About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
The competition is a flagship continental initiative designed to strengthen Africa’s leadership in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Co-convened by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and Ele-vate AI Africa, the programme brings together policymakers, innovators, investors, researchers, and industry leaders to support youth-driven technological advancement and inclusive economic development.
For the 2026 edition, the competition will be hosted by the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt through the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), reinforcing Egypt’s growing reputation as one of Africa’s leading digital transformation and innovation hubs.
Building on a Strong Legacy of Innovation
The Presidential African Youth in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Competition has rapidly emerged as one of the continent’s most influential platforms for young innovators.
The initiative builds on the success of previous editions, including the 2025 Final Showcase held in South Africa in partnership with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and presented alongside the G20 AI in Africa Conference.
Participation has expanded significantly over the years:
1,008 AI and robotics submissions were received in 2024.
3,257 submissions were received from innovators across Africa in 2025.
The competition is open to participants from all 55 African Union Member States.
The continued growth reflects increasing interest among African youth in developing technology-driven solutions to address socioeconomic challenges and accelerate sustainable development.
Advancing Africa’s Digital Future
The competition serves as more than a talent showcase. It acts as a continental platform that promotes:
Innovation and entrepreneurship
Skills development in AI and robotics
Digital industrialization
Job creation and economic growth
Intra-African trade and collaboration
Research and technology commercialization
The initiative aligns with Agenda 2063 and is recognized as an official initiative under the African Union Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA 2034).
By connecting young innovators with investors, policymakers, and industry leaders, the competition helps transform promising ideas into scalable solutions with real-world impact.
Eligibility and Submission Requirements
The competition is open to African youth aged 15 to 35 years.
Key eligibility requirements include:
Individuals and teams may participate.
Applicants under 18 years must provide written parental or guardian consent.
Projects must align with competition themes and category guidelines.
Participants must provide accurate registration information.
The submission deadline for AI and robotics projects has been extended to 30 June 2026 at 21:45 GMT.
Participants retain ownership of their intellectual property, while organizers reserve the right to use project information for promotional purposes.
Competition Categories for 2026
The third edition features twelve dynamic categories designed to encourage innovation across critical sectors of Africa’s economy.
Categories include:
AI and Innovation in Mining
Futuristic FinTech Solutions
Best Robotics Design
AI and Robotics Best Healthcare Solutions
Education Enhancement
Ethical AI
AI and Robotics Agricultural Solutions
Community Impact and Good Governance Innovation
Innovation in Construction and Architecture
Climate Action Technology
Quantum Computing and Open Category
Presidential Award
The Presidential Award remains the competition’s highest honour, recognizing transformational innovations capable of creating lasting impact across the continent.
Judging Criteria and Awards
Projects will be evaluated based on:
Innovation
Functionality
Scalability
Societal impact
Judges’ decisions will be final and not subject to appeal.
Finalists will be notified via email and publicly announced on the competition’s social media platforms on 17 September 2026.
Award opportunities include:
Global recognition for Presidential Award finalists at the United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU) AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva.
Participation in the Presidential Awards Ceremony scheduled for 12–13 October 2026.
Recognition during the Virtual Awards Ceremony in October 2026.
Strategic Partnerships Driving Continental Impact
The competition benefits from strong partnerships with major African institutions committed to advancing technology-driven development.
Key partners include:
African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) as the Foundational Development Partner.
AU High-Level Panel on Emerging Technologies (APET) as the Strategic Implementation Partner.
Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt as the 2026 Host Government.
These collaborations strengthen policy alignment, innovation ecosystems, skills development initiatives, and youth empowerment programmes across the continent.
Creating Opportunities for Africa’s Next Generation of Innovators
As Africa accelerates its digital transformation agenda, the Presidential African Youth in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Competition continues to provide a vital platform for nurturing innovation, developing future-ready skills, and supporting technology-driven entrepreneurship.
By empowering young innovators to develop solutions for pressing continental challenges, the initiative contributes to technological sovereignty, economic resilience, and sustainable development while positioning Africa as a global leader in emerging technologies.
Applications for the 2026 competition are now open, offering young innovators a unique opportunity to shape the future of Africa through Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.
How to apply