The Third Edition of the Presidential African Youth in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Competition 2026 has officially opened for submissions, offering young innovators across Africa a major platform to showcase transformative solutions in artificial intelligence, robotics, and emerging technologies.
Organised by Ele-vate AI Africa in partnership with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), the competition is a continental initiative designed to accelerate Africa’s leadership in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). The 2026 edition will be hosted by the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt through the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), a country recognized for its leadership in digital transformation and AI readiness.
More than just a competition, the program functions as continental innovation infrastructure — connecting youth innovators to policymakers, investors, research institutions, and industry leaders while supporting Africa’s Agenda 2063 goals for industrialization, trade integration, and inclusive economic growth.
Why This Competition Matters for Africa
Africa is rapidly positioning itself as a global technology hub. However, unlocking this potential requires empowering young innovators with platforms that allow their ideas to move from prototypes to real-world implementation.
The Presidential African Youth in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Competition serves that role by:
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Supporting innovation commercialization pathways
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Creating employment opportunities through technology
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Strengthening Africa’s digital sovereignty
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Influencing regulatory and policy frameworks
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Encouraging intra-African technological collaboration
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Connecting innovators to investors and governments
The scale of participation highlights its impact. The 2024 edition recorded 1,008 submissions, and the 2025 edition received 3,257 projects from across the continent. The 2026 edition is expected to surpass these numbers.
Who Can Participate
The competition is open to youth from all 55 African Union Member States. Participants may apply individually or as teams.
Participants must be between the ages of 15 and 35 years. Applicants under 18 require parental or guardian consent.
Competition Categories
The competition features twelve sectors representing key pillars of Africa’s economic transformation.
1. AI and Innovation in Mining
Solutions that improve efficiency, safety, sustainability, and productivity in Africa’s mining sector using AI and robotics.
2. Futuristic FinTech Solutions
Financial technologies that promote inclusive finance, ethical banking, environmental sustainability, and economic access.
3. Best Robotics Design
Creative robotics designs that solve practical challenges and increase productivity within African contexts.
4. Healthcare Solutions Using AI and Robotics
Technologies that improve diagnostics, treatment, health systems efficiency, and accessibility.
5. Education Enhancement
AI-driven education tools improving learning experiences for teachers and students.
6. Ethical AI
Solutions addressing bias, fairness, safety, accountability, and governance in artificial intelligence systems.
7. Agricultural Technology
AI and robotics innovations enhancing food security, farm productivity, and sustainability.
8. Community Impact and Governance Innovation
Technologies improving transparency, civic engagement, and local governance.
9. Construction and Architecture Innovation
Automation and smart technologies revolutionizing infrastructure and housing development.
10. Climate Action Technology
Solutions tackling climate change, sustainability, environmental monitoring, and resilience.
11. Quantum Computing and Open Category
Emerging technologies and experimental research that do not fit standard categories.
12. Presidential Award
The highest honor recognizing transformational solutions with continent-wide impact.
Judging Criteria
Projects will be evaluated based on:
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Innovation and originality
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Technical functionality
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Social and economic impact
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Feasibility and scalability
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Ethical considerations
Judges’ decisions are final.
Prizes and Recognition
All finalists receive public recognition across official platforms.
Presidential Award finalists receive global exposure at the United Nations International Telecommunication Union AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva in July 2026.
Final award ceremonies will take place both virtually and physically in September 2026.
Participants retain ownership of their intellectual property. Organisers may use project descriptions for promotional purposes only.
Terms and Conditions
Understanding the terms and conditions is essential before submitting an application. These rules govern eligibility, fairness, intellectual property, and participation responsibilities.
1. Eligibility Rules
Participants must be African youth aged between 15 and 35 years.
Applicants younger than 18 must provide written parental or guardian consent.
Both individuals and teams are allowed to participate. This means startups, student groups, and collaborative innovators can apply together.
The competition is restricted to African Union member states, ensuring continental participation.
2. Registration Requirements
Applications officially opened on 10 February 2026 at 10:00 GMT.
Applicants must provide accurate information during registration. Any false information automatically leads to disqualification.
Only submissions that match the competition categories and requirements will be reviewed. Projects outside the theme will not be contacted.
3. Project Submission Deadline
All AI or robotics projects must be submitted by 30 May 2026 at 08:45 GMT.
Projects must align with the category selected and follow the competition guidelines. Incomplete or irrelevant submissions will be rejected.
4. Intellectual Property Protection
Participants keep full ownership of their projects.
However, organizers may use project summaries, titles, and descriptions for publicity, awareness campaigns, and event promotion. This allows exposure without losing rights.
5. Code of Conduct
Participants must maintain respectful and ethical behavior throughout the competition. Cheating, plagiarism, or copying existing work leads to immediate disqualification. Group projects must clearly list all members and be submitted by a team leader. The competition emphasizes originality and integrity. Finalists must attend the award ceremony physically or virtually to receive prizes.
6. Judging Criteria
Projects are evaluated based on three main pillars:
Innovation — originality and uniqueness
Functionality — whether the solution works effectively
Impact — real-world benefits and scalability
Judges’ decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
7. Prizes and Notifications
Prizes are awarded strictly on merit.
Finalists will be notified by email and announced publicly on official platforms such as X and LinkedIn.
8. Final Event Participation Requirements
Finalists must attend either the virtual or physical awards ceremony.
Failure to respond or attend may result in forfeiting prizes.
Presidential Award finalists will receive international recognition at the UN AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva (July 7–10, 2026).
Both live and virtual award ceremonies will take place in September 2026.
9. Data Privacy Policy
All personal information collected during registration will be securely handled.
Data will only be used for communication related to the competition.
10. Organisers’ Rights
Organizers may modify rules if necessary.
Applicants must be able to prove originality of their project. Failure to do so results in disqualification.
In unforeseen circumstances, the competition may be postponed or cancelled.
11. Contact Information
All inquiries should be directed to:
12. Group Submission Rules
Group entries must be submitted by a designated team leader.
The project document must clearly list all team members.
After submission acknowledgement, participants must reply with their prototype or project paper.
How the Competition Shapes Africa’s Future
By connecting innovators to industry, policy frameworks, and investment pipelines, the competition moves beyond recognition and becomes an engine for:
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Startup creation
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Job generation
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Technology commercialization
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Policy innovation
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Continental integration through technology
It serves as a bridge between research and implementation, ensuring African innovation solves African challenges.
Important Dates
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Applications Open: 10 February 2026 (10:00 GMT)
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Submission Deadline: 30 May 2026 (08:45 GMT)
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UN ITU AI for Good Global Summit Recognition: 7–10 July 2026 (Geneva)
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Awards Ceremony: September 2026
How to Apply
Submit your AI or robotics project through the official competition platform:
Learn more about the Competition HERE.
Click here to discover more global opportunities on OFY.
