EAC and Germany launch second AI4EAC challenge

The East African Community and Germany have launched the second edition of the EAC Artificial Intelligence Challenge, known as AI4EAC, to expand AI training and applied innovation across all EAC Partner States. The programme aims to reach 20,000 East Africans, including students, researchers and entrepreneurs, and offers USD 50,000 in prize funding for teams developing AI-powered solutions to regional challenges.

New strategic partners Equity Group Holdings and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology will support collaboration in AI research, digital skills development and innovation. The challenge will also introduce a dedicated Ebola Response Challenge focused on AI models for disease outbreak detection, preparedness and response, reflecting a broader push to strengthen public health systems and regional resilience.

The launch followed a high-level AI Roundtable at EAC Headquarters in Arusha involving regional institutions, German government representatives, development partners, academia and private-sector participants. Germany’s BMZ said the alliance is intended to address uneven AI capacity in East Africa through practical skills, applied research and policy shaped by regional needs.

The inaugural AI4EAC Innovation Challenge, held in 2025 and delivered by Zindi with IUCEA, EASTECO, GIZ, UNESCO Campus Africa and JICA, engaged 3,891 participants from 57 universities across EAC Partner States. The EAC AI Alliance is continuing work on university teaching and research, digital skills gaps and a harmonised, gender-responsive regional AI policy framework.