By: Van
Soul Addey
Benin has launched the 18th
edition of the African Conference on Research in Computer Science and Applied
Mathematics (CARI 2026), with Higher Education and Scientific Research Minister
Dr Sèdami Medegan Fagla calling for stronger scientific research and innovation
to support Africa’s development.
The conference was
officially launched on Thursday, October 22, 2026, under the theme “Applied mathematics
and computer science: innovative solutions to build the Africa of tomorrow.” It
is scheduled to run until October 24, bringing together researchers,
teacher-researchers, doctoral students and experts from Africa and beyond.
In her opening speech,
Medegan Fagla highlighted the strategic role of scientific research in
transforming African societies, stressing that the continent must move beyond
keeping pace with the digital revolution to participating fully in its design
and the development of solutions suited to its needs.
“Africa's future will not
only be built on the technologies it adopts, but on the knowledge it produces,
the talent it reveals and the solutions it invents,” she said.
The launch ceremony was
attended by Minister of Decentralization and Local Governance Janvier
Yahouedeou, a computer science doctor and artificial intelligence specialist,
alongside members of the scientific community.
Medegan Fagla said the
government of Benin, under the leadership of President Romuald Wadagni, intended
to make science, technology and innovation essential drivers of development.
She noted that this ambition was already reflected in initiatives being
implemented across various sectors.
The minister also urged the
scientific community to sustain its research efforts, strengthen collaboration
between African and international researchers, and make scientific findings
more useful for public decision-making and national development.
CARI 2026 continues through
October 24 with scientific panels, presentations and exchange sessions
examining advances in computer science, applied mathematics and their multiple
fields of application.
