The 2026 edition of the ICT for Africa Summit and Tech Innovation Challenge wrapped up on August 6, 2026, at ICT University, highlighting the extraordinary talents of young Cameroonian innovators.
The event honored outstanding participants from secondary schools and higher education institutions who presented working prototypes aimed at addressing critical socio-economic challenges. Highlighting solutions across health, education, finance, and agriculture, the summit showcased local technological capabilities tailored for both national and global application.
In the University category, the Agribot team from ICT University secured first prize, earning 1 million FCFA. Led by Noumbissi Yamdjeuson Stanley Derek, CEO of NYSD and president of the ICT Robotics Society, the team developed Agribot, a poly-sensor robot designed to reduce the high costs associated with placing fixed sensors on farms. Equipped with camera surveillance and AI analytics, the solution was inspired by the team’s personal experiences growing up around farmers. The group plans to use their cash prize to fund flight tickets to Singapore, where they will participate in the global Slingshot competition.
In the Junior category, the first prize went to the VERT (Versatile Eco-Farming Robotic Technology) team from Bilingual Grammar School – BGS Molyko – Buea. Developed by Upper Sixth students Tendo Kately-Linsay and Princess Channel, VERT is a compact automated greenhouse that utilizes artificial intelligence and remote sensors to monitor farm conditions without requiring the farmer’s physical presence.
Tendo explained that the project was inspired by her teammate’s mother, a businesswoman who struggled to balance her business with farm management. The team plans to invest the award money into procuring additional sensors, enhancing camera connectivity, and refining their cost structure.
Commending the achievements of the young innovators, Professor Victor Mbarika, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of ICT University, pledged his unwavering support toward scaling VERT nationwide and internationally. He praised the creators as leaders who demonstrate that high-impact digital agriculture solutions can be successfully conceptualized and engineered within Africa.
Emphasizing the institution’s commitment to supporting homegrown talent, Professor Mbarika expressed confidence in the capacity of Cameroonian youth to transform the agricultural sector through research, innovation, and direct financial backing.
The competition involved rigorous selection processes overseen by a jury of industry experts, according to Chief Judge Felix Fomemgia. Out of dozens of entries, candidates were evaluated on six specific criteria: sector relevance, innovation and uniqueness, market fitness, feasibility of the working prototype, implementation readiness, and Q&A presentation performance. The broad spectrum of entries reflected the practical feasibility and technical depth demanded by the panel.
Jury member Dr. Ebelle Peter provided further insight into the scope of the contest, which evaluated 15 projects from high schools and 25 from universities across various regions of Cameroon, including the Far North, North, Northwest, Southwest, and Littoral. He noted that over the course of two days, judges assessed projects tailored to specific local and global needs. Highlighted examples included advanced technology capable of detecting and analyzing flame movements, a domain where local inventions match or exceed international standards.
Ultimately, the 2026 ICT for Africa Summit demonstrated that Cameroonian students are actively creating forward-thinking technological solutions rather than relying solely on external innovations. By connecting youth-led prototypes with financial support, mentorship, and international competition pathways, the summit reaffirmed Cameroon’s position as a growing hub for technology and digital transformation in Africa.
