Applications are now open for the Code for Africa AI Sandbox Seed Grant 2026, a funding opportunity for civil society groups exploring the practical application of artificial intelligence in civic and human rights work across Africa.
The initiative is part of the Digitalise Youth consortium, which is supporting organisations that want to experiment with AI tools to strengthen their operations and respond to challenges emerging in the digital public sphere.
Through the programme, five selected civil society organisations will receive seed funding of up to $3,000 to develop early-stage prototypes or minimum viable products that apply AI to real-world problems.
The projects are expected to address issues such as misinformation, disinformation, digital surveillance, hate speech, and broader protection for digital rights and freedom of expression.
The grant targets organisations based in the Sahel and neighbouring countries in West and East Africa, particularly groups already engaged in defending human rights or supporting civic participation.
Successful applicants will use the funding to build or refine AI-driven solutions that strengthen their missions and help them operate more safely within complex digital environments.
Participants in the sandbox will be expected to move beyond concept ideas and focus on building practical tools.
That includes prototyping solutions, improving existing systems with AI capabilities, testing them with users, and ensuring that the resulting tools comply with regional cybersecurity regulations and local cultural realities.
Programme organisers say priority will be given to organisations that demonstrate a clear record of community engagement and a strong commitment to the responsible and ethical use of AI.
Projects that place people at the centre of the design process and respond directly to challenges facing civic actors online will receive particular attention.
The application deadline for the AI Sandbox Seed Grant 2026 is Monday, March 30, 2026. Begin your application by completing the Airtable form.
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