Accra, Ghana, has once again been selected as the host city for the Pan-African AI Summit, which will convene for its second edition in September 2026. The announcement confirms the city’s growing status as a leading centre for digital innovation, policy dialogue, and emerging technology development on the African continent.
Scheduled to take place from 22 to 23 September 2026 at the Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City, the summit is expected to bring together a diverse mix of policymakers, technology leaders, entrepreneurs, academics, development partners, and young innovators from across Africa and beyond. Building on the success of its inaugural edition, the 2026 summit aims to deepen conversations around the ethical, inclusive, and practical deployment of artificial intelligence in Africa.
The first Pan-African AI Summit, held in 2025, recorded strong participation, with close to 1,000 attendees joining both physically and virtually. It featured more than 40 expert speakers and welcomed delegates from over 30 countries, underscoring the growing interest in artificial intelligence as a tool for socio-economic transformation across the continent. Lessons from the maiden edition have informed the design of the upcoming summit, with organisers promising a more expansive and impact-driven programme.
The 2026 edition will be held under the theme “Scaling Africa’s Ethical AI Ecosystem: Youth Empowerment, Policy, Partnerships, and Skill.” This theme reflects the urgent need for African-led approaches to artificial intelligence that are grounded in ethics, inclusivity, and local realities, while remaining globally competitive.
A major pillar of the summit will be youth empowerment. Recognizing Africa’s youthful population and its potential to drive the continent’s digital future, the event will feature expanded masterclasses, technical workshops, mentorship programmers, and capacity-building sessions. These initiatives are designed to equip young professionals, students, and start-ups with practical AI skills, exposure to global best practices, and access to networks that can support innovation and entrepreneurship.
Another core focus area is AI policy and governance. The summit will host high-level policy dialogues, ministerial roundtables, and expert discussions aimed at strengthening regulatory frameworks for artificial intelligence across Africa. These sessions will explore issues such as data protection, algorithmic accountability, cross-border collaboration, and the role of governments in enabling responsible AI adoption while safeguarding public interest.
The 2026 summit will also place strong emphasis on partnerships and investment. Organizers plan to expand networking opportunities and introduce an enhanced AI pitch competition that connects start-ups with investors, development partners, and corporate stakeholders. This initiative seeks to bridge the gap between innovation and financing, helping promising AI solutions move from concept to scale.
In addition, the programme will highlight sector-specific applications of artificial intelligence, with dedicated sessions examining how AI can be leveraged to address challenges in key areas such as education, agriculture, healthcare, financial services, and public administration. These discussions will showcase practical use cases, pilot projects, and success stories that demonstrate AI’s potential to improve service delivery, productivity, and decision-making across both public and private sectors.
Accessibility remains a defining feature of the Pan-African AI Summit. Organizers have confirmed that participation will continue to be free of charge, reinforcing the summit’s commitment to inclusive knowledge sharing and broad stakeholder engagement. This approach is expected to encourage participation from underrepresented groups, early-stage innovators, and institutions with limited resources.
The 2026 event is anticipated to attract a wide range of participants, including government officials, central bank representatives, multinational technology firms, start-ups, research institutions, universities, civil society organizations, and international development partners. Together, these stakeholders will engage in collaborative dialogue aimed at shaping a shared vision for Africa’s AI future.
As preparations intensify, the Pan-African AI Summit is positioning itself as a strategic platform for advancing continental cooperation, fostering innovation, and promoting responsible artificial intelligence. With Accra once again serving as the host city, the 2026 edition is expected to play a pivotal role in accelerating Africa’s journey toward a resilient, ethical, and inclusive AI ecosystem.
