The Deep Learning Indaba (DLI) is the annual gathering of Africa’s machine learning (ML) and AI community, dedicated to strengthening and celebrating African AI. In 2025, the DLI will be held in Kigali, Rwanda at the University of Rwanda from 17 to 22 August 2025. The event will include keynotes, tutorials, workshops, panels, and paper presentations.

We invite proposals for workshops to be held on 21 and 22 August 2025. Workshops serve as focused forums to discuss emerging research, share novel ideas, and encourage active engagement across the African AI community. Previous editions of the Deep Learning Indaba workshops can be found here and here.

We welcome all areas of machine learning and AI. Topics of particular interest include:

  • Foundation models for African languages
  • Trustworthy AI (robustness, explainability, privacy, fairness)
  • Generative models 
  • Learning in low-resource settings (edge ML, tiny ML)
  • NLP and multi-modal learning
  • Computer vision
  • Reinforcement learning
  • Real-world applications (agriculture, healthcare, finance, education, etc.)

Workshops that involve interactive sessions (e.g., Q&A, panels, group discussions) are especially encouraged.

Proposals should highlight how the workshop will benefit the African AI community.

Important Dates

  • Call for workshop proposals released: 14 January 2025
  • Deadline for proposal submission: 24 February 2025
  • Acceptance notifications: Approximately two weeks after the submission deadline
  • Workshop dates: 21 and 22 August 2025

Note: While we anticipate notifying successful proposals around two weeks post-deadline, exact dates may shift slightly based on reviewing timelines.

Workshop Format

Workshops can be structured as either:

  • Full-day (5 hours, excluding breaks) to be held on 21 August
    • Tentatively 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a 30 min tea break at 11:30 a.m. and a 1.5 hour lunch break at 1 p.m.
  • Half-day (3.5 hours, excluding breaks) to be held on 22 August
    • Tentatively 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a 30 min tea break at 11:30 a.m.

Please note that we may request a change from Full-day to Half-day (or vice-versa).

Possible session types include, but are not limited to:

  • Invited talks / keynote speakers
  • Contributed paper presentations
  • Tutorials
  • Panel discussions
  • Poster sessions

We encourage creative, participatory formats that spark dialogue and collaboration.

Submission Instructions

Proposals must be submitted via OpenReview. Please note that an OpenReview profile is required to make a submission. New OpenReview profiles may require a 2 week moderation period, if not created with ‘well-known’ institutional or company email addresses. Please create your OpenReview profile well in advance of the submission deadline to avoid any potential issues.

Proposals consist of a title, list of organisers (specified via OpenReview profiles, or email addresses), keywords, a short summary of the workshop (“abstract” in the submission form), and a single PDF file following the template described below. Please ensure your proposal is complete and follows the template. Incomplete submissions may not be reviewed.

Required Proposal Template

Please structure your proposal as follows:

  • Title & Abstract:

-A concise summary (one paragraph) of your workshop’s focus and scope.

  • Goals & Objectives:

-How the workshop will contribute to African AI and broader ML/AI research.

-Expected outcomes or success metrics.

  • Organising Team:

-Names, affiliations, and roles (highlight the primary contact).

-Brief statement on relevant expertise and how the team ensures diversity (e.g., geographic, gender, career stage).

  • Tentative Agenda / Schedule:

-Indicate full-day or half-day.

-Outline sessions (talks, panels, breaks) with approximate duration.

  • Speakers:

-Confirmed vs. tentative speakers.

-For confirmed speakers, please specify how their flights and accommodation in Kigali will be covered. —-Please also include a short email confirmation from confirmed speakers.

-Rationale for each speaker’s relevance.

-Remote participation plan, if applicable. Note that remote participation is discouraged where possible due to potential internet issues. 

  • Sponsorship & Funding:

-Whether you intend to sponsor speaker travel/lodging.

-Potential industry or institutional sponsors.

  • Promotion & Advertising:

-Methods to attract participants (email lists, social media, flyers, etc.).

  • Relation to Past Workshops (if applicable):

-Links to previous editions, attendance, and outcomes.

  • Diversity & Inclusion:

-Plans to ensure representation (topic scope, speaker lineup, etc.).

  • Additional Information:

-Any special requirements or extra details (expected audience size, A/V needs, etc.).

Selection Criteria

The Workshop Program Committee will review proposals based on:

  • Clarity & completeness of the proposal
  • Relevance to the African AI community
  • Uniqueness / novelty (note: merging may be requested for overlapping topics)
  • Organiser expertise and diversity
  • Potential for impact and active participant engagement
  • Confirmed speakers (with flight and accommodation funding details)

Registration, Funding, and Ticket Allocation

Each accepted workshop receives:

  • 2 free registration tickets for organisers
  • 4 free registration tickets for speakers

Note: 

  • Registration tickets do not include travel or airfare funding. All organisers and speakers are responsible for organising their own travel and accommodation.
  • Additional organisers will need to apply to attend the Indaba through the standard application process, which will be advertised at the end of January. 
  • There are two paths for the standard Indaba applications: with and without travel/accommodation grants. Organisers who require travel grants may make use of the travel grant path. However, please note that the travel grant path is more competitive. In either case acceptance is not guaranteed.
  • For teams with more than two organisers, we encourage all team members to apply through the standard application process so that the two free registrations can be allocated as needed to cover unsuccessful applicants.

After Acceptance

Once a workshop is accepted:

  • Finalize Details: You will confirm the schedule, speakers, and any special requirements.
  • Ticket Allocation: After the standard Indaba attendance notifications have been released, we will ask you to confirm how your two organiser and four speaker tickets will be allocated. There will be a last call after which no last-minute changes will be accepted.
  • Logistical Coordination: The Indaba organisers will coordinate on AV equipment, poster stands, or other venue needs.
  • Final Program Publication: Your workshop details (agenda, speakers, etc.) will be featured on the Deep Learning Indaba 2025 website and promotional materials. 
  • Workshop Website: We require accepted workshops to create webpages with the details of their workshops which we will also link to from the DLI 2025 website.

Contact Information

For questions or assistance, please email the Workshop Chairs at:

pc@deeplearningindaba.com. Please add “[DLI 2025 Workshops]” to the subject of your email.

We look forward to your proposals and to fostering vibrant discussions at Deep Learning Indaba 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda.

Organisers

  • James Urquhart Allingham
  • Yasser Salah Eddine Bouchareb

Thank you for your dedication to building a stronger African AI community.