Applied Machine Learning Days (AMLD) Africa is set to return with its most expansive edition to date, as the continent’s leading artificial intelligence minds convene at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg for a four-day pan-African AI summit. The 2026 edition will bring together global researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, startups, and emerging youth talent, reinforcing AMLD Africa’s position as a cornerstone of Africa’s rapidly growing AI ecosystem.
Building on a legacy shaped by world-renowned figures such as Yoshua Bengio, Karim Beguir, and senior leaders from global institutions including Oracle, IBM, and Novartis, AMLD Africa continues to raise the bar. The 2024 edition, hosted at USIU Africa in Nairobi, attracted over 1,600 participants and featured high-calibre speakers such as Prof. Annie Hartley, Darlington Akogo, and Prof. Vukosi Marivate.
This year’s confirmed keynote speakers include Priya Donti, named in the TIME AI 100 list; former Microsoft executive and best-selling author Tom Lawry; LelapaAI CTO Jade Abbott; Google South Africa Country Director Kabelo Makwane; and Samuel Segun, Senior Researcher at the Global Center on AI Governance. They will be joined by a distinguished lineup including Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of the United Nations University and UN Under-Secretary-General; Prof. Benjamin Rosman of TIME AI 100 recognition; Dr. Lily Paemka, Deputy Director of WAGMC; and Dr. Mihir Patel, Chief Visionary Officer at Ospitek Inc.
The 2026 program will feature thematic tracks spanning healthcare, sustainability, economic empowerment, cultural preservation, ethics, and AI governance. Through keynotes, hands-on workshops, and exhibitions, the conference will spotlight African-led innovation and practical applications of AI that address local and global challenges. The event opens with a dedicated “Day 0 – Startups and Communities,” designed to amplify grassroots innovation and showcase emerging AI startups from across the continent.
More than a conference, AMLD Africa positions itself as a community and a pan-African movement grounded in the belief that AI should be free, inclusive, and community-driven. Its Ambassador Program now spans over 20 African countries and will enable live broadcasts of the conference to more than 20 universities, engaging over 500 participants in satellite hubs led by students and professors. Complementing this is the recently launched “Node by AMLD” initiative, which establishes student-led AI clubs at African universities, with active chapters already in Zimbabwe, Benin, Nigeria, and Madagascar.
AMLD Africa 2026 is supported by a strong coalition of partners, including Google and Schmidt Sciences as Gold sponsors, the Swiss Embassy in South Africa, Digital Umuganda, and Masakhane Language Hub as Silver sponsors, with Turkish Airlines as the official travel partner. The initiative is also backed by EPFL through its Excellence in Africa (EXAF) lab.
As AMLD Africa returns to Johannesburg, it aims to celebrate the continent’s diversity of ideas, voices, and visions—positioning Africa not just as a participant, but as a leader in shaping a sovereign and inclusive AI future where Ubuntu meets innovation.
