Welcome to the Third Edition of the Presidential African Youth in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Competition
The Presidential African Youth in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Competition is a flagship continental initiative advancing Africa’s leadership in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) through Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Emerging Technologies. Co-convened by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and Elevate AI Africa, the initiative unites policy, industry, and innovation to empower Africa’s youth and accelerate inclusive, technology-driven development.
For the Third Edition (2026), we are honoured to be hosted by the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt, through the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT). A continental and global leader in digital transformation, Egypt continues to set the pace in AI readiness and innovation leadership, driving bold national initiatives that strengthen Africa’s innovation ecosystem and advance digital industrialization at scale.
Building on the strong foundation of previous editions, including the 2025 Final Showcase held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in partnership with the Government of South Africa through the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and presented alongside the G20 AI in Africa Conference, the competition continues to evolve as a catalyst for impact.
As Africa accelerates toward a globally competitive, technology-driven economy, this platform fosters cutting-edge research, skills development, and commercial pathways for inclusive AI and Robotics-powered solutions. More than a competition, it serves as continental infrastructure for innovation unlocking intra-African trade, driving industrialization, creating jobs, and advancing digital transformation in alignment with Agenda 2063.
The Presidential African Youth in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Competition is an official AU Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA 2034) initiative.
A Catalyst for Innovation, Skills Development, and Economic Growth
This competition connects young innovators with investors, policymakers, and industry pioneers, driving real-world applications of AI and automation while influencing regulatory frameworks and funding mechanisms to accelerate Africa’s digital and industrial evolution. With AUDA-NEPAD, Elevate AI, and the AU Member States championing this movement, the Presidential African Youth in AI and Robotics Competition stands as a beacon of Africa’s commitment to technological sovereignty, economic resilience, and global innovation leadership — turning potential into prosperity.
Submissions OPEN!
The call for submissions for the Third Edition of the Presidential African Youth in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Competition 2026 is now OPEN!
Recap of the 2025 Edition of the Competition
2025 saw 3,257 Submissions from Across Africa by African youth
We are pleased to share that in 2024, we received 1,008 competitive Artificial Intelligence and Robotics solutions from across all regions of the African continent. Building on this momentum, 2025 saw an extraordinary 3,257 submissions from innovators across Africa. We look forward with great anticipation to the 2026 edition of the competition.
55 Countries
The Presidential African Youth in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Competition is open to all African Union (AU) Member States. The AU is made up of 55 Member States which represent all the countries on the African continent. The Competition features 12 categories covering some of the most crucial sectors in Africa’s development along with a prestigious Presidential Award.
Final Ceremony
In partnership with the Government of the Republic of South Africa, the Second Edition of the Presidential African Youth in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Competition 2025 was hosted in Cape Town, South Africa. The Presidential Award’s Category was presented during the G20 AI for Africa Conference. We are encouraged by the growing scale and quality of participation, and excited about the potential of this competition to empower African youth and contribute inclusively and meaningfully to Africa’s sustainable development.
Terms and Conditions
1. Eligibility
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Participants must be African youth aged between 15 and 35 years. Applicants under the age of 18 are required to provide written consent from a parent or legal guardian.
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Teams or individuals can enter the competition.
2. Registration
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Applications open on the 10th of February 2026 at 10:00 GMT.
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Provide accurate information; any falsification will result in disqualification.
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Only projects that meet the category specified, terms and conditions will be contacted.
3. Project Submission Deadline
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Submit AI or robotics projects by the 30th of June 2026 at 21:45 GMT (Deadline extended).
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Projects must align with the competition theme and guidelines.
4. Intellectual Property
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Participants retain ownership of their projects.
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The organisers may use project details for promotional purposes.
5. Code of Conduct
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Respectful and ethical behaviour is expected.
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Any form of cheating or plagiarism will lead to disqualification.
6. Judging Criteria
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Projects will be evaluated based on innovation, functionality, and impact.
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Judges’ decisions are final and not subject to appeal.
7. Prizes
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Prizes will be awarded based on merit.
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All finalists will be informed via email and announced publicly on our Social Media platforms (currently available on X and LinkedIn) on the 17th of September 2026.
8. Final Event Attendance
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Finalists must attend the virtual or physical award ceremony.
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Unavailability / no response (unreachable) may result in the forfeiture of prizes.
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Presidential Awards finalists will receive global recognition at the United Nations International Telecommunication Union’s AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, 7–10 July 2026.
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Presidential Awards Ceremony (live): 12–13 October 2026.
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Virtual Awards Ceremony: October 2026.
9. Data Privacy
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Personal information collected during registration will be handled securely.
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Participants’ data will only be used for competition-related communication.
10. Organiser’s Rights
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The organisers reserve the right to modify rules and guidelines if necessary.
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Failure to prove your work’s concept and originality will disqualify you.
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In unforeseen circumstances, the competition may be cancelled or postponed.
11. Contact Information
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For inquiries, contact: [email protected]
12. Group Entries
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Please note that group entries must be submitted by the group leader and the project paper must indicate that it is a group project listing all the team members. Kindly respond to your submission acknowledgement email with your prototype or project paper.
MORE INFORMATION: CLICK HERE
