Build Innovation Expo Invites African AI Innovators to Showcase Solutions

The Build Innovation Expo, part of the upcoming Build 2026 conference, has opened its call for African AI startups, developers, and research teams to showcase their AI-powered products and solutions. The expo aims to connect innovators with investors, potential customers, partners, and policymakers across Africa’s AI ecosystem.

Hosted by the Nigeria AI Collective under the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Build 2026 focuses on strengthening Africa's AI infrastructure and compute capabilities. The Innovation Expo serves as a dedicated platform within this larger conference to highlight practical AI solutions emerging from the continent.

About the Build Innovation Expo

The Build Innovation Expo provides a venue for African innovators to present their work to a diverse audience. It is designed to facilitate connections that can help early-stage and growing products gain visibility, secure funding, and find collaboration opportunities.

Innovators can use the expo to demonstrate prototypes, minimum viable products (MVPs), or live solutions. The platform supports validating new products and scaling existing ones by opening discussions with key stakeholders.

Who Can Apply

The call is open to a range of innovators who have developed AI-powered products or solutions beyond the conceptual stage. This includes AI startups, product companies, independent developers, research teams, students, and early-stage founders.

While significant revenue or a large customer base is not a requirement, applicants must demonstrate a tangible product, prototype, or proof of concept. Submissions based solely on ideas or concepts without a demonstrable solution will not be considered.

Key Eligibility: Innovators must have a demonstrable AI-powered product, prototype, MVP, or solution. Concepts or ideas alone are not eligible for the showcase.

Opportunities for Innovators

Selected innovators at the Build Innovation Expo will have several opportunities. These include pitching their solutions on the main Build stage to ecosystem leaders and decision-makers, and conducting live product demonstrations at the Build AI Garage.

Participants can also compete for cash prizes and compute support. Furthermore, their innovations will be featured in the Build Innovation Catalogue, extending their visibility beyond the conference itself. The expo also offers networking opportunities with investors, buyers, corporate partners, and government representatives.

Why It Matters

The Build Innovation Expo aims to address real African challenges through practical AI solutions. By connecting innovators with the resources and networks they need, the program seeks to accelerate the testing, improvement, and scaling of African-led AI technologies.

This initiative aligns with Build 2026's broader goal of fostering a robust AI ecosystem in Africa, strengthening digital sovereignty, and driving economic growth through technological innovation.

How to Get Involved

Innovators interested in showcasing their work should submit their applications through the official platform. The application process involves detailing the problem addressed by the innovation, how the solution works, its current product stage, and any existing traction or validation.

Applications will be reviewed by the Build programme team, and selected innovators will be contacted with further details on showcase opportunities. More information and the application portal can be found on the Build Innovation Expo website.