Honouring forty Africans under the age of forty whose work in research, entrepreneurship, policy, education and applied AI is shaping the continent’s intelligence economy.
The AI Masterclass will hold on November 26, 2026 in Lagos. The topic, content and curriculum are unchanged: AI Under Attack: Mastering LLM & Generative AI Data Security in Financial Institutions.
The Summit will hold on a later date, to be announced. Its speakers and agenda remain as published. The new date will appear on this website and be sent directly to delegates, speakers and partners.
The Top 40 Under 40 African AI Achievers Awards and Africa’s 100 Rising AI Startups continue. Registration for both events remains open, and our team is available at contact@catalysthubafrica.com.
A continental initiative to identify, spotlight and connect Africa’s most promising AI ventures with the investors, partners and opportunities they deserve. Launched by the Society for Artificial Intelligence Advancement (SfAI) in partnership with the African AI Summit and leading ecosystem organisations.
Investable
Real traction, validated business models and measurable impact that makes investors take notice.
Scalable
The architecture, vision and team to grow from hundreds of users to millions, across the continent and beyond.
Unstoppable
Founders who understand African markets intimately and refuse to wait for permission to build the future.
<1%
of global AI investment reaches African startups. The talent is there and the solutions are ready. What is missing is visibility, and this programme exists to change that.
Explore the programmeApplications are open to AI startups in all 54 African nations. Deadline: October 30, 2026.
About the Summit
Africa’s Defining AI Moment is Now.
The African AI Leadership Summit (AALS) 2026 is the continent’s highest-profile gathering of AI leaders, innovators, investors, and policy-makers. Hosted by Catalyst AI Hub International and convened by Dr. Daniel Adaramola.
With 1.4 billion people, the world’s youngest population, and an AI market growing at 35%+ annually, Africa is not the future of AI — it is the present. AALS 2026 is where that story gets told.
Two flagship events: the AI Masterclass, an executive-level AI security training bootcamp on November 26, 2026, and the Summit, the full leadership conference with keynotes, panels, a live startup showcase, and vendor exhibition, on a date to be announced.
Ministers, CISOs, global tech leaders, and investors on Africa’s most important AI stage.
🚀
100 Rising AI Startups
Africa’s most investable AI ventures, spotlighted and given a platform at the summit to pitch and present to decision-makers.
🏆
Top 40 Under 40
The African AI Achievers Awards, honouring forty Africans under forty across five award categories.
Programme
Two Events. Endless Impact.
01
AI Masterclass
November 26, 2026 · 9:00am–4:00pm
Executive AI security training. Full-day instructor-led bootcamp: AI Under Attack — Mastering LLM & GenAI Data Security in Financial Institutions. Four modules. Six hands-on activities. Eight working documents.
The African AI Leadership Summit 2026 conference. Theme: From Vision to Velocity — Powering Africa’s AI-Led Future. Four keynotes, two panels, live AI startup pitches, and vendor exhibition.
The awards honour forty Africans under the age of forty whose work is shaping artificial intelligence on the continent and beyond. Meet the 2025 winners, see how the five award categories work, and nominate someone for 2027.
Every winner is placed in one of five categories by the judges, according to the scale and reach of their impact: from the emerging talent making a mark locally to the figures shaping AI worldwide.
Tier 1
Global Icons
8 winners in 2025
Individuals who have achieved extraordinary, transformational impact that extends far beyond the African continent. They hold multiple prestigious international recognitions, and their work has fundamentally shaped the global AI discourse, policy or technological landscape.
The pinnacle of African AI achievement, and global ambassadors for African excellence in AI
Recognition by top-tier global institutions such as TIME 100, Forbes lists and major international awards
Ground-breaking research that has shifted paradigms or opened new fields of inquiry
Direct influence on international AI policy, ethics frameworks or regulatory discussions
Tier 2
International Pioneers
6 winners in 2025
Individuals who have achieved significant scale, recognition or impact at continental or major organisational level. They are building substantial ecosystems and driving pan-African AI initiatives.
Recognised leaders across Africa, beyond their home region
Substantial research output with continental or international citation impact
Leadership of initiatives that span multiple African countries
An active role in building AI ecosystems, infrastructure or communities across the continent
Tier 3
Continental Champions
10 winners in 2025
Leading voices and actors within the continent who are actively building pathways toward global recognition. They have demonstrated proven success in their domains and are expanding their sphere of influence.
A dominant or highly influential presence within the continent
Proven research contributions published in recognised venues
Successful ventures or research programmes with measurable impact
Training and capacity-building initiatives that develop the next generation
Tier 4
Solid Contributors
10 winners in 2025
Achievers with a consistent track record of quality work over several years, whose reputation and impact are growing across national boundaries.
A consistent track record of quality work over multiple years
Experience working across different countries or contexts
Reliable advancement of AI applications, research or education in African settings
Demonstrated commitment to advancing AI in ways that benefit African communities
Tier 5
Rising Stars
6 winners in 2025
Emerging talents who are making important contributions at local or institutional level and showing exceptional potential for future leadership. They are the pipeline of Africa’s next generation of AI leaders.
Early-stage but impressive contributions to AI in African contexts
Clear technical excellence, innovation or leadership potential
Tangible local impact through research, entrepreneurship or education
Recognition by peers and mentors as high-potential talent
2025 winners
THE CLASS OF 2025
Forty achievers from across Africa and the diaspora, presented at AALS 2025 in Lagos.
2027 nominations
NOMINATE A 2027 ACHIEVER
Twelve questions in three short sections. Most nominations take 8 to 12 minutes, and you can nominate yourself.
Nomination received. Thank you. The judges may contact you by email if they need to confirm any detail. Nominate another person
Executive AI Security Training · November 26, 2026
AI MASTERCLASS
AI Under Attack: Mastering LLM & Generative AI Data Security in Financial Institutions
A full-day, instructor-led training bootcamp — not a lecture series. Four modules, six hands-on activities, eight institution-specific working documents.
📅 November 26, 2026
⏰ 9:00am — 4:00pm (7 hours)
📍 Lagos, Nigeria
🎓 Certificate of Completion
Programme Overview
Built on the World’s Most Authoritative LLM Security Framework
Every topic is grounded in the OWASP Top 10 for LLM Applications & GenAI Data Security Best Practices Guide (v1.0, February 2025) — translated into the regulatory context of Nigerian financial institutions under NDPA 2023 and the CBN Cybersecurity Framework.
Training Methods
Instructor Teaching
Direct teaching on technical concepts, risk frameworks, and regulatory requirements — Nigerian banking context throughout
Live Demonstrations
Real-time on-screen demonstrations of LLM attack techniques including prompt injection and data leakage
Individual Labs
Structured exercises where each participant applies concepts to their own institution
Group Workshops
Facilitated group activities building frameworks with structured trainer debrief
Tabletop Simulation
Realistic Nigerian banking AI breach scenario played out in small groups
Open Q&A
Structured question periods and dedicated open Q&A throughout the day
8 Working Documents Produced
🗺
Institution AI Threat Surface Map
Complete inventory of all AI tools with data exposure classification
📋
AI Risk Register
OWASP-aligned prioritised risk register specific to your institution
⚖
Regulatory Gap Analysis Matrix
Gap analysis vs NDPA 2023 and CBN Framework — board-ready
🔍
AI Vendor Due Diligence Framework
Customised checklist ready for immediate use in procurement
🚨
AI Incident Response Protocol
First-response plan for an AI system breach
📝
Employee AI Acceptable Use Policy
Template ready for legal review and staff communication
📅
AI Security Action Plan — 30/90/180 Days
Institution-specific roadmap for immediate action
🎍
Certificate of Completion
Catalyst AI Hub International, co-signed by Society for AI Advancement
Scenes from AALS 2025
Training Modules
Four Modules. Six Activities. One Day.
Module 1
The AI Landscape for Financial Institutions
75 Minutes · 09:15 – 10:30
Participants build a shared, accurate understanding of how LLMs and Generative AI systems actually work — stripped of hype and translated into the banking context.
1.1 — How Large Language Models Work
What is an LLM? Architecture, training data, inference, and token generation
Why probabilistic outputs create a fundamentally different security risk profile
How LLMs ‘memorise’ training data — sensitive information can resurface in unexpected outputs
Agentic AI — the next wave: AI systems that autonomously take actions
1.2 — Traditional Security vs LLM-Specific Security
Traditional controls: encryption (AES-256, TLS 1.3), RBAC, data masking, network perimeter
The LLM threat model: three distinct attack surfaces — Supply Chain, Model Input, Further Operation
🔮
LAB
Lab 1.1 — Institution AI Threat Surface Map
Each participant maps their institution’s full AI exposure: every AI tool in use (approved and unapproved), data each tool touches, and current security controls.
Module 2
The Data Security Threat Landscape
75 Minutes · 10:45 – 12:00
Drawing directly from the OWASP Top 10 for LLM GenAI Applications 2025, participants encounter the specific threats that LLM deployments introduce. Every risk illustrated with a Nigerian banking scenario.
Principle 12 — Ethical & Responsible AI Governance
📋
WORKSHOP
Workshop 3.1 — Regulatory Gap Analysis
Each participant scores their institution’s compliance level against NDPA 2023 and CBN Framework requirements.
Module 4
Building Your AI Security Framework
60 Minutes · 14:30 – 15:30
The final module transitions from knowledge to action. Every exercise produces a working document that participants take back to their institution.
🔧
WORKSHOP
Workshop 4.1 — AI Vendor Due Diligence Framework
Each participant customises the OWASP-aligned Vendor Due Diligence Assessment Template to their institution, adding specific data categories and regulatory obligations.
🚨
TABLETOP
Tabletop Simulation 4.2 — The Nigerian Banking AI Breach
Scenario: a Nigerian bank’s credit scoring LLM has been compromised via a supply chain attack. Groups work through DETECT · CONTAIN · NOTIFY · RECOVER phases. Each participant leaves with a first-response AI incident protocol.
Register for the AI Masterclass
Secure your place in this intensive, practical AI security training programme. Group rates available for 5+ delegates from the same institution.
“From Vision to Velocity: Powering Africa’s AI-Led Future”
Four keynotes. Two panels. Live startup pitches. Vendor showcase. Summit declaration. Africa’s most consequential AI leadership conversation — in one room.
📅 Date to be announced
⏰ 9:00am — 4:00pm
👥 500+ Delegates Expected
All 14 Speakers
Thematic Pillars
Five Pillars. One Continental Vision.
01
The Africa AI Mandate
Policy, governance, and continental AI strategy
02
The Intelligence Economy
Investment, capital flows, and market creation
03
Technology & Innovation
Building AI that is made for Africa, by Africa
04
AI for African People
Health, agriculture, finance, and education
05
The Next Generation
Startups, entrepreneurship, talent, and the future
AALS 2025 — Moments from the Main Stage
Programme
Full Summit Programme
09:00
Opening
Summit Opening Ceremony
National Anthem / Invocation · MC Welcome · Opening Address by Executive Director, Catalyst AI Hub International · VIP Welcome by Government Representative
09:15
Keynote 1
“The Africa AI Mandate: Why the World’s Intelligence Future is Being Written Here”
Pillar: Policy & Continental AI Strategy · Speaker: African Union Commissioner / Head of State / Minister of Technology
Africa is not behind in AI — it is at a different starting point with unique structural advantages
The continent’s AI opportunity is estimated at over trillion in economic impact by 2030
A coordinated AU-level AI strategy is the single highest-leverage policy intervention available
09:45
Keynote 2
“Capital Follows Vision: Why Global Investors Are Turning to Africa”
Pillar: Investment & The Intelligence Economy · Speaker: MD/Director — World Bank Africa, IFC, AfDB, or Tier-1 Africa-focused VC
Africa received B+ in startup funding in 2024 — AI is the fastest-growing sub-sector
Mobile-first adoption + underserved markets + young demographics = outsized AI return potential
10:15
Keynote 3
“From Consumer to Creator: The Technology Sovereignty Imperative”
Pillar: Technology & Innovation · Speaker: VP/Regional MD — Google Africa, Microsoft Africa, IBM, Huawei Africa, or AWS Africa
AI trained on Western data will solve Western problems — Africa needs AI trained on African data
The opportunity to build African-language AI is still wide open and largely uncaptured
“AI Governance for Africa: Building the Policy Architecture for a Trusted AI Ecosystem”
Pillar: Policy, Governance & Trust · Moderated panel — 4–5 panelists | Audience Q&A final 15 min
Is a pan-African AI regulatory framework achievable within this decade?
How should African data protection authorities handle AI-generated and synthetic datasets?
What accountability mechanisms are mandatory for AI systems in government services?
12:00
Startup Stage
Africa’s Next AI Innovators — Live Pitches to Investors (90 minutes)
6 live startup pitches × 13 minutes each (9 min pitch + 4 min judge Q&A).
Pitch
Sector Focus
Time
1
AI in Financial Services / RegTech
12:03–12:16
2
AgriTech AI / Food Security
12:16–12:29
3
HealthTech AI / Diagnostics
12:29–12:42
4
EdTech AI / African-Language Learning
12:42–12:55
5
Cybersecurity AI / Identity / Trust
12:55–13:08
6
Smart Infrastructure / Climate AI
13:08–13:21
13:30
Lunch
Hosted Lunch + Open Floor Startup Showcase (60 minutes)
All startup stands fully open. Free movement. Investor-founder informal follow-ups. Sponsor booths open. The single most important networking hour of the day.
