AI4AFRICA IGNITION CONFERENCE 2026
Structuring, accelerating, and connecting the African AI ecosystem
The pan-African gathering where African AI capabilities, collaborations, and infrastructure are developed.
500+ PARTICIPANTS
September 18–19
KRYSTAL PALACE, DOUALA
Pan-African and international participants
60+ speakers
Hackathon • Tables rondes • Réseautage • Ateliers de perfectionnement
The meeting place for policymakers, technology leaders, researchers, investors, startups, and institutions committed to building a sovereign, responsible, and investable African artificial intelligence ecosystem.
THE AI4AFRICA EXPERIENCE BEGINS IN
One platform. One dynamic. One annual event.
AI4Africa Ignition has gradually evolved into a pan-African platform for organizing and coordinating efforts around strategic issues related to artificial intelligence in Africa.
AI4AFRICA IGNITION CONFERENCE 2026
The annual conference has now become the focal point of this momentum: a forum where policymakers, businesses, researchers, engineers, startups, investors, and institutions come together to discuss the transformations currently underway.
WHY PARTICIPATE IN AI4AFRICA IGNITION
Join AI4Africa Ignition to explore real-world applications of AI and help drive digital transformation!
Lectures and masterclasses
Panels and discussions on key issues such as sovereignty, infrastructure, governance, sector-specific adoption, and innovation.
AI4Africa Hackathon
Pan-African teams working on AI solutions tailored to African realities.
AI Atlas Africa
Presentation of terraim’s research on the current state of AI on the continent.
Networking & Collaboration
Meetings between experts, institutions, companies, partners, and talented individuals.
PROGRAM
SEPT. 15
SEPT. 16
SEPT. 17
SEPT. 18
SEPT. 19
Hackhaton Day 1
Kickoff . 7 countries
Bootcamp Day 1
Part I
Hackhaton Day 2
Build . Mentoring
Bootcamp Day 2
Part II
Hackhaton Day 3
Final pitches
Bootcamp Day 3
Certification
Conference Day 1
Panels . Keynotes . Masterclasses . Networking
Conference Day 2
Statement . Price
AI4AFRICA 2026 Hackathon
Developed in collaboration with JFN CENTER
The AI4Africa Hackathon will bring together developers, entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators to tackle real-world challenges facing Africa.
Over the course of three days, the teams will work on responsible AI solutions that are tailored to local conditions and designed to make a real difference.
The Challenge 2026
- Healthcare: AI-assisted diagnosis, hospital management, and access to care.
- Finance: Financial inclusion, alternative scoring, and fraud detection.
- Education: Personalized learning, accessibility, and smart educational tools.
- Cybersecurity: Infrastructure protection, threat detection, and digital resilience.
- Public Administration: Digital Public Services, Data Management, and GovTech.
AI GOVERNANCE BOOTCAMP FOR DECISION-MAKERS
Exclusive to AI4Africa Ignition 2026
AI4Africa Ignition is launching an AI Governance Bootcamp for executives, institutions, public officials, and decision-makers involved in digital transformation.
Designed as an executive and strategic program, this boot camp will address issues related to governance, digital sovereignty, risk management, compliance, cybersecurity, and the implementation of artificial intelligence in African organizations.
- Governance & AI Strategy
- Digital sovereignty
- Data, Compliance & Cybersecurity
- AI Roadmaps for Organizations
- Public and private use cases
- Ethical AI & Risk Management
KEY PRIORITIES FOR 2026
The presentations, discussions, demonstrations, and initiatives at the 2026 event will focus on strategic issues and concrete use cases related to artificial intelligence in Africa.
AI Sovereignty & Governance
TOPICS COVERED
- Digital sovereignty and AI
- Data governance
- Regulation and ethical frameworks
- Critical infrastructure (cloud, data, compute)
- Technological dependence and resilience
AI & Public Sector
TOPICS COVERED
- Modernization of public services
- AI for health, education, civil status, taxation
- Public data and interoperability
- Smart government and administrative efficiency
AI & Industry Adoption
TOPICS COVERED
- AI in finance, insurance, energy, agriculture, logistics
- Industrial use cases
- ROI, productivity, operational efficiency
- Transition from POC to industrialization
AI & Technology
TOPICS COVERED
- Agentic AI and autonomous systems
- AI architectures
- Data engineering and Cloud
- Local and hybrid infrastructures
AI Skills, Talent & Literacy
TOPICS COVERED
- AI literacy
- AI Governance
- Training and upskilling
- African AI talent
- Inclusion and diversity (SheBuildsAI, Women In AI Governance)
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
TOPICS COVERED
- African AI Startups and Applied Innovation
- Financing, Investment, and Venture Building
- Collaboration between startups, businesses, and institutions
- Innovation ecosystems and technology hubs
CALL FOR SPEAKERS
We invite AI experts, industry leaders, researchers, and innovators to speak at AI4Africa Ignition 2026! If you have insights on AI strategy, governance, commercial applications, or technical advancements, we’d love to hear from you.
Prof. Dr. Houda Chaoui
Professor and Expert in Strategic AI
Dr. Antoine Nkolo Biyidi
Managing Director, JFN CENTER | Expert in digital transformation & innovation
Dr Ahmed Kensi
Deputy Director of Internships and Corporate Relations at INPT Rabat | AI Researcher and Digital Transformation Expert
OUR OPTIMISTIC PARTNERS & SPONSORS
We are proud to collaborate with optimistic partners and sponsors who share a bold vision for innovation in Africa. Their commitment fuels digital transformation and fosters the adoption of artificial intelligence across the continent. Discover below the key players shaping the future of AI.
SPONSORS
PARTNERS
Photo gallery
Previous edition
Explore the atmosphere, the rooms, and the moments that mattered.
