• Producing locally relevant innovations and globally competitive tech talent

  • Developing a digital knowledge creation ecosystem

  • Fostering a startup technology ecosystem across Africa

Hear from student researchers working together across the network

Collaborative research

Building research capacity

Afretec Network awards $2.3M in research grants

Each multi-institutional team will build on science, engineering, and technology in disciplines such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, information technology, and cybersecurity. The projects are particularly focused on improving the state of health, environment and sustainability, and energy in Africa. Learn more

Seminars & Events

News mentions


University of Lagos

UNILAG secures top honors at innovation summit

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) demonstrated its leadership in African innovation by securing top honors at the 2026 Pathways to Opportunities Summit in Kigali, Rwanda, hosted by CMU-Africa’s Innovation Hub.

University of the Witwatersrand

Wits students win Afretec makerthon

Postgraduate students from the University of Witwatersrand won the bronze prize at the AFRETEC Makerthon designed to bring together young minds and create entrepreneurial solutions. In addition the student have been invited to join Carnegie Mellon University Africa’s Innovation Hub Business Incubation Program.

Carnegie Mellon University Africa

Afretec Network Conference focuses on innovation and collaboration

Innovation and collaboration were the focus of the annual conference of the African Engineering Technology Network held from October 20-October 22, 2025, in Dakar, Senegal. The event was hosted by Université Cheikh Anta Diop.

The New Times

How CMU-Africa, UR's Bridge Program is boosting students' STEM expertise

Carnegie Mellon University Africa and the University of Rwanda have launched a bridge program to equip undergraduate students with practical STEM and communication skills, aiming to enhance employability and work readiness.