African youth aged 15 to 35 are invited to submit their artificial intelligence and robotics projects for the Third Edition of the Presidential African Youth in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Competition 2026 — a flagship continental initiative co-convened by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and Ele-vate AI Africa, hosted this year by the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt through the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.
The Presidential African Youth in AI and Robotics Competition connects young innovators with investors, policymakers, and industry leaders — driving real-world applications of artificial intelligence and automation while influencing regulatory frameworks and funding mechanisms across the continent. It is more than a competition. It is continental infrastructure for innovation, aligned with Africa’s Agenda 2063 vision for a technology-driven, inclusive economy.
The competition features 12 categories covering key sectors in Africa’s development, with the highest honour being the Presidential Award — recognised at the United Nations International Telecommunication Union’s AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva.
Who Can Participate:
- African youth aged 15 to 35 years
- Individuals and teams are both eligible
- Open to all 55 African Union member states
- Applicants under 18 must provide written consent from a parent or legal guardian
Important Notes:
- Participants retain full intellectual property ownership of their projects
- Group entries must be submitted by the group leader with all team members listed
- Projects must align with the competition theme and category guidelines
- For enquiries contact: innovationhub@ele-vate.co.za