The 18th African Conference on Research in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics (CARI 2026) opened in Cotonou on Thursday, October 22, 2026, positioning scientific research, artificial intelligence, and applied mathematics as fundamental drivers of the continent’s long-term economic and social transformation.
Convened under the theme “Applied Mathematics and Computer Science: Innovative Solutions to Build the Africa of Tomorrow,” the four-day international symposium brings together researchers, doctoral candidates, and technology experts to align advanced scientific inquiry with practical African development priorities, ranging from local public service delivery to resource management and urban planning.
Officially launched by Benin’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Sèdami Medegan Fagla, alongside Minister of Decentralisation and Local Governance Janvier Yahouédéou, the event is organized by the Institute for Training and Research in Computer Science (IFRI). Institutional leaders emphasized that African nations must actively shape the global digital revolution rather than remaining passive tech consumers. To secure digital sovereignty, Minister Medegan Fagla outlined three core national action pillars: expanding specialized technical education for youth, providing institutional backing for African doctoral programs and research laboratories, and fortifying data security and cybersecurity infrastructure to manage the responsible rollout of artificial intelligence across the continent.
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