2026
2025
December
Afretec Network Conference focuses on innovation and collaboration
Carnegie Mellon University Africa
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.
November
How CMU-Africa, UR's Bridge Program is boosting students' STEM expertise
The New Times
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.
October
OpenAI, UNILAG join forces to unlock Africa’s artificial intelligence potential
Ripples Nigeria
As part of the University of Lagos's 5th International Week, which has as its topic "Equitable Partnerships and the Future of AI in Africa," the university hosted Africa's first OpenAI Academy on October 16-17, 2025, in partnership with OpenAI.
The initiative is led by the university's Office of International Relations, Partnerships and Prospects, in collaboration with the African Engineering and Technology Network.
Afretec Network awards $2.3M in multi-institutional research grants
Carnegie Mellon University, College of Engineering
Each research team will build on existing science, engineering, and technology in disciplines such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, robotics, information technology, and cybersecurity. The selected projects are particularly focused on improving the state of health, environment and sustainability, and energy in Africa. Several projects will also address the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which were created with the goal of improving every aspect of human and environmental well-being.
September
University of Lagos boot camp introduces young girls to practical experience in technology
Olayinka Adewumi, who was one of the recipients of the Afretec Inclusion Champion Awards in March, has partnered with an innovation hub at the University of Lagos to launch a boot camp to introduce young girls to practical experience in technology. The boot camp, FemmeTech 2.0, is themed "Building a Future of Innovations" and has helped 48 girls from 12 schools in Lagos. The boot camp has been running since August, and the grand finale will be held on September 12, 2025.
Al Akhawayn University held an AI Summer School
Morocco World News
Al Akhawayn University, an Afretec member university, recently held the third edition of its AI Summer School, bringing together students, researchers, and professionals from five continents. This year's theme was "Responsible AI: Designing with Safety, Fairness, and Impact." From lectures and workshops, to a hackathon and presentations from professionals at Google DeepMind and Microsoft, the program focused on ways to use AI to serve society responsibly.
August
TechSkills Marketplace Program bridges students and startups
Carnegie Mellon University Africa
By connecting students and startups through immersive internships, the TechSkills Marketplace Program by the Innovation Hub gives students the hands-on experience they need as the next generation of entrepreneurs and tech leaders.
June
UNILAG team wins Afretec-UNILAG Innovation-in-Health Challenge
University of Lagos
Launched in March 2025 and funded by the Afretec Network, the Innovation-in-Health Challenge finale was recently hosted at the University of Lagos College of Medicine. Out of 14 teams from universities across Nigeria, one emerged victorious: team Pharmacode from UNILAG. The Pharmacode team secured the top spot with its invention of Nutritec AI, an at-home saliva based mammaglobin test strip and app, which helps women aged 25–55 detect breast cancer risk.
Afretec Network machine learning workshop cultivates a new generation of AI leaders
University of Lagos
The University of Lagos, in partnership with the Afretec Network, held a three-day introduction to machine learning workshop this month. The workshop aimed to inspire and equip the next generation of African AI experts with the necessary skills needed to approach an ever evolving AI landscape. A total of 33 participants from institutions across the continent attended the workshop, where they brainstormed solutions to real-world problems and discussed applications of machine learning.
Visiting scholar presents research at University of Lagos through Afretec program
University of Lagos
University of Nairobi scholar Caroline Saina Ingati Jelagat's three-month research visit to the University of Lagos (UNILAG) recently came to an end with the final presentation of her project, "Strengthening Water Access and Quality in Selected African Cities." Jelagat was welcomed to UNILAG through an Afretec Network-funded initiative to boost the mobility of doctoral scholars and promote inter-institutional collaboration.
May
The University of Lagos kicked off the 2025 Doctoral Academy in partnership with the Afretec Network
University of Lagos
The University of Lagos (UNILAG) kicked off the 2025 Doctoral Academy in partnership with the Afretec Network this week. Doctoral scholars from across Nigeria and Afretec university partners were welcomed by UNILAG as the five-day program commenced in Lagos. Through the collaboration with Afretec, the initiative is looking to shape the next generation of researchers and transform doctoral training in Africa.
Workshop sessions spanned multiple topics including leadership, grant writing, ethics, and scholarly identity. Multiple addresses were given by key speakers, encouraging participants to be the research leaders who inspire change.
The Afretec Network welcomes ninth university partner
Carnegie Mellon University Africa
The African Engineering and Technology Network has signed its ninth university partner, Universidade Agostinho Neto. Located in the capital city of Luanda, Agostinho Neto University is Angola's oldest and largest public higher education institution.
"Membership in the Afretec Network provides Agostinho Neto University with a valuable platform to strengthen our international visibility, develop innovative academic and technological programs, and align with global best practices in higher education," said Pedro Magalhães, rector of Agostinho Neto University. "The cooperation model of the network is innovative and sustainable, with the potential to transform technological education and digital innovation—not only in Angola but across the African continent."
March
Afretec brings together institutions to discuss gender equality in STEM
University of the Witwatersrand
Afretec’s Inclusion Group hosted eight member institutions in Johannesburg in February at a summit on gender equality in STEM academics. They aimed to develop plans to support better gender parity in the sciences. They also listened to a number of talks and engaged in many discussions, such as about initiatives increasing the number of girls pursuing STEM subjects in school and from participants discussing challenges that they have faced and how they have overcome them.
Afretec researchers share progress on AI and renewable energy research
University of Lagos
CMU-Africa's Sarath Tennakoon and University of Nairobi's Siphila Wanjiku Mumenya visited the University of Lagos to share progress on Afretec research that investigates using AI to extract carbon from landfill waste in Africa for renewable energy.
Afretec presents research on AI and renewable energy
University of Lagos
Afretec members presented their ongoing research, titled "Application of AI Techniques for Extracting Carbon from Landfill Waste for Renewable Energy," at a World Recycling Day event at the Olusosun Landfill in Ojota, Lagos.
University of Rwanda hosts workshop
The New Times
The University of Rwanda, through the Afretec Network, hosted a two-day inter-university workshop focused on promoting inclusive digital transformation through joint research efforts.
The Afretec Network celebrates its Inclusion Champion Awards
Congratulations to the 2025 winners of the Afretec Network Inclusion Champion Awards:
- Olayinia Adewunmi, University of Lagos
- Eunice Nyamupangedengu, University of the Witwatersrand
- CMU-Africa's Women in Tech Club, represented by Delphine Nyaboke
- Batamuliza Jennifer, University of Rwanda
- Aminata Fall Niang, Université Cheikh Anta Diop
January
The Afretec Network annual conference featured in the New Times
The New Times
The Afretec Network annual conference took place in Kigali on January 20-21, bringing together university leaders, organizations, and technology innovators from across the continent to explore the theme "Inclusive Digital Growth through Collaboration".
The event, attended by key figures, including Rwanda's Minister of Education, provided a platform to deepen partnerships, share successful case studies, and develop actionable strategies aimed at ensuring digital advancements benefit all segments of society, especially marginalized communities.
Faculty Enrichment Workshop Held at AUC
University of the Witwatersrand
The workshop took place from January 27- 28, 2025 at the American University of Cairo (AUC) in Cairo, Egypt, and focused on curriculum transformation and pedagogical strategies.