Digital technology and artificial intelligence for sustainable development in Africa takes centre stage at AUR conference 2026

Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)

Press Release

Kempton Park, Monday, 23 February 2026 — The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) is hosting the 10th Africa Unity for Renaissance Conference (AURC) on 24 February 2026 at Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, Johannesburg.

Theme: “Harnessing Digital Technology and Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development in Africa”

The conference will explore digital technology and AI’s potential to drive sustainable development, economic growth, and peace and security in Africa, focusing on six sub-themes:

· Digital transformation and Agenda 2063

· Infrastructure gaps and connectivity challenges

· Institutions, governance, and policy landscape

· Digital transformation for peace and security

· AI for Sustainable Development Goals

· Digital technology and the future of work

The revamped AURC will also feature carefully selected presenters from various regions of Africa and the diaspora including Namibia, Lesotho, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda and the United States of America.

The conference aims to provide a platform for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to engage with policies from an African Union perspective, contributing to policy evaluation, recommendations, and learning.

Click here to view the programme.

Details of the event

Date: 24 February 2026

Time: 8h30–18h00 SAST

Venue: Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, Johannesburg

Link: https://youtube.com/live/XN-VweBew5w?feature=share

For media enquiries, please contact Adziliwi Nematandani: Cell: +27 82 765 9191 Email:

Join the conversation:

#AURC #Agenda2063 #AI #ScienceDiplomacy

Notes to the editor

About the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)

The HSRC was established in 1968 as South Africa’s statutory research agency and has grown to become the largest dedicated research institute in the social sciences and humanities on the African continent, doing cutting-edge public research in areas that are crucial to development.

Our mandate is to inform the effective formulation and monitoring of government policy; to evaluate policy implementation; to stimulate public debate through the effective dissemination of research-based data and fact-based research results; to foster research collaboration; and to help build research capacity and infrastructure for the human sciences.

The Council conducts large-scale, policy-relevant, social-scientific research for public sector users, non-governmental organisations and international development agencies. Its research activities and structures are closely aligned with South Africa’s national development priorities.

Join the conversation at:

www.hsrc.ac.za