World Bank opens AI challenge for young African innovators
The competition is open to applicants aged 18 to 35 across World Bank member countries, with innovators from emerging economies particularly encouraged to participate.
Participants will choose one of three areas, agriculture, health or tourism and develop a working AI solution that addresses a specific development challenge. (File photo)
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Young innovators aged 18 to 35 in Uganda and other World Bank member countries have been invited to develop artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to challenges in agriculture, health and tourism.
The initiative, known as the Small AI for Development Hackathon Challenge, offers three winners an opportunity to travel to Seoul, South Korea, and showcase their innovations at the Global AI & Digital Summit 2026.
The challenge is organised by the World Bank Group’s Digital and AI Vice Presidency in partnership with the World Bank Group Youth Summit, Development Economics Vice Presidency, Information and Technology Solutions and Hack-Nation.
Young innovators to develop practical AI solutions
The competition is open to applicants aged 18 to 35 across World Bank member countries, with innovators from emerging economies particularly encouraged to participate.
Applicants can enter individually or in teams of up to four members. Each participant must register individually, and submissions must be made in English.
Participants will choose one of three areas, agriculture, health or tourism and develop a working AI solution that addresses a specific development challenge.
Solutions could use basic phones, sensors or microcontrollers and operate with limited connectivity, local data and familiar communication tools such as SMS and voice.
Entries will be assessed on technical merit, development relevance, design and inclusivity. The World Bank says the challenge comes at a time when developing countries face a significant employment challenge, with about 1.2 billion young people in the Global South expected to reach working age over the next 10 to 15 years, while current trends point to about 420 million new jobs being created.
Three winners to travel to Seoul
Three winners will be selected, with one winner coming from each category: agriculture, health and tourism.
The winners will be invited to the Global AI & Digital Summit 2026, which will be held in Seoul from October 19 to 22.
The summit will bring together governments, investors, private-sector leaders, researchers and development partners to discuss how AI and digital technologies can support jobs, productivity and economic opportunities.
The winning innovations will be presented during sector-specific sessions, giving the young innovators an opportunity to showcase their work to an international audience.
However, winners will be responsible for securing their visas, although the World Bank will provide support letters to assist with the visa application process.
Participants will then develop and submit their Small AI solutions during the official competition period on October 3–4.
Applicants should select one of the three categories and focus on a specific development challenge that can be addressed through a practical, accessible AI solution.
The initiative forms part of the World Bank Group’s wider focus on using AI and digital technologies to improve productivity, create jobs and expand economic opportunities in developing economies.
For more information, check the official website http://opportunitiesforafricans.com
Applications close on September 26, 2026, while the two-day competition will take place on October 3 and 4.