Benin launches the National AI Olympiad to select the talents who will represent the country in Kazakhstan

On 27 June, 150 young Beninese are taking part in the first edition of the National AI Olympiad (NOAI), an initiative led by the Government of Benin to identify, train and support the country's best talents with a view to their participation in the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI 2026), to be held in Astana, Kazakhstan, from 2 to 8 August 2026.

Organised by the Ministry of Digital Transformation and Innovation (MTDI), the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MESRS), the Ministry of Secondary, Technical and Vocational Education (MESTFP) and the Sèmè City Development Agency (ADSC), the Olympiad is the main national mechanism for identifying and preparing young Beninese talent in artificial intelligence.

Investing today in the talents who will build tomorrow's digital economy

Artificial intelligence is already transforming economies, professions and education systems. In response to these changes, Benin has made the development of advanced digital skills a national priority through the National Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Strategy (SNIAM 2023-2027).

The National AI Olympiad is part of this ambition: to identify, train and support the best young Beninese talents in order to prepare a new generation capable of contributing to the country's technological development.

A national competition in the service of excellence

At the end of this first selection phase, 16 prize-winners will be chosen to continue the adventure. They will receive enhanced support including:

• specialised learning kits;

• an intensive preparation programme;

• a bootcamp dedicated to technical skills, problem-solving, scientific English and teamwork;

• supervision by experts and mentors.

At the end of this programme, 8 young people will form the national team that will represent Benin at the 2026 International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence in Kazakhstan.

After a noteworthy first participation, Benin confirms its ambition

Benin's first participation in the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence in 2025 demonstrated the exceptional potential of Beninese youth.

In its very first participation, the country ranked 30th out of 78 teams representing 62 nations. Benin was also one of only two African countries to obtain an individual distinction, thanks to the honourable mention awarded to Merveille AGBOSSAGA. These results confirmed the ability of young Beninese to compete with the best international talent in a discipline regarded as strategic for the future of nations.

The 2026 National Olympiad thus marks a new stage in the Government's determination to make Benin an African benchmark for education, training and skills development in artificial intelligence.

“Our ambition is clear: to make Benin an African benchmark for artificial intelligence education”Mahuna AKPLOGAN, Minister of Digital Transformation and Innovation, in charge of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy

About the National AI Olympiad

The National AI Olympiad is the main national mechanism for identifying, training and preparing young Beninese talent in artificial intelligence. It is organised by the Government of Benin through the MTDI, the MESRS, the MESTFP and the Sèmè City Development Agency in order to prepare Benin's participation in the International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence.