The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) is inviting African innovators developing practical, AI-enabled solutions to apply for the ECA Innovation Café, taking place during the 15th Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF 2026) from November 2–5, 2026, in Accra, Ghana.
Organised through the Africa IGF Secretariat in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Research ICT Africa (RIA), the initiative will connect selected innovators with policymakers, investors, development partners, researchers, private-sector actors and the technical community. Participation is fully sponsored for selected innovators.
What the Innovation Café Offers
The programme is seeking African-led AI solutions already addressing development challenges or demonstrating credible potential for impact. Relevant applications include health, agriculture, education, financial inclusion, climate action, public-service delivery, trade and small-business development.
Selected innovations will feature through two components:
- Innovation-to-Policy Exchange: an opportunity for innovators to present their solutions and engage directly with stakeholders involved in policy, investment and implementation.
- Innovation Exhibition: a showcase of selected AI solutions throughout AfIGF 2026.
The wider focus is on practical deployment: what solutions are achieving, the barriers innovators face and the conditions required for responsible adoption and sustainable scale.
Who Can Apply
Applications are open to African startups and technology companies, universities and research institutions, innovation hubs and laboratories, private-sector organisations, public institutions and innovation teams, social enterprises, and individual innovators or teams.
Applicants should have a functioning prototype, pilot or deployed AI-enabled solution, supported by evidence of development impact or a credible pathway towards meaningful impact. Solutions should contribute to Africa’s development priorities, including the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Event: November 2–5, 2026 | Accra, Ghana
