ECA Innovation Café at the 15th Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF 2026)
Bridging Policy, Innovation and Implementation through African AI-Enabled Solutions
2–5 November 2026 | Accra, Ghana
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), through the Africa IGF Secretariat and in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Research ICT Africa (RIA), invites applications from African innovators developing practical, AI-enabled solutions that address the continent’s development challenges.
Across Africa, startups, universities, research institutions, technology hubs, public institutions, private-sector organisations, and individual innovators are developing technologies that respond to local realities and development priorities. These innovations are being applied in areas such as health, agriculture, education, financial inclusion, climate action, public-service delivery, trade, and small-business development.
The ECA Innovation Café will showcase African-led AI solutions that are already addressing development challenges and contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. It is designed to bridge innovation, policy, and implementation by creating direct engagement between innovators and policymakers, development partners, investors, researchers, private-sector actors, and the technical community.
The initiative will feature two complementary components. The Innovation-to-Policy Exchange will provide selected innovators with an opportunity to present their solutions and engage directly with key stakeholders. The Innovation Exhibition will showcase selected innovations throughout AfIGF 2026.
Rather than focusing only on what AI could do for Africa, the Innovation Café will highlight what African innovators are already doing, including the solutions they are developing, the results they are achieving, the challenges they face, and the support and enabling conditions needed for responsible deployment, wider adoption, and sustainable scale.
Who Can Apply?
The call is open to:
- 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; and
- Individual innovators and innovation teams.
Applicants should demonstrate a functioning prototype, pilot, or deployed solution, supported by evidence of development impact or credible potential to generate meaningful impact.
For more information, please contact sorene@un.org