14:30
Keynote 4
“The Global-Africa AI Partnership: What the World Owes Africa — and What Africa Owes Itself”
Pillar: Investment, Inclusion & African Accountability · Global tech CEO / UN Agency Director / Globally recognised African AI leader
15:00
Panel 2
“AI at the Frontier: Talent, Technology & Africa’s Next Decade”
Pillar: Technology, Innovation & The Next Generation · Moderator: Dr. Daniel Adaramola, Executive Director, Catalyst AI Hub International
15:45
Closing
AALS 2026 Summit Declaration & Official Close
AALS 2026 Summit Declaration — distributed to all AU member states and attending governments
Startup Awards — Best AI Innovation · Most Investable Startup · Best AI for Social Impact
Announcement: AALS 2027 · Official Close — Networking Reception (4:00pm onwards)
Register for the Summit
Join 500+ delegates, investors, ministers, and innovators at Africa’s premier AI leadership summit.
14 of Africa’s and the world’s most respected voices in AI, cybersecurity, digital transformation, and technology leadership — on one stage, in Lagos.
Speaker Lineup
AALS 2026 Faculty
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Sithembile Songo
South Africa
CISO of the Year · Top 50 Global Cyber Professional · Top 100 Women in Cybersecurity
Sithembile Songo has been crowned CISO of the Year, named one of the 50 Top of Mind Global Executives, one of the top 50 cyber professionals, one of the top 100 global women in cybersecurity. International speaker and board member across multiple organisations globally.
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Mohamed Hamed
Egypt
C-Level Technology Consultant · 27 Years IT & Information Security
Well-experienced with 27 years in information technology and security executive management across hospitality, manufacture, fintech, medical, banking, and travel sectors.
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Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola
Nigeria
Chair, AU Cyber Security Expert Group (AUCSEG) · Commissioner, Global Commission on Stability of Cyberspace · UN UNODA Expert
Chair, African Union Cyber Security Expert Group; Commissioner of the Global Commission on Stability of Cyberspace; Member of Nigeria’s Presidential Committee on the 2020–2025 National Broadband Plan.
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Tunde Dada
Nigeria
20+ Years IT & Business Continuity Management · Global IT/BCM Policy Development
Over 20 years of successful experience in Information Technology systems security and Business Continuity management across global IT/BCM policy development.
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Dr. Favour-Femi Oyewole
Nigeria
Group CISO & DPO, Access Bank Plc · Fellow, BCS · First Female Blockchain Certified Professional in Africa
Group CISO and Data Protection Officer at Access Bank Plc. First female in Africa to be a Blockchain Certified Professional. Over 25 years of experience managing all aspects of Information Technology and cybersecurity.
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Debra Bilikha
UK · France · UAE
Digital Transformation & AI Strategy Consultant · 18 Years Banking & Fintech
Digital Transformation & AI strategy and execution consultant with 18 years’ experience in Banking & Fintech in the UK, France, and UAE. Enables businesses to unlock the full potential of AI for transformative growth.
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Tinuade Oguntuyi
Nigeria
GM Technical, ICSL · Co-Chair, Internet Society Infrastructure WG · STEM Inclusion Driver
GM Technical at Information Connectivity Solutions Limited. Designed and implemented over 30 major network infrastructure projects across 12+ sectors. Passionate STEM inclusion driver and mentor for women and girls in STEM fields.
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Alex Tsado
Nigeria
Go-to-Market Lead, NVIDIA Cloud AI · Founder, Alliance for Africa’s Intelligence · UN Speaker
Leads go-to-market for NVIDIA’s fastest-growing cloud AI computing business. Founded Alliance for Africa’s Intelligence to ensure African innovations get the chance to change millions of lives.
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Adeoluwa Akomolafe
Nigeria
First CISO, WEMA Bank · Cambridge Judge CTO Programme · HarvardX Cybersecurity
Joined WEMA Bank as its first CISO, establishing the Information Security Department from the ground up. Delivered successful ISO 27001 recertification cycles and sustained PCI DSS compliance.
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Irene Corpuz
Middle East
Founding Partner, WiCSME · Strategic Steering Committee, GFCE · Top 20 Women in Cybersecurity Worldwide
Founding Partner and Board Member of Women in Cybersecurity Middle East (WiCSME). Recognised as one of the Top 20 Women in Cybersecurity worldwide.
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Dr. Harrison Nnaji
Nigeria
Group CISO, FirstBank Nigeria · PhD Offensive Cyber Engineering · MSc Applied Data Sciences & AI
Accomplished data, cyber, and information security strategist. Holds 2 PhDs and multiple industry certifications. As Group CISO of FirstBank, implements advanced AI-powered threat detection.
