Applications are open for the inaugural ECA Innovation Café, an initiative of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Research ICT Africa (RIA).

The initiative is looking for African innovators developing practical AI-enabled solutions that respond to real development challenges across the continent. Selected innovators will have an opportunity to present their work during the 15th Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF 2026), taking place from 2–5 November 2026 in Accra, Ghana.

About the ECA Innovation Café

The ECA Innovation Café is designed to connect African innovation with policy, investment and implementation. It will provide a platform for innovators to demonstrate solutions that are already being developed, tested or deployed to address challenges affecting communities and economies across Africa.

The initiative will bring innovators into direct engagement with policymakers, investors, development partners, researchers, private-sector representatives and technology stakeholders.

Rather than focusing solely on the future potential of artificial intelligence, the Innovation Café will highlight what African innovators are already building, the results being achieved, the challenges encountered and the support required to responsibly deploy and scale these solutions.

Areas of Innovation

AI-enabled solutions may address a range of African development priorities, including:

• Health and healthcare
• Agriculture and food systems
• Education
• Financial inclusion
• Climate action
• Public-service delivery
• Trade and economic development
• Small-business development
• Sustainable development
• Other development challenges relevant to African communities and economies

Solutions should demonstrate a clear connection to development priorities, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Two Key Components

The ECA Innovation Café will feature two complementary activities.

Innovation-to-Policy Exchange

Selected innovators will present their solutions and engage directly with policymakers, development partners, investors, researchers and other stakeholders. The exchange is intended to create dialogue around the practical conditions needed for responsible deployment and wider adoption of AI solutions.

Innovation Exhibition

Selected innovations will also be showcased through an exhibition during AfIGF 2026, giving participants an opportunity to demonstrate their work to a wider continental audience.

Event Details

Event: ECA Innovation Café at AfIGF 2026
Theme: Bridging Policy, Innovation and Implementation through African AI-Enabled Solutions
Date: 2–5 November 2026
Location: Accra, Ghana
Organisers: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Research ICT Africa (RIA)

The ECA Innovation Café provides a platform for African innovators to move beyond demonstrating what AI can do in theory and instead highlight practical solutions already being developed and implemented to address development challenges across the continent.

Don't miss out on the application deadline which is 2 October 2026.