Call for Applications: AI4EAC Innovation Challenge.

Poni Henry
21 hours ago
3 min read

Updated: 1 hour ago

Think you have got AI skills? Make it Count!

The AI4EAC Innovation Challenge is a programme within the EAC, designed to mobilise young talent to solve real-world challenges through AI. The Challenge aims to advance inclusive socio-economic development by engaging students from diverse academic backgrounds, providing access to computing resources, courses, and accredited AI learning programs.

Over the next 4 months, Zindi will convene a practical data and AI skills programme culminating in a two-day inter-university AI challenge event taking place at universities all over the region. AI builders, enthusiasts and newcomers are all equally welcome to participate; activities will include courses, webinars, in-person training, practice challenges, and a hybrid in-person final event hosted across several universities in the region. Participation is free.

The AI4EAC Innovation Challenge is a flagship initiative of the EAC AI Alliance — a regional programme spearheaded by the EAC Secretariat, in partnership with the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), and the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO), implemented by the German Development Corporation (GIZ), and supported by UNESCO Campus Africa, JICA, and other partners.

Programme Information

The AI4EAC Innovation Challenge is aiming to reach 2000 students from 50 universities across the 8 countries of the EAC, with an upskilling programme focused on real-world AI challenges.

Across 4 months, students from universities, academies, and bootcamps in Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda will participate in courses, webinars, and practice challenges building towards a weekend of AI innovation on 28-29 March 2026. This programme is free to all, and requires no prior knowledge of AI or software development to participate.

Participants who complete the programme stand to gain a wide range of benefits:

Win up to $30,000 USD in cash prizes
Access internships and other real-world job opportunities
Gain real-world, industry-relevant AI experience
Earn certificates and credentials to boost your portfolio
Access free compute resources, office hours, and training
Join a regional network of AI peers and experts across East Africa

The challenges and learning opportunities will fall into 4 streams, coinciding with thematic priorities of the EAC, namely:

Agriculture
Health
Finance and Trade
Education

Each stream will have its own difficulty level, so that participants can choose the level of challenge they are interested in. Within each stream, there will be a grand challenge, preceded by courses, webinars, partner sessions, and practice challenges to help participants prepare accordingly.

Key Dates

18 Dec: Participant info session

01 Jan - 30 Mar: Courses and partner webinars

29 Jan: Partner info session

26 Feb: Partner info session

19 Mar: Partner info session

28 Mar - 29 Mar: Final challenge weekend

03 Apr: Debrief and Programme wrap-up

Core Partners

East Africa Community (EAC)
Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA)
East Africa Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO)
East Africa Swahili Commission
East Africa Women in Business Platform
German Development Corporation (GIZ)
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Campus Africa
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Zindi

Collaborating partners

AAU
Bayer
Cassava
CIAT
Credable
Data.org
Festo
IBM SkillsBuild
LinkedIn
Microsoft
Oracle
Silicon Overdrive

AI4EAC Innovation Challenge Information Session

Join us for the AI4EAC Innovation Challenge Information Session on 15 December at 8PM EAT, where we’ll introduce the programme shaping the region’s next generation of AI innovators.

What to expect:

✨Challenge overview

✨Participation requirements

✨Themes: Education, Agriculture, Trade, Health

✨How AI can drive East Africa’s digital transformation

✨Q&A session for students and universities

8:00 PM - 9:00 PM EAT

RSVP here: https://luma.com/2vavmr5c

Social media handles

Landing page: https://zindi.africa/ai4eac

Facebook: @AI4EAC Innovation Challenge

LinkedIn: @AI4EAC Innovation Challenge