Event Overview
BUILD 2026 is a continental conference focused on the infrastructure, investment, policy and partnerships needed to strengthen Africa’s position in the global AI ecosystem. Hosted by the Nigeria AI Collective under the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, the conference brings together policymakers, investors, researchers, industry leaders, innovators and development partners to address one of Africa’s most pressing AI challenges: access to compute and digital infrastructure.
Event Details
Event: BUILD 2026 – Africa’s Shared Compute & AI Infrastructure Conference
Dates: 21–22 October 2026
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Organiser: Nigeria AI Collective
Format: Conference, policy dialogues, innovation expo, research presentations, workshops and investment forums.
About the Conference
BUILD 2026 examines how Africa can develop the infrastructure needed to support AI at scale through shared compute, energy systems, data centres, connectivity, governance frameworks, and strategic investment. The conference focuses on practical approaches to help African countries build, own, and operate the infrastructure needed to power future AI innovation and economic growth.
What to Expect
Participants can engage in:
- Plenary sessions
- Ministerial dialogues and fireside chats
- Research presentation sessions
- Policy discussions
- Technical workshops
- Executive roundtables
- Innovation showcases
- Investment and partnership forums
- Research-to-innovation sessions
- Innovation Expo exhibitions
Key Focus Areas
The conference programme explores critical themes shaping Africa’s AI future, including:
- Shared compute infrastructure
- High-performance computing
- Data centres and cloud infrastructure
- Energy and connectivity
- AI investment and financing
- Digital sovereignty
- AI governance and policy
- Skills and talent development
- Research and innovation ecosystems
- Regional collaboration and partnerships.
Innovation Expo
A major feature of BUILD 2026 is the Innovation Expo, which showcases AI-powered products, research projects, prototypes and startups from across Africa. Selected innovators may have opportunities to pitch on the main stage, connect with investors and partners, demonstrate products, and gain visibility within Africa’s growing AI ecosystem.
Research & Policy Track
BUILD 2026 includes a research programme that brings together researchers, engineers, policymakers and innovators to contribute evidence and practical solutions related to AI infrastructure development across Africa. Accepted contributions help inform discussions around infrastructure, investment, governance and long-term AI capacity building.
Who Should Attend?
- Government officials and policymakers
- AI researchers and academics
- Technology and infrastructure providers
- Cloud and data centre operators
- Investors and development finance institutions
- Startup founders and innovators
- Digital economy leaders
- Telecommunications and connectivity providers
- Industry and enterprise decision-makers
Why Attend?
Attendees will have opportunities to:
- Understand Africa’s AI infrastructure landscape
- Connect with policymakers and industry leaders
- Explore investment and partnership opportunities
- Showcase AI solutions and research
- Contribute to discussions on digital sovereignty and compute access
- Engage with stakeholders shaping Africa’s AI future.
Registration
The organisers are accepting registrations, abstract submissions, innovation showcase applications and partnership enquiries through the official BUILD 2026 platform.
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