
The future is now, and the future is African AI.
STEMi Makers of Africa partnered with the Zambia National STEM Foundation in Lusaka, Zambia towards the National Robotics and Artificial Intelligence competition on the 27th of September 2024. This impact initiative recognized innovative initiatives and approaches that enhanced robotics learning outcomes and stands as a beacon of Zambia’s commitment to technological sovereignty, economic resilience, and global innovation leadership.
Over 15 Participant groups designed, built and programmed a robot that was aligned to:-Â
- Space Exploration
- Smart Cities and Infrastructure
- Healthcare and Wellness
- Manufacturing and 4th Industrial Revolution.
- Sustainability and Environment.


Whilst showcasing robotics application and coding, over 85 students gained more than just technical know-how, vital working-life and future skills, including but not limited to teamwork, problem-solving, project management, critical thinking, and information retrieval.  Â
The competition fostered free-software and hardware robotics, allowing unrestricted assembly and programming of the robots. This partnership was to promote inclusivity, enable learning in robotics and coding regardless of gender, socio-economic status, or academic ability and to encourage the use of recycled materials and environmentally friendly solutions, emphasizing the development of sustainable robots.Â
Benefits for the finalists were:
- STEMi Robotics microcontroller kits,
- Gold medals for all team members and their mentors,
- Pitching opportunity for the regional AI and Coding competition,
- Networking opportunities with potential partners,
- Opportunity to gain awareness through global media coverage.