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Conference Overview

The African Data Science Conference 2026 (ADSC 2026) is a flagship continental forum advancing research, innovation, and practice in data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, statistics, and analytics, with strong emphasis on African contexts, challenges, and opportunities. The conference's theme is African Data Science, for Africa.

Hosted by the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits University), ADSC 2026 convenes researchers, industry practitioners, policymakers, and postgraduate scholars from across Africa and beyond, fostering rigorous scientific exchange and interdisciplinary collaboration bridging theory, application, and policy.

Conference Themes (but not limited to...)

Foundations of Data Science, Applied Statistics, and Machine Learning.
Artificial Intelligence for Data Science: Large Language Models, Interpretable ML, Responsible AI, Innovative Applications and Pipelines.
Geospatial, Remote Sensing, and Environmental Data Science for Africa.
Applied Data Science in Health, Finance, Climate, Energy, etc.
Interdisciplinary Data Science and AI Paradigms (incl. AI Ethics, AI Safety, the Economics of AI & Quantum Data Science, Data Science in Policy and AI Governance for Sustainable Development).
Capacity Building, Data Science Education, Curriculum Design, and Pedagogy.
Open Data, Research Infrastructure, and Data Governance in Africa
Business Data Analytics, Digital Business Strategy and the 4IR.

Submission Categories

Full Papers: Original and completed research contributions. Accepted full papers will be presented orally and considered for inclusion in the official conference proceedings.

Extended Abstracts: Abstract-only submissions for oral presentation, suitable for emerging work, applied studies, and policy or industry-facing contributions.

Posters: Visual research presentations, particularly suitable for Honours students, early stage Master’s candidates, and work-in-progress.
Industry & Applied Innovation: A dedicated session of AI, ML & Data Science Innovation and Industry Lightning Talks, featuring short, high-impact presentations focused on applied solutions, prototypes, and near-production systems.

All full paper submissions to ADSC 2026 will undergo a rigorous double-blind peer review process overseen by the Scientific Committee to ensure academic quality and relevance.

Accepted full papers will be considered for inclusion in the official conference proceedings. Extended abstracts and poster submissions will be reviewed for relevance, clarity, and alignment with the conference themes.

N.B. Registration is now open

Early Bird – Before 1 May 2026 (excluding Gala Dinner)

Early Bird Standard: R5,500
Early Bird Student: R4,500

Regular – From 1 May 2026 onwards (excluding Gala Dinner)

Regular Standard: R6,000
Regular Student: R5,000

Industry / Corporate Delegate

R7,900 (includes Gala Dinner, priority seating, networking access, and related benefits)

Optional Add-Ons

Gala Dinner: R1,200
Workshops: R1,500 each

To register for ADSC 2026, delegates should visit the EasyChair conference registration page at:
https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=adsc2026

Once on the page, delegates should follow these steps:

Log in to their EasyChair account. If they do not yet have an EasyChair account, they will first need to create one.
Select ADSC 2026 from the list of available conferences (if not already on the ADSC EasyChair conference page).
Choose the appropriate registration category, namely Early Bird Standard, Early Bird Student, Regular Standard, Regular Student, or Industry / Corporate Delegate.
Select any optional add-ons, including the Gala Dinner and/or Workshops, where applicable.
Complete the required registration details and submit the registration form.
Follow the payment instructions provided through the EasyChair system in order to finalise registration.

N.B. Student delegates may be required to provide proof of student status where applicable.

Professor Inger Fabris-Rotelli (University of Pretoria);
Dr Farai Mlambo (Wits);
Dr Taariq Surtee (Wits);
Professor Innocent Maposa (Stellenbosch University);
Dr Isaac Nyambiya (Great Zimbabwe University);
Dr Sunday Oladejo (Stellenbosch University);
Dr Humphery Brydon (University of the Western Cape);
Dr Peter Olukanmi (University of Johannesburg);
Dr Nomalanga Mashinini (Wits);
Dr Louise De Koker (Nelson Mandela University);
Professor James Cochran (The University of Alabama);
Dr Moses Phiri (NIQ Company);
Dr Ndivhuwo Makondo (IBM Research, Africa)
Prof. David Mhlanga (North-West University)

Publication Opportunity

In addition to the conference proceedings outlet, ADSC 2026 is supporting the following publication pathway. Selected high-quality full papers presented at the conference will be invited for consideration for publication in an edited volume titled “Statistics/ML/AI in Action for Sustainable Development.”

The book is expected to be published by Springer in mid-2027 as part of the ICSA Book Series in Statistics.

About the Book:

Statistical modelling, machine learning (ML), and artificial intelligence (AI) are increasingly essential for generating actionable evidence to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To promote research and real-world innovation at the intersection of Statistics, ML, AI, and sustainable development, this interdisciplinary volume welcomes contributions from research and applications across fields including statistics, epidemiology, engineering, health and medicine, economics, the natural and social sciences, agriculture, and environmental sciences. Contributions should be grounded in statistical, ML, or AI methodologies and clearly demonstrate an application to one or more SDGs.

Book Editors:

Prof. Najmeh Nakhaeirad, University of Pretoria, South Africa
Prof. Ding-Geng Chen, University of Pretoria, South Africa & Arizona State University, Phoenix, USA

Postgraduate & Early-Career Engagement

Dedicated poster (good for improving your work).
Postgraduate research recognition awards (corporate sponsorships are welcome).
Professional involvement in conference operations (contact the conference or organising committee chair if interested).

Conference Overview

Scientific Committee Chair:

Conference Chair:

Organising Committee:

Fundraising, Donations and Sponsorships: