ECOSYSTEM MEETUPS
Showcase & Connect at the Ecosystem Meetups.
Six sector meetups at Build 2026, where startups, researchers, developers, development organisations, civil society and practitioners showcase what they are building, meet the people working on the same problems, and leave with real collaborations.
Application Deadline: 15th October 2026
Why the meetups?
The main stage sets the agenda. The meetups facilitate connections.
Build 2026 is about Africa’s shared compute and AI infrastructure. The Ecosystem Meetups open the conference to the people applying AI on the ground, in focused rooms built for participation rather than listening.
- Take part, not just attend. An accessible space beyond the main programme where organisations and individuals can contribute meaningfully.
- Meet your sector. Connect with startups, researchers, developers, funders and practitioners tackling related challenges.
- Get your work seen. A platform for smaller and emerging players with relevant products, research, solutions or initiatives.
- Leave with next steps. Partnerships, referrals, pilots, funding leads and other concrete forms of engagement.
Meetup tracks
Pick the room where your work belongs.
4 tracks run at the same time at the end of day one, so pick any one of these tracks for day
AI for Health
AI applications, health data, diagnostics, health systems, public health, health research and responsible deployment
AI for Agriculture
Precision agriculture, livestock, food systems, climate resilience, agricultural markets, extension and rural applications
AI for Education
EdTech, personalised learning, AI literacy, assessment, teacher support, research and education systems
AI for Financial Inclusion
Digital finance, credit, payments, insurance, financial literacy, risk assessment and inclusive financial services
2 tracks run at the same time at the end of day two, so pick any one of these tracks for day
Youth in AI
Youth-led innovation, developer communities, skills, entrepreneurship, research, employment and pathways into the AI ecosystem
Women in AI
Women-led innovation, participation, leadership, skills, entrepreneurship, research and inclusive access to AI opportunities
How a meetup runs
Five pathways, one session.
Every meetup is highly participatory. A moderator guides the room from introductions to commitments.
- Connect. Meet the people in your sector, fast.
- Showcase. Short demos of emerging solutions and initiatives.
- Discuss. Name the sector’s real challenges and openings.
- Match. Pair what people need with what others offer.
- Commit. Agree the collaborations you will follow up on.
What every session produces
- A curated list of participating ecosystem actors
- Short showcases of emerging solutions and initiatives
- Key challenges and opportunities, named by participants
- Potential collaborations and partnership opportunities
- Referrals to relevant ecosystem actors
- Priority ideas for continued work with the Nigeria AI Collective
The Outcome Card: Each moderator completes a short Outcome Card at the end of the session, capturing key insights, opportunities and follow-up actions.
Who should apply
Anyone building, researching or deploying AI in these sectors.
Startups · Researchers · Developers · Development organisations · Civil society · Practitioners
You don’t need a finished product. Emerging players, early-stage ideas and people looking for collaborators are welcome.
After Build 2026
Join Nigeria AI Collective Ecosystem
The meetups are your entry point into the wider Nigeria AI Collective ecosystem. After the conference, the Collective will stay in touch with participants to keep collaborations moving.
Application Deadline: 15th October 2026