Deep Learning Indaba 2025 | Kigali, Rwanda

The Deep Learning Indaba is delighted to announce a Call for African Datasets as part of our 2025 conference in Kigali, Rwanda. Our mission is to strengthen machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) capacity across the African continent. A cornerstone of this vision is the development and sharing of datasets that reflect the diverse realities, challenges, and opportunities of Africa.

Objective

This initiative aims to create a robust repository of high-quality, African-relevant datasets to empower researchers, practitioners, and organizations. These datasets will enable the development of AI solutions tailored to Africa’s unique contexts, challenges, and opportunities. By fostering the collection and sharing of African datasets, we aim to:

  • Bridge the Data Gap: Address the current lack of datasets accurately representing African languages, cultures, environments, and challenges.
  • Empower Local Innovation: Provide researchers and developers with the tools to create solutions that are not only innovative but also contextually relevant and impactful.
  • Catalyze Collaboration: Build a community of contributors and users committed to advancing African AI.
  • Promote Ethical Data Use: Ensure data collection and usage prioritize privacy, consent, and equity, setting a gold standard for ethical AI development.

Why This Matters

Data is the lifeblood of AI and machine learning. Yet, much of the data used to train today’s systems comes from contexts that do not reflect the African experience. Without representative data, the solutions developed may fail to address the continent’s specific needs or perpetuate bias and inequality.

This initiative is more than just a call for data; it is a call to action for inclusivity and equity in the global AI landscape. African datasets will:

  • Enhance Representation: Ensure that Africa’s diversity is reflected in AI models, contributing to global technological progress that benefits all.
  • Drive Problem-Solving: Equip researchers with the tools to tackle Africa-specific challenges in health, education, agriculture, and urban development.
  • Shape Policy and Governance: Support evidence-based decision-making and create policies rooted in accurate, local data.

What We’re Looking For

We invite contributions from individuals, academic institutions, private organizations, NGOs, and government bodies. Submissions can include, but are not limited to, datasets in the following domains:

  • Health: Public health records, medical imaging, disease surveillance, and epidemiology.
  • Agriculture: Data on crop health, soil conditions, weather patterns, and resource management.
  • Education: Learning outcomes, digital education tools, and multilingual datasets.
  • Environment: Biodiversity records, conservation data, and climate information.
  • Language & Culture: Text, audio, and video datasets representing African languages, dialects, and cultural heritage.
  • Infrastructure: Urban planning, transportation, and geospatial data for infrastructure development.

All contributions must adhere to ethical guidelines, including data anonymization, informed consent, and compliance with local and international data governance standards.

How to Contribute

  • Prepare Your Dataset: Format and document your dataset comprehensively, ensuring anonymisation where applicable.
  • Complete the Submission Form: Visit this link (https://forms.gle/Ud8Z6ZXs8wMGaUpB9) to provide detailed metadata about your dataset, including its source, structure, and potential applications.
  • Upload Your Dataset: Use our secure platform to upload your files or provide links to external repositories.

Important Dates

  • Applications Close: 30 April 2025
  • Notification of Selection: 28 May 2025
  • Acceptance of invitation: 14 June 2025

Benefits and Collaboration opportunities

As a contributor, you will:

  • Be acknowledged on the Deep Learning Indaba platform and in any research your dataset enables.
  • Join a network of innovators and changemakers shaping the future of AI in Africa.
  • Gain access to datasets contributed by others to support your research and projects.

Join Us in Kigali

This call is part of the broader conversation at the Deep Learning Indaba 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda. The event will bring together leading minds in AI and machine learning, providing a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and collaboration.

Whether you are a researcher, policymaker, industry leader, or enthusiast, your contribution and voice are invaluable. Let’s build an AI ecosystem that represents and serves the African continent.

For questions or more information, contact pc@deeplearningindaba.com or volviane@deeplearningindaba.com 

Let’s make African data the foundation for innovation that transforms lives and builds a brighter future for all!