending both days of the conference will be eligible to claim 2 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits.

Draft programme available soon

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Our pricing information is as follows:

Conference Fees* (30 and 31 October)

Early bird conference registration – members (valid until 21 Sept)	R6,600
Early bird conference registration - non-members (valid until 21 Sept)	R7,750
Standard conference registration – members (from 22 Sept)	R7,500
Standard conference registration - non-members (from 22 Sept)	R8,650
Students / NPOs - Early bird conference registration (valid until 21 Sept)	R2,000
Students / NPOs - Standard conference registration (from 22 Sept)	R2,400

Networking Opportunities

Networking Event and Celebratory Dinner (evening of 28 October) (please add to your cart if you wish to settle with conference ticket)	R1,100
Sunset Game Drive	R1,000

Conference registration fees include access to conference sessions, conference materials (where applicable), scheduled tea breaks and lunches. Accommodation, travel, transfers, personal expenses, optional networking activities and any costs not expressly listed are excluded unless otherwise stated.

Key Dates

Deadline for platform abstracts: 15 August 2024

Confirmation of acceptance for platform presentations: first week in September 2026

Draft Programme Announced: 18 September 2026

Early Bird Registration Ends: 21 September 2026

Conference Registration Close: 8 October 2026

Registration Terms & Conditions

Submission of a registration constitutes acceptance of these Terms and Conditions.
Early Bird registrations must be paid in full by the applicable payment due date to qualify for Early Bird pricing. NICOLA reserves the right to adjust any unpaid registration to the prevailing standard registration rate.
All registrations must be paid in full prior to attendance at the conference. NICOLA reserves the right to refuse entry to delegates whose registration fees have not been settled.
Conference registrations are transferable to another individual from the same organisation or an alternative delegate, subject to written notification being received by NICOLA at admin@nicola-org.com no later than five (5) business days before the conference.
Registration cancellations are non-refundable. No refunds, credits or partial reimbursements will be issued for non-attendance, late arrival, early departure, missed sessions, travel disruptions or unused portions of the conference.
NICOLA reserves the right to amend the conference programme, speakers, venue arrangements, session formats, networking activities, dining arrangements, or schedule without prior notice where reasonably necessary.
Optional activities, including but not limited to the sunset game drive and celebratory dinner, are subject to minimum participation requirements, venue capacity, weather conditions, operational constraints, park regulations, and availability. NICOLA reserves the right to amend, substitute, reschedule or cancel such activities.
Delegates participate in all conference-related activities, including off-site and outdoor activities, at their own risk. Delegates are responsible for ensuring that they have appropriate travel, medical and personal insurance cover.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, NICOLA, its organisers, sponsors, partners, committee members, service providers and venue operators shall not be liable for any loss, injury, damage, delay, theft, accident, expense or inconvenience suffered by any delegate arising from attendance at or participation in the conference or related activities.
NICOLA may photograph, record or otherwise capture conference proceedings and attendees for promotional, reporting and educational purposes. Attendance at the conference constitutes consent to the use of such material unless otherwise agreed in writing prior to the event.
Should the conference be cancelled, postponed, curtailed or materially impacted by events beyond NICOLA’s reasonable control, including but not limited to force majeure events, natural disasters, public health emergencies, government restrictions, civil unrest, labour disruptions, transportation failures, or venue unavailability, NICOLA shall not be responsible for any losses, damages or expenses incurred by delegates, including travel and accommodation costs.
NICOLA reserves the right to refuse or cancel a registration where necessary for administrative, operational, safety or legal reasons.

For registration enquiries, please contact admin@nicola-org.com.

SPONSORSHIP & EXHIBITION INFORMATION

Sponsorship opportunities are now open!

The NICOLA 2026 Conference offers a unique opportunity for organisations to showcase their expertise, services, products, and innovations to a diverse audience of environmental professionals, regulators, consultants, researchers, academics, industry leaders, and decision-makers from across Africa and beyond.

Our exhibition and networking sessions provide an ideal environment to build meaningful relationships, engage with prospective clients, strengthen existing partnerships, and explore new collaboration opportunities. The conference also presents an excellent platform for organisations to connect with students and emerging professionals who represent the next generation of environmental practitioners.

Sponsors and exhibitors play a vital role in the success of the conference. Their support helps facilitate knowledge sharing, professional development, and industry collaboration while providing valuable exposure and recognition within the contaminated land and environmental management community.

We encourage organisations to confirm their participation early to maximise branding and promotional opportunities before and during the conference.

Sponsorship and exhibition packages

A range of sponsorship and exhibition packages are available to suit different levels of engagement and visibility. Detailed sponsorship benefits and opportunities are available in the Sponsorship & Exhibition Prospectus.

PLATINUM SPONSOR

GOLD SPONSOR

BRONZE SPONSORS

CONFERENCE SPONSOR

NICOLA is pleased to introduce the Organising Committee for the 2026 Conference. Representing a range of disciplines and organisations from across the environmental sector, the committee brings together extensive technical expertise, industry knowledge, and a shared commitment to advancing contaminated land management in Africa.

The committee is responsible for developing the technical programme, coordinating conference activities, fostering industry engagement, and ensuring a valuable and memorable experience for all delegates.

We thank each committee member for their time, dedication, and contribution to the success of NICOLA 2026.