Upcoming AI Events in Africa 2026 — What to Look Out For
Pamoja AI – January 2026 Insight Report
Africa’s AI ecosystem is gearing up for a big year. From research-focused conferences to commercial expos and policy-shaping summits, 2026 offers an exciting lineup of events across the continent. Whether you’re a startup founder, policymaker, investor, student, or tech enthusiast, these events present unmatched opportunities to learn, collaborate, and build the future of AI in Africa.
Below is a full breakdown of the major AI events in Africa for 2026, along with what to expect, who should attend, and official event links for your planning.
🔥 January – February 2026 Events
1. AMLD Africa 2026 (Applied Machine Learning Days)
📍 January 26–29, 2026 — Johannesburg, South Africa
🔗 Official: https://mlafrica.org/event/amld-africa-2026
AMLD Africa is one of the continent’s most respected machine learning gatherings, bringing together researchers, practitioners, startups, and enterprises.
What to look out for:
Machine learning use-case showcases
Hands-on workshops
Startup and investor networking
AI in healthcare, finance, and agriculture
2. AICA 2026 — Africa AI Conference
📍 January 23–24, 2026 — Accra, Ghana
🔗 Official: https://aica.africa
A premier platform for AI innovation, policy, and regional collaboration. Expect high-energy discussions and cross-border partnerships.
What to look out for:
Generative AI workshops
Ethical & responsible AI panels
Startup pitching and partnerships
Government & investor engagement
🌍 March – May 2026 Events
3. AAIAC 2026 — Advancements of AI in African Context
📍 July 22–23, 2026 — Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
🔗 Official: https://easychair.org/cfp/AAIAC2026
A strong academic and industry event focused on contextualizing AI solutions for African environments.
What to look out for:
Research paper presentations
Explainable AI (XAI) tracks
NLP for African languages
Opportunities for publishing and collaboration
4. ITWeb AI Summit 2026
📍 April 22, 2026 — Johannesburg, South Africa
🔗 Source: https://iafrica.com/itweb-ai-summit-2026-to-focus-on-building-south-africas-ai-ecosystem
A strategic summit geared toward enterprise AI adoption and ecosystem building.
What to look out for:
High-level enterprise use cases
AI governance and strategy insights
Networking with C-suite and IT leaders
5. AI EVERYTHING KENYA x GITEX Kenya 2026
📍 May 19–21, 2026 — Nairobi, Kenya
🔗 Official: https://startupmapafrica.com/events/ai-everything-kenya-x-gitex-kenya-2026
One of the biggest tech events in East Africa, bringing global investors, policymakers, innovators, and big tech companies to Nairobi.
What to look out for:
Africa’s largest AI startup exhibitions
Multi-sector innovation demos (agritech, fintech, healthtech)
Investment opportunities
Government & big-tech participation
6. Africa Artificial Intelligence Summit (AAIS)
📍 May 2026 — Kampala, Uganda
🔗 Official: https://aiafricasummit.com
A top continental gathering shaping Africa’s AI future through collaboration, governance, and innovation.
What to look out for:
Regional policy conversations
Collaboration across African innovation hubs
Startup showcases & strategic partnerships
🎓 October – November 2026 Events
7. FEWA AI Conference & Exhibition
📍 October 21–24, 2026 — Nairobi, Kenya
🔗 Official: https://fewa.africa/fewa-ai-conference
An education-focused AI conference centering on digital literacy, future jobs, curriculum integration, and AI adoption in schools.
What to look out for:
AI in education and workforce inclusion
EdTech innovation
Government-education partnerships
8. AI Expo Africa 2026
📍 October 28–29, 2026 — Johannesburg, South Africa
🔗 Official: https://aiexpoafrica.com
Africa’s biggest enterprise AI & automation expo — ideal for tech founders, policymakers, and corporate decision-makers.
What to look out for:
AI business solution demos
Startup investor zones
Women in AI pavilion
Deep technical and strategic sessions
🧠 Other Tech & AI-Adjacent Events (2026)
These smaller but valuable events also boost community learning:
AI, robotics, data, and bioinformatics conferences across South Africa
🔗 https://internationalconferencealerts.com/south-africa/artificial-intelligencePython developer communities like PyCon Namibia
🔗 Discussion: https://www.reddit.com/r/Namibia/comments/1p7i0tz/
Perfect for those seeking hands-on training and networking.
🚀 How to Maximize These AI Events in 2026
Before the Event:
✔ Submit talks/papers early (especially AAIAC and AMLD Africa)
✔ Connect with speakers via LinkedIn
✔ Prepare your pitch deck or startup demo
During the Event:
✔ Attend workshops—the most practical sessions
✔ Visit startup booths for collaboration
✔ Join networking mixers and roundtables
After the Event:
✔ Send personalized follow-ups to every contact
✔ Write your insights on LinkedIn or Pamoja AI blog
✔ Explore partnership opportunities
🌍 Conclusion: Africa’s AI Momentum Is Accelerating
2026 is shaping up as a pivotal year for AI in Africa. From Kenya to Ghana to South Africa, the continent is not just adopting AI — it’s shaping the conversation globally. These events offer rare access to knowledge, partnerships, and opportunities that can transform ideas into real-world impact
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