Distinguished cybersecurity expert leading critical national initiatives at NITDA. His work has been pivotal in advancing Nigeria’s cybersecurity maturity — NITDA trained over 32,000 Nigerians in blockchain technology.
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Oluseyi Akindeinde
Nigeria
Founder, Hyperspace Technologies & NeuRaL AI · 25+ Years IT Security · 4 Technology Patents
Technology innovator with over 25 years in information security. Holds four technology patents at the intersection of cybersecurity, Web3, and artificial intelligence.
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Dr. Daniel Adaramola
Nigeria
Founder & Executive Director, Catalyst AI Hub International
15+ years in technology risk management. Founder of Catalyst AI Hub International — training 3,000+ AI professionals across 6 African countries. Transformational Leader of the Year 2025 — House of Lords, London. Global Champion 2025 — World CIO 200 Summit, Egypt.
Want to Speak at AALS 2026?
We are accepting speaker applications for the Summit.
Africa’s AI revolution is no longer a promise. It is happening now, in offices, rural communities, hospital corridors and farm fields across the continent. Young African entrepreneurs are building AI ventures that solve local problems and represent the next frontier of global investment.
Africa has the world’s youngest population, the fastest-growing mobile economy, and a generation of entrepreneurs solving billion-dollar problems with artificial intelligence. Yet less than 1% of global AI investment reaches African startups. Not because the talent isn’t there, and not because the solutions aren’t ready, but because the visibility isn’t there.
The Society for Artificial Intelligence Advancement (SfAI), in partnership with the African AI Summit and leading ecosystem organisations, has launched Africa’s 100 Rising AI Startups to bridge that gap: connecting exceptional African AI innovation with the global capital, partnerships and platforms waiting to support it.
The Investable Frontier
Open for business. Serious business.
The Investable Frontier is our commitment to curating the most compelling AI ventures across agriculture, healthcare, education, financial inclusion, climate action and beyond: startups proven in deployment, validated by users and ready for scale.
Investable
Real traction, validated business models and measurable impact that makes investors take notice.
Scalable
Built with the architecture, vision and team to grow from hundreds of users to millions, across the continent and beyond.
Unstoppable
Driven by founders who understand African markets intimately and refuse to wait for permission to build the future.
Who we’re looking for
AI startups across all 54 African nations
Deploying AI solutions that address real African challenges
Demonstrating traction through users, revenue or measurable impact
Led by ambitious founders committed to continental and global scale
Operating in high-impact sectors: agriculture, healthcare, education, fintech, climate, logistics and governance
What selected startups gain
More than recognition. A launchpad.
Investment access
Direct exposure to angel investors, VCs, impact funds and development finance institutions actively seeking African AI opportunities.
Continental visibility
Feature spotlights across African and international media, tech platforms and innovation publications.
Strategic partnerships
Connections to corporate partners, accelerators, government agencies and ecosystem organisations ready to collaborate.
Summit showcase
A platform at the African AI Summit to pitch, present and demonstrate solutions to decision-makers.
Capacity building
Access to executive training, technical masterclasses and mentorship from Africa’s leading AI practitioners and business leaders.
Global positioning
Nomination and referral to international startup programmes, competitions and grant opportunities.
The initiative. The impact. The legacy.
The beginning of a movement
Africa’s 100 Rising AI Startups is more than an annual programme. It is a systematic, yearly effort to surface Africa’s most investable AI ventures, build their visibility and connect them to the fuel they need to scale. Each cohort adds to a growing catalogue of proof that African AI innovation is real, impactful and ready for the world.
Applications Now Open
Deadline: October 30, 2026. This is The Investable Frontier, and we’re just getting started.
AALS 2026 partners are not buying advertising — they are securing positioning at the centre of Africa’s most consequential technology conversation.
The Opportunity
Why Africa. Why Now. Why AALS 2026.
Africa stands at the most consequential inflection point in the history of global technology. With 1.4 billion people, the world’s youngest population, and an AI market growing at 35%+ annually, Africa represents the single largest untapped opportunity in the global intelligence economy.
35%+
AI Market CAGR
1.4B
Population
500+
Delegates
54
African Nations
Partnership Tiers
Five Partnership Levels. Measurable ROI.
★ PLATINUM
Co-Presenting Partner · 1 Exclusive Slot
“In Partnership with [Your Company]” on ALL summit materials, stage backdrop, website, and press
One (1) premium 20-minute keynote slot on the AALS Main Stage
Reserved seat on the highest-profile panel of the summit
Exclusive hosted breakfast with top 20 VIP delegates
First-access investor meetings with all 10 pitching startups
