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FORUM AI2SD AFRICAN ACADEMY NETWORK

Building Africa’s Intelligence for Sustainable Development

Discover the Initiative

Overview

The Forum AI2SD African Academy Network is an academic and collaborative platform established within the framework of the AI2SD (International Conference on Advanced Intelligent Systems for Sustainable Development). It aims to connect, empower, and coordinate African universities, research centers, and innovation ecosystems toward advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Sustainable Development across the continent for all domains academic activities.

Hosted during the 10th Edition of AI2SD 2026, organized at Mohammed V University of Rabat (Morocco) from June 1–6, 2026, the Forum represents a strategic initiative to strengthen academic and socio-economic cooperation within Africa and with global partners.

Vision

To build a pan-African academic network dedicated to excellence in AI research, education, and innovation for sustainable development — positioning Africa as a key actor in the global digital transformation.

Mission

The Forum seeks to:

  • Foster collaboration between African universities, research institutes, and industrial partners.
  • Promote academic exchange and knowledge transfer in AI, data science, and intelligent systems.
  • Support capacity building in AI education, training, and research.
  • Encourage interdisciplinary research linking AI with sustainable development goals (SDGs).
  • Bridge the gap between academia, industry, and policymakers to enable evidence-based decision-making.
  • Highlight African excellence in AI through joint projects, publications, and innovation initiatives.

Objectives

1. Academic Cooperation:

Establish a structured network of African academic institutions to promote joint programs, co-supervised PhDs, and collaborative research projects.

4. Policy and Impact:

Serve as a think tank to advise governments and organizations on AI-related policies and ethics.

5. Networking and Events:

Facilitate annual and regional forums, workshops, and round tables to share best practices, success stories, and innovation outcomes.

7. Expected Outcomes

Creation of a sustainable African AI academic network. Development of joint academic programs and collaborative research platforms. Publication of white papers and research roadmaps on AI for sustainable development. Reinforcement of Africa’s participation in international AI research consortia. Strengthening of academic-industry partnerships across African countries.

9. Conclusion

By gathering prominent scholars, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and researchers, the Forum AI2SD African Academy Network aspires to become the leading academic and innovation alliance for AI and sustainable development in Africa. It reflects the spirit of collaboration, excellence, and solidarity, and marks an essential step toward an integrated African research ecosystem capable of responding to local challenges with global impact.

3. Capacity Building:

Develop training programs, summer schools, and mentorship initiatives for young African researchers and students.

2. Research & Innovation:

Create thematic clusters focused on emerging AI domains — such as machine learning, robotics, smart agriculture, health informatics, and climate intelligence — in alignment with the UN SDGs.

6. Structure and Governance

The AI2SD African Academy Network Forum operates under the scientific and organizational framework of the AI2SD Conference. It is led by a Scientific Committee and Advisory Board composed of distinguished professors, researchers, and experts representing different African regions and international partners. The Forum is co-chaired by academic leaders from renowned African institutions, ensuring diversity, inclusiveness, and scientific excellence.

8. Strategic Importance

The AI2SD African Academy Network Forum is not only a scientific event but also a strategic vision to build Africa’s collective intelligence infrastructure. It positions African universities as drivers of innovation and societal transformation, capable of shaping the ethical and sustainable deployment of AI technologies for the continent’s future.

1. Academic Cooperation:

Establish a structured network of African academic institutions to promote joint programs, co-supervised PhDs, and collaborative research projects.

2. Research & Innovation:

Create thematic clusters focused on emerging AI domains — such as machine learning, robotics, smart agriculture, health informatics, and climate intelligence — in alignment with the UN SDGs.

3. Capacity Building:

Develop training programs, summer schools, and mentorship initiatives for young African researchers and students.

4. Policy and Impact:

Serve as a think tank to advise governments and organizations on AI-related policies and ethics.

5. Networking and Events:

Facilitate annual and regional forums, workshops, and round tables to share best practices, success stories, and innovation outcomes.

6. Structure and Governance

The AI2SD African Academy Network Forum operates under the scientific and organizational framework of the AI2SD Conference. It is led by a Scientific Committee and Advisory Board composed of distinguished professors, researchers, and experts representing different African regions and international partners. The Forum is co-chaired by academic leaders from renowned African institutions, ensuring diversity, inclusiveness, and scientific excellence.

7. Expected Outcomes

Creation of a sustainable African AI academic network. Development of joint academic programs and collaborative research platforms. Publication of white papers and research roadmaps on AI for sustainable development. Reinforcement of Africa’s participation in international AI research consortia. Strengthening of academic-industry partnerships across African countries.

8. Strategic Importance

The AI2SD African Academy Network Forum is not only a scientific event but also a strategic vision to build Africa’s collective intelligence infrastructure. It positions African universities as drivers of innovation and societal transformation, capable of shaping the ethical and sustainable deployment of AI technologies for the continent’s future.

9. Conclusion

By gathering prominent scholars, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and researchers, the Forum AI2SD African Academy Network aspires to become the leading academic and innovation alliance for AI and sustainable development in Africa. It reflects the spirit of collaboration, excellence, and solidarity, and marks an essential step toward an integrated African research ecosystem capable of responding to local challenges with global impact.