Founders and developers are set to tap artificial intelligence for business growth at the AI in Action Now 2026 conference, scheduled for January 22 in Lagos, as they position the event as a platform for practical innovation and scalable deployment across Africa.
The event, to be held at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, will focus on real-world deployment rather than speculative discussions around artificial intelligence.
In a statement issued in Lagos, Debola Ibiyode, chief executive officer of Carbon AI and convener of the conference, said the initiative is designed to move beyond industry hype and channel innovation into areas that directly improve productivity and long-term sustainability.
“AI in Action 2026 is designed as a high-impact platform where deep-tech innovation meets real-world application. The focus is on how Large Language Models, agentic AI frameworks and generative AI can be harnessed to power Africa’s transformation,” Ibiyode said.
According to Ibiyode, the conference theme: ‘Driving Productivity, Innovation, and Sustainability: Building the Future in AI Together’, reflects growing pressure on African economies to deploy technology that delivers tangible value across sectors, from education and finance to infrastructure and public services.
The programme will feature keynote addresses and panel sessions examining advances in generative AI and agentic systems, alongside their implications for sustainable development. Practical workshops will offer hands-on sessions on building, deploying and scaling AI tools, while a startup and product showcase will highlight African-built solutions aimed at local and regional challenges.
The event will also include mentorship and networking sessions intended to connect early-stage founders with experienced practitioners and industry leaders, as Africa’s AI ecosystem matures and seeks pathways from experimentation to commercialisation.
The convener said the conference is targeting a broad mix of participants, including software engineers, data scientists, educators, business executives, policymakers and ICT infrastructure providers such as data centre operators, reflecting the interconnected nature of AI deployment.
Ibiyode said the goal is to ensure that Africa’s AI adoption is inclusive and responsible, with clear social and economic impact. “We are not chasing hype or funding; we are chasing real impact,” she said, adding that the platform is aimed at founders and builders ready to move from ideas to deployable solutions.
The company is also offering tiered sponsorship packages for organisations seeking exposure to decision-makers and emerging AI talent, as competition intensifies to shape Africa’s fast-evolving digital economy.
“Africa’s digital revolution must be homegrown. This is about building the future of AI together, not just talking about it,” Ibiyode said.
