The University of Dodoma (UDOM), the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), and the IEEE Tanzania Chapter have organized the Second  International Conference on the Advancements of Artificial Intelligence in an African Context (AAIAC 2026). This conference is the second in a series that will bring together international researchers, academia, and industrial practitioners to discuss and foster developments in the domain with a lens on the African Continent. The AAIAC 2026 will take place at the Mlimani City Conference Centre in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on 22nd and 23rd July 2026. The conference will provide an excellent international forum for the dissemination of original research results, new ideas, and practical development experiences, focusing on both the theory and practice of academics, researchers, engineers, and industry professionals. We cordially invite you to be a part of this extraordinary event! Get ready to immerse yourself in cutting-edge research, networking opportunities, and the breathtaking beauty of Dar es Salaam, a coastal city on the Indian Ocean.

The overall objective of the 2nd International Conference on the Advancements of Artificial Intelligence in the African Context (AAIAC 2026), under the theme "Artificial Intelligence for Inclusive and Sustainable Digital Economy in Africa," is to explore how AI can be leveraged as a tool for equitable economic transformation across the continent. The conference aims to foster inclusive growth by connecting researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to share innovations, case studies, and best practices that address Africa’s development priorities. It also aims to enhance the capacity of African institutions to conduct interdisciplinary, responsible, and gender-inclusive AI research and education, while promoting AI solutions that benefit the public good across various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, education, climate resilience, and digital finance.

All submissions will be subject to peer reviews, and accepted papers will be submitted for inclusion into IEEE Xplore, subject to meeting IEEE Xplore’s scope and quality requirements.

Submission Guidelines

All papers must be original and not simultaneously submitted to another journal or conference. The following paper categories are welcome:

• Abstract: 250–300 words
• Full paper: 4,000–6,000 words
• All submissions will undergo international peer review.
• Accepted papers will be published in the conference proceedings.

Committees

Steering Committee

• Mohamedi M. Mjahidi and Prof. Shubi Kaijage - Conference Chair
• Gloriana Monko - Organising Chair
• Devotha Nyambo - Technical and Program Committee Chair
• Jabhera Matogoro - Publicity, Public Relations and Local Arrangements Committee Chair
• Goodiel Moshi - Key Notes, Industry and Sponsorships Committee Chair
• Hamisi Fereji - Finance & Registration Committee Chair
• Ramadhani Sinde - Publication Committee Chair
• Neema Mduma - Technical Workshop Committee Chair

Organizing committee

• Gloriana Monko - Organizing Chair
• Devotha Nyambo - Technical and Program Committee Chair
• Salim Diwani - Technical and Program Committee Member
• Jabhera Matogoro - Publicity, Public Relations and Local Arrangements Committee Chair
• Shida Kasebele - Publicity, Public Relations and Local Arrangements Committee Member
• Goodiel Moshi - Key Notes, Industry and Sponsorships Committee Chair
• Noe Elisa - Key Notes, Industry and Sponsorships Committee Chair
• Hamisi Fereji - Finance & Registration Committee Chair
• Elice Sikoi - Finance & Registration Committee Chair
• Ramadhani Sinde - Publication Committee Chair
• Deo Shao - Publication Committee Member
• Neema Mduma - Technical Workshop Committee Chair
• Tabu Kondo - Technical Workshop Committee Member

Sub-Thematic Area (Tracks)

• AI for financial inclusion and digital entrepreneurship
• AI in agriculture, education, and public health
• Ethical AI, responsible AI, data governance, and regulatory frameworks
• Gender equity and social inclusion in AI innovation
• Building sustainable AI infrastructure and data ecosystems 
• Skills development and capacity building for AI readiness
• AI for climate resilience and environmental sustainability
• AI for governance and public services

Areas of Interest Include (But are not limited)

• AI applications in low-resource settings
• NLP for African languages
• AI for the public good and social impact
• Machine learning for economic forecasting
• Bias, fairness, and transparency in AI systems
• Human-centered and participatory AI design
• Human Computer Interaction
• Bioinformatics and Artificial Intelligence
• Computer Vision
• Reinforcement Learning
• Embedded AI Systems
• Fuzzy Logic Systems
• Deep Learning
• Robotics and Automation
• Big Data Analytics
• AI in Cyber Security
• Edge Computing
• Time Series Forecasting
• Data Science
• Intelligent Information Retrival
• Explainable AI (XAI)
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Cloud Computing
• Computer-Aided Diagnosis
• Data Mining
• Autonomous Systems
• Digital Signal Processing
• Virtual Assistant and Chatbots
• Blockchain
• Cybersecurity
• Augmented and Virtual Reality
• Pattern Recognition
• Predictive Modeling
• Real-Time Data Processing
• Artificial Intelligence of Things
• Multi-Agent Systems
• Smart Cities and Smart Manufacturing

Conference Dates

• Papers submissions:   15 March 2026
• Notification of acceptance:   30 April 2026
• Camera-Ready Papers Submission: 15th May 2026
• Early Registration: 15th May 2026
• Conference dates:  22 & 23 July 2026

Expected Outcomes

• Peer-reviewed research papers on inclusive AI in Africa
• Strengthened networks of African and international AI scholars
• Actionable policy recommendations for inclusive AI adoption
• Cross-sector collaborations and innovations addressing Africa’s development priorities

Target Participants and Mode of Delivery

Following the success of AAIAC 2023, which brought together over 200 participants from academia, industry, and policymaking circles, the second edition aims to deepen engagements, expand partnerships, and amplify research that promotes AI for public good and inclusive growth in Africa. The target participants are academics, researchers, industry experts, policymakers, entrepreneurs, civil society organizations, and development partners who are engaged in AI, the digital economy, and sustainable development in Africa. The conference is designed to be a hybrid event, accommodating both physical and virtual participation.

Conference Registration and Participation Fees

1. International 
   1. Physical Presenter 250 USD
   2. Physical Non-Presenter 200 USD
   3. Online Presenter 200 USD
   4. Student Presenter 150 USD
   5. Student Non-Presenter 100 USD
2. Local
   1. Physical Presenter 400,000 TZS
   2. Physical Non-Presenter 300,000 TZS
   3. Online Presenter 300,000 TZS
   4. Student Presenter 200,000 TZS
   5. ​​​​​​​Student Non-Presenter 150,000 TZS

Coontact

All questions about submissions should be emailed to ramadhani.sinde@nm-aist.ac.tz