At the opening ceremony of the first African Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (AOAI), Elena Marinova, Co-founder and Chair of the IOAI Board, delivered a keynote address highlighting the growing role of Africa in the global AI ecosystem.

Her speech focused on expanding participation, unlocking the continent’s potential, and the importance of empowering the next generation of AI talent.

Ladies and gentlemen, Dear students, leaders, and friends,

Today, we are not just opening an Olympiad. We are opening a new chapter for Africa—and for the world. I have been dreaming of, working toward, and awaiting this moment since my first conversations about an African OAI in late 2024 in Rwanda. Today, I am honored to be at the opening ceremony and to personally support the AOAI in making it free for all online participants.

The United Nations has 193 member states. 54 of them are in Africa. That is 28% of all countries on Earth. When we look to the future: today, 19% of the world’s youth (aged 15–24) live in Africa, and it is estimated that 40% of the world’s children (under 18) will live in Africa by 2050. These are the minds that will shape our tomorrow.

And yet, historically, in the International Scientific Olympiads this reality hasn’t been reflected. In the International Mathematical Olympiad—the oldest and largest science Olympiad—over more than six decades (66 years to be precise) only 25 African countries have ever participated, on and off. That is just 17–18% of all-time participants—out of 135–145 countries (including now non-existent ones). At the most recent edition, IMO 2025, 11 out of 110 countries were African—just 10%. The picture is not much better when we look across all International Science Olympiads.

This can be seen as criticism. Or as acceptance of the status quo. And yes—I have heard that many times: “It is what it is.” But it can also be something else. I believe it is becoming something different – a motivation that ignites ambition, that awakens confidence, that breaks barriers, and inspires the creation of AI for the good of Africa and the world.

Change is already happening. In the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence – IOAI, a very young Olympiad, just like the African population—participation is accelerating:

And today: 126 countries are accredited globally, 37 from Africa — 29%. That is exactly what it should be.

And today, we take the next big step. The first African Olympiad in AI begins with a record number of participating countries, including guests. I would like to acknowledge the people who made this possible:

The African Board, chaired by Grace Muthoni Kaimburi from Kenya together with Mahuna Akplogan from Benin, and Irakoze Ntawigenga Kelly from Rwanda, who also chairs the African Scientific Committee—thank you to all members of the ASC! Hatem Slimane, leading the hosting of this very first AOAI, and his entire team of scientists and organizers here in Tunisia. Lee Chana from South Africa and Joel Lee from Rwanda, with whom we supported the elections of the first African Board and its work toward its main goal—the first AOAI. And the entire African AI Olympiad community. Thank you. You are pioneers. You are making history. You are placing your continent where it belongs—on the global map of International Science Olympiads.

Dear students, This is all for you. You represent a continent that holds over a quarter of the world’s nations, and soon, nearly half of its youth. This is immense potential. And you are the ones revealing its strength. You are showing the world that Africa is not only part of the future of AI—it is essential to it.

Enjoy AOAI, and I look forward to meeting many of you at IOAI 2026.

And as a final word after the final – did you guess which was the only African country participating in the 1st IOAI? – Tunisia