The African Policy and Research Consortium (APRC), in collaboration with the Nigeria Diaspora Coalition for Change (NDCfC), Azaiki Public Library, and the International Society for Comparative Education, Science and Technology (ISCEST) are set to host an international webinar focused on one of the most consequential transformations of our time: Africa and the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Revolution.
The webinar, scheduled for Saturday, August 8, 2026, will bring together distinguished scholars, policy experts, technology practitioners, development advocates, and thought leaders from Africa and the global community to examine the opportunities, challenges, and far-reaching implications of artificial intelligence for the continent’s future, a statement by the organisers noted.
Under the theme, “Africa and the AI Revolution,” the program will explore how African nations can move beyond being passive consumers of emerging technologies to becoming active participants, innovators, policymakers, and global contributors in the rapidly evolving AI ecosystem.
According to the organizers, the conversation is particularly timely as artificial intelligence is reshaping economies, education, healthcare, governance, agriculture, finance, industry, research, and virtually every dimension of modern society; adding that this technological transformation presents both an extraordinary opportunity and a profound challenge for Africa.
“The continent possesses a youthful and increasingly connected population, a growing community of innovators, and immense intellectual and entrepreneurial potential”, they said. “Yet, significant challenges remain, including digital infrastructure gaps, limited access to advanced computing resources, skills shortages, data governance concerns, ethical considerations, and the risk of widening existing inequalities”.
The webinar, they noted, will therefore seek to advance a thoughtful and forward-looking conversation about how Africa can strategically position itself within the global AI revolution.
“Particular attention will be given to the role of education, research, innovation, public policy, digital inclusion, ethical governance, and institutional capacity-building in ensuring that AI becomes an instrument for inclusive development rather than another driver of inequality”, they disclosed.
The organizers believe that Africa must be at the table where the future of AI is being determined. The continent’s policymakers, scholars, entrepreneurs, young innovators, and civil society leaders must have a meaningful voice in determining how these technologies are developed, governed, and deployed in ways that reflect Africa’s realities, aspirations, and developmental priorities.
The program will feature distinguished speakers, including Professor Charles Orbih and Mr. Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola, whose expertise and perspectives will contribute to a rich and multidimensional exploration of the subject.
This important international dialogue is part of a broader commitment by the organizing institutions to promote knowledge exchange, strengthen international collaboration, advance evidence-informed policy, and encourage innovative approaches to Africa’s development challenges.
“We invite academics, policymakers, researchers, technology professionals, students, entrepreneurs, development practitioners, members of the African diaspora, and all those interested in Africa’s technological future to participate in this timely and consequential conversation. The future is being shaped by technology. Africa must not merely witness the transformation; Africa must help shape it”, they emphasized.
Webinar Details.
- Theme: Africa and the AI Revolution
- Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026
- Time: 9:30 AM Saskatchewan | 3:30 PM Ghana | 4:30 PM UK/Nigeria/DRC | 5:30 PM Libya/South Africa
- Venue: Zoom
- Registration: Register for the Webinar: https://forms.gle/r352DstFxBwuuYjg9
- Join the Zoom Meeting: Join Zoom Meeting
- https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87570998911?pwd=IgP8tx8HLriMTb9SM2o62FfYG
