Building Africa’s Shared Compute and AI Infrastructure
Build 2026
Africa’s Shared Compute and AI Infrastructure Conference, for advancing the infrastructure, investment, policy and partnerships required to strengthen Africa’s position in the global AI ecosystem.
Partners & Sponsors
About Build 2026
A continental platform for Africa's AI future
Build 2026 is Africa’s Shared Compute and AI Infrastructure Conference hosted by the Nigeria AI Collective, under the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. It is a platform to examine how Africa’s AI ambitions can be supported through regional approaches to shared compute, infrastructure investment, economic investment, governance, and partnerships that strengthen Africa’s AI ecosystem.
The conference will place this continental discourse at the crossroads of a diverse range of stakeholders, who will concretely define actionable approaches for policy beyond rhetoric. With severe shortfalls in power, connectivity, human capital, network bandwidth, and an evolving policy environment, the expansion of locally owned compute infrastructure remains an important priority for Africa’s AI ecosystem. Undoubtedly, the African compute infrastructure will be built.
This conference will frame a roadmap for governments to incentivize African multinationals towards the uptake of AI infrastructure to achieve digital sovereignty; largely by upskilling and building industry-specific AI solutions to capture future market value.
Six Tracks, One Agenda
Thematic Tracks
BUILD 2026 invites abstracts that examine the infrastructure, economic, political, social and institutional dimensions of Africa’s emerging AI ecosystem.
Infrastructure
Develop practical pathways to scale energy, shared compute, and AI-ready digital infrastructure as the foundation for Africa’s AI ecosystem, while strengthening the technical capacity required to support long-term AI development.
Economy
Define how investments in compute infrastructure can accelerate GDP growth, strengthen industrial competitiveness, attract private investment, and create high-value digital jobs across Africa.
Geopolitics
Strengthen Africa’s digital sovereignty, regional cooperation, and collective bargaining power to shape global AI governance, expand equitable access to compute, and position the continent as a strategic actor in the global AI ecosystem.
Governance & Ethics
Strengthen governance frameworks, ethical standards, and multi-stakeholder collaboration to foster responsible, transparent, and trusted AI.
Tech Justice
Promotes equitable access, inclusive participation, and local ownership to ensure the benefits of AI are shared across Africa.
Innovation Catalysis
Accelerating research, entrepreneurship, and strategic partnerships to translate African innovation into scalable solutions.
Speakers Spotlight
Meet the Visionaries and Thought Leaders
Get a first look at the leading experts and key figures from around the. continent confirmed to speak.
What to Expect
The Build 2026 Experience
Plenary Sessions
Multiple plenary sessions featuring government leaders, development partners, industry leaders, and distinguished experts
Ministerial Dialogues/Fireside Chats
High-level discussions on continental priorities, policy direction, and strategic partnerships.
Research Presentation Sessions
Peer-reviewed presentations showcasing the latest African research, emerging evidence, and policy-relevant findings across all thematic areas.
Innovation Showcases
Demonstrations of African AI solutions, technologies, startups, and university-led innovations.
Policy Dialogues
Interactive discussions exploring policy options, regional cooperation, and implementation priorities.
Technical Workshops
Practical sessions on AI infrastructure, governance, standards, data, and emerging technologies.
Executive Roundtables
Closed-door discussions among governments, industry, investors, and development partners on strategic priorities and collaboration opportunities.
Investment & Partnership Forum
Dedicated platform connecting governments, investors, startups, research institutions, and development partners to explore investment and partnership opportunities.
Research-to-Innovation Forum
Sessions connecting researchers, innovators, industry, and investors to accelerate commercialization and technology transfer.
Innovation Expo
Exhibition featuring AI startups, research prototypes, digital solutions, and technology demonstrations from across Africa.