The 18th African Conference on Research in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics (CARI 2026) began on 22 October 2026 in Cotonou, Benin. This international gathering is scheduled to last for four days. Janvier Yahouédéou, Minister of Decentralization and Local Governance, opened the event by addressing the potential for regional partnerships. "Je souhaite donc que cette 18ᵉ édition de la conférence CARI soit non seulement un moment de partage scientifique, mais également le point de départ de nouvelles collaborations entre la recherche et les collectivités territoriales africaines," said Janvier Yahouédéou. Participants at the conference aim to examine developments in applied mathematics and computer science throughout the continent.
Conference Objectives and Theme
The Institut de formation et de recherche en informatique (IFRI) organizes this event, which receives institutional support from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Organizers defined the theme of the 2026 edition as 'Mathématiques et informatique appliquées : des solutions innovantes pour construire l’Afrique de demain'.
Délégation ministérielle encouraged student participation in these fields during the proceedings. "Les mathématiques ne sont pas difficiles. Mettez le paquet là. Filles comme garçons, nous vous exhortons à privilégier les mathématiques et, en général, les matières scientifiques," the delegation stated. This focus aims to direct academic attention toward the application of computational and mathematical methods in the local context. The conference serves as a platform to align these scientific disciplines with the development goals identified for the continent.
Youth Engagement in Technology
Sèdami Medegan Fagla reported that 150 young people participated in the National Artificial Intelligence Olympiads held in June 2026. This initiative sought to identify and promote talent in the field of advanced computing among the youth of Bénin.
Following the conclusion of these national trials, eight young participants from the National Artificial Intelligence Olympiads represented Bénin at a competition in Astana. Armel TOGNON noted the significance of these international experiences for local students seeking to improve their technical expertise. These efforts reflect a broader push to integrate younger demographics into the scientific community through competitive engagement in emerging technologies. The participation of these students in Astana provided an opportunity to measure local skill levels against international standards in artificial intelligence. Organizers intend for these activities to build a foundation for future academic and professional pursuits within the regional technology sector.
