The future of AI is in Africa. The market is here. The people are here. Three days in Nairobi where founders, ministers, multinationals and multilaterals draft what enters that market — on Africa's terms.
1.4 billion people, the youngest median age on the planet, the fastest-growing connected population on Earth — and an AI stack still to be built. For two decades, the global AI conversation has happened about the developing world. At the UN Office in Nairobi, it happens from it.
Compute, data, and models that stay in-country — cooperation that strengthens rather than bypasses national capacity.
2,000+ languages are not edge cases. They are the case. AI built for the continent must reflect its diversity.
Working code, deployed services, measured outcomes. Not another set of principles — results.
Long-horizon capital for long-horizon problems. The room where private capital, founders, ministers and multilateral mandates meet.
The UN's only headquarters in the Global South. AIFOD 2027 convenes at the United Nations Office at Nairobi — the largest UN compound on Earth. All plenaries and working sessions take place at the UNON Gigiri campus, with the closing reception at the National Museums of Kenya.
The 6th AIFOD Summit is the working room where founders, multinationals, ministers and multilateral leaders draft what enters the African AI market — together.
Apply on af.net/nairobi with your background and interest statement. Deadline: 9 February 2027.
Applications reviewed on a rolling basis. Decisions within 10 days.
Selected delegates receive their credentials and venue access details for UNON Gigiri.
Delegates from government, multilateral agencies, and civil society attend at no cost.
Yes. AIFOD is a non-aligned convening. Delegates from government, multilateral agencies, and civil society attend at no cost. Builders and private-sector applicants are evaluated on contribution to the agenda — not ability to pay.
All plenaries and working sessions take place at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), Gigiri Campus — the UN's only headquarters in the Global South. The closing reception is at the National Museums of Kenya on Museum Hill.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis by the AIFOD committee. Decisions are communicated within 10 days. Priority is given to AIFOD members, but all applicants are considered.
Applications close on 9 February 2027. Early application is recommended due to high demand and limited capacity at UNON.
AIFOD — the AI for Developing Countries Forum — is an independent, non-aligned organisation with 7,200+ members in 150+ countries. AIFOD works with governments, multilateral bodies, the African Union and the private sector; it is owned by none of them.
