JOHANNESBURG — The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) emerged as the focal point of continental digital transformation last month, playing host to the inaugural African Data Science Conference (ADSC 2026). Held at the state-of-the-art Wits Science Stadium from 24 to 26 June 2026, the premier forum brought together leading academics, industry heavyweights, tech innovators, and policymakers. All gathered under a singular, powerful theme: “African Data Science, for Africa.”
The three-day conference officially kicked off with an illuminating keynote speech by Professor Benjamin Rosman, who detailed the exponential growth and shifting dynamics of machine learning on the continent. Rosman urged delegates to champion African-led solutions to local socio-economic hurdles. He noted that data infrastructure must align closely with regional realities rather than mimicking Western blueprints.
Adding weight to the opening day's deliberations, Professor Bhekinkosi Moyo took the stage to address the pressing demand for homegrown AI governance. As technologies rapidly infiltrate everyday African sectors, Moyo emphasized that ownership, transparency, and strict ethical accountability are non-negotiable safeguards required to protect African populations from data exploitation.