The 8th RD20 Conference will be held October 19‑23, 2026, in Pretoria, South Africa. Hosted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, the gathering aims to connect African innovators with worldwide research networks. Hosting this event underscores Africa’s growing role in global innovation and highlights local breakthroughs from biodiversity to clean tech.
Sessions will cover AI, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing. Experts from research labs, startups, and multinationals will discuss AI‑driven analytics for farming yields, blockchain for secure supply chains, and 5G’s impact on smart cities across Africa. The program features lightning talks on emerging AI startups improving healthcare access in remote regions.
Workshops and networking will pair local entrepreneurs with global investors, linking Silicon Savannah and international hubs. The RD20 Africa edition aims to accelerate tech transfer, attract funding, and inspire Africa’s next generation of tech leaders for sustainable growth.
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