UNECA Opens 2026 Call for African AI Innovations – Apply Now

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) has opened applications for its Continental Call for African AI Innovations 2026.

It is inviting startups, researchers, technology companies and other African innovators to showcase practical artificial intelligence solutions addressing development challenges across the continent.

The initiative will form part of the ECA Innovation Café at the 15th Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF 2026), scheduled to take place from November 2 to 5, 2026, in Accra, Ghana.

Organised by ECA through the Africa IGF Secretariat, in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Research ICT Africa (RIA), the initiative is designed to connect African innovators with policymakers, investors, development partners, researchers, private-sector organisations and technology stakeholders.

What Is the ECA Innovation Café?

The ECA Innovation Café is being organised under the theme “Bridging Policy, Innovation and Implementation through African AI-Enabled Solutions.”

Rather than focusing solely on the future potential of artificial intelligence, the initiative seeks to highlight AI solutions that African innovators are already developing, testing or deploying to address real-world challenges.

Potential areas include healthcare, agriculture, education, financial inclusion, climate action, public-service delivery, trade and small-business development. Solutions should demonstrate relevance to Africa’s development priorities and contribute, where applicable, to the Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Who Can Apply?

The call is open to a broad range of African innovation actors, including:

• African startups and technology companies
• Universities and research institutions
• Innovation hubs and laboratories
• Private-sector organisations
• Public institutions and public-sector innovation teams
• Social enterprises
• Individual innovators and innovation teams

Applicants are expected to have a functioning prototype, pilot or deployed solution, supported by evidence of development impact or credible potential to generate meaningful impact.

This means the opportunity is aimed at innovators who have moved beyond an idea and can demonstrate how their AI-enabled solution works and the problem it is designed to solve.

What Will Selected Innovators Gain?

Selected innovators will have the opportunity to showcase their solutions through two major components of the ECA Innovation Café.

The Innovation-to-Policy Exchange will allow selected innovators to present their solutions and engage directly with policymakers, development partners, investors, researchers, private-sector representatives and members of the technical community.

The Innovation Exhibition will provide another platform for selected solutions to be demonstrated during AfIGF 2026.

The programme is intended to encourage conversations around responsible AI deployment, wider adoption, partnerships and the conditions required to scale African-developed solutions sustainably.

Key Details

Opportunity: UNECA Continental Call for African AI Innovations 2026
Programme: ECA Innovation Café
Organiser: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
Partners: ITU and Research ICT Africa
Eligible applicants: African startups, companies, universities, research institutions, innovation hubs, public institutions, social enterprises and individual innovators
Requirement: Functioning AI-enabled prototype, pilot or deployed solution
Focus: Practical AI solutions addressing African development challenges
Event: 15th Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF 2026)
Date: November 2–5, 2026
Location: Accra, Ghana
Application deadline: October 2, 2026

How to Apply

Interested African innovators should submit their applications through the official ECA Innovation Café application process.

Applicants should clearly explain the development challenge their solution addresses, how the AI-enabled technology works, its current stage of development and any evidence demonstrating its impact or potential.

For enquiries about the call, applicants can contact sorene@un.org.

Application Deadline: October 2, 2026.

The ECA Continental Call offers African innovators an opportunity to take practical AI solutions beyond the development stage and into conversations with policymakers, investors, researchers and other stakeholders shaping Africa’s digital future.

Applicants are advised to review the official call carefully and submit their applications before the deadline.