We are thrilled to announce that the Research in Africa showcase will continue at the Deep Learning Indaba 2025, which will be held in the vibrant and beautiful country of Rwanda. A key highlight of the Indaba is the Research in Africa Days, a platform dedicated to showcasing and amplifying the voices, ideas, and ground-breaking work of African scholars and researchers, and their contributions to the African and global AI landscape.

Whether you’re a budding researcher, a seasoned academic, or simply curious about the innovative work emerging from our continent, the Research in Africa showcase is for you. 

What is the Research in Africa Showcase?

The Research in Africa showcase is a platform for celebrating and amplifying African contributions to AI and machine learning. They aim to:

  • Spotlight African Research and Innovation: Highlighting impactful new and on-going research, datasets, applications, and initiatives in AI across the continent.
  • Facilitate Collaboration: Building connections between researchers, start-ups, sponsors, and communities.
  • Inspire and Empower: Showcasing success stories of research and innovation

The sessions are designed to blend learning, sharing, and networking, offering something valuable for everyone.

A breakdown of the sessions

Here is what you can expect during the Research in Africa Showcase which will be on Tuesday 19 August – Wednesday 20 August 2025, with each session focusing on a different aspect of African AI and Machine Learning:

  • IndabaX spotlight talks: Each year, IndabaX events are held across Africa, fostering local AI communities and empowering researchers in their own regions. The IndabaX Spotlight Talks which are given by a representative from each country (usually poster winners at local events), highlight key research and success stories from these localised events, how IndabaX has fostered growth and innovation in specific countries, and opportunities to learn from and collaborate. These talks are a testament to the power of grassroots AI initiatives in building a vibrant, connected African AI ecosystem.
  • Poster sessions: Posters are a cornerstone of the Research in Africa Days, providing an interactive and visual way to share ideas. 

This year, we have three distinct poster categories:

  • IndabaX Posters: Featuring projects and initiatives from local IndabaX events across the continent. 
  • Publications Posters: Highlighting work that has been submitted as short papers through the publications stream.
  • General Posters: Open to all researchers across Africa, showcasing a diverse range of topics in AI and machine learning.
  • African datasets: Africa’s challenges are unique, and so are its opportunities. The African Datasets session focuses on datasets created in Africa, for Africa. This is an exciting space to learn about new datasets addressing a range of disciplines and topics, discuss the challenges and opportunities of collecting and curating data in an African context, and explore collaborations to scale or build upon existing datasets. This session underscores the importance of data that reflects African realities, empowering researchers to create impactful AI solutions.
  • African startups: The African startups session showcases innovative companies leveraging AI to address challenges and drive economic growth across the continent. The session will include founders and teams solving real-world problems in the African context, companies at the intersection of AI and social impact, and visionaries redefining the role of technology in Africa’s future. This session is a must for anyone interested in the intersection of AI and entrepreneurship in Africa.
  • Publications presentations: This session features in-depth presentations of selected short papers submitted through publications, from African researchers. These talks provide a platform for sharing cutting-edge research, discussing methodologies, findings, and their applications, and inspiring attendees to strive for publication in top-tier conferences and journals.

Why take part?

The Research in Africa Showcase is more than just sessions—they are a celebration of African excellence, collaboration, and innovation in AI. You will gain insights into the work that is shaping Africa’s AI future, hear stories of resilience and success, connect with like-minded researchers, mentors, and potential collaborators, and get ideas on how to take your own work to the next level. 

The fun does not stop there!

The Deep Learning Indaba Cultural Evening is a vibrant celebration of the diverse cultures of the attendees of joining us from across the African continent. This lively event showcases traditional music, dance, art, and cuisine from across the continent, creating a space for attendees to connect on a personal level beyond their shared academic and professional interests. It’s a unique opportunity to embrace the rich heritage, foster inclusivity, and build meaningful relationships while experiencing the dynamic spirit of Africa in a relaxed and festive atmosphere. Look out for the form to sign up to showcase your culture and join us for a fun evening of music, dance, and entertainment!

Join us and celebrate with us!

The Deep Learning Indaba 2025 and the Research in Africa Showcase are calling your name. Whether you’re presenting your work, learning from peers, or exploring the intersection of AI and Africa, there’s a place for you here. Let us together advance AI and machine learning on the African continent.

Stay tuned for the application details, call for posters, datasets, and startups, programme updates, and more. 

We can’t wait to see you in Rwanda! 🌟

Author: Lesego Makhafola, 

Chair: Research in Africa showcase 2025