World Robot Olympiad expands across Africa, engaging 40,000 young people and boosting STEM skills through robotics and innovation

World Robot Olympiad is deepening its presence across Africa, growing from just five participating countries in 2020 to fourteen this year, with more than 40,000 young people taking part in its 2025 season.

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In a statement, organisers said over 2,000 teachers have been trained across the continent with support from Google, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and WRO’s global network of educators and industry collaborators.

The initiative aims to equip African youths with essential skills in coding, engineering and artificial intelligence, preparing them for future careers in technology and innovation.

Each year, the Olympiad challenges students to design and build robots that tackle real-world problems.

This season’s theme, “The Future of Robots,” has inspired a wave of bootcamps and workshops in schools, reaching underserved and special needs communities across the continent.

National champions from each country will compete at the WRO International Final in Singapore this November, joining teams from more than ninety nations.

In Zimbabwe, Team FutureSight — winners of the National Senior Category Championship — developed an AI-powered voice assistant to help blind users navigate daily life.

The project is now being adapted into local languages to improve accessibility.

In South Africa, the story of Karabo Rithuri reflects the programme’s enduring impact.

Having joined WRO at thirteen, she represented her country at the international finals in Malaysia, later founded her own robotics club, and now serves as a WRO judge and mentor to students in township communities.

“WRO gave me a voice, and now I want to help make things even better for the next generation,” she said.

WRO Secretary General Claus Ditlev Christensen described the organisation’s growing footprint in Africa as a remarkable milestone.

“WRO’s expansion into Africa is an important step in our mission to inspire young people through robotics and STEM. We are proud to see African students not only building technical skills but also developing solutions that address real needs in their communities,” he said.

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With Africa’s rapidly expanding youth population, the World Robot Olympiad is emerging as a vital platform for cultivating innovation, empowering young problem-solvers, and strengthening the continent’s contribution to global technology development.