AfriLabs Annual Gathering 2026 -Cotonou

The 11th AfriLabs Annual Gathering (AAG 2026) brings Africa’s innovation ecosystem together in Cotonou, Benin Republic, from 18–20 November 2026.
This year’s Gathering will bring together more than 1,200 innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, researchers, corporates, development partners and ecosystem leaders from Africa and beyond.

AAG is AfriLabs’ flagship global convening and a leading platform for dialogue, collaboration and knowledge exchange across Africa’s innovation ecosystem. Over the years, the Gathering has become a launchpad for strategic partnerships and investment, high-level policy conversations, innovation showcases, masterclasses, technical labs, sector-focused discussions and experiences celebrating African creativity and talent.

Why Benin Republic?Benin is emerging as an important hub for digital innovation, entrepreneurship and technology-driven economic transformation in West Africa. Its investments in digital infrastructure, skills development, innovation and digital governance are creating new opportunities for startups, innovators and investors.
Cotonou, the country’s commercial and economic capital, offers a vibrant environment for entrepreneurship, trade and innovation, with a growing community of startups, hubs, technology companies, universities and development partners.
Bringing AAG to Benin is more than a change of location. It is an opportunity to spotlight the country’s growing role in Africa’s digital future while creating new connections, investment opportunities and partnerships across Francophone and Anglophone Africa.