World Robot Olympiad expands in Africa

THE World Robot Olympiad (WRO), one of the world’s largest robotics competitions, has made major inroads across Africa, expanding from just five participating countries in 2020 to 14 this year.

- STAFF REPORTER

AS SOUTH Africa battles a shortage of STEM graduates, the World Robot Olympiad is giving young people a head start in coding, robotics, and AI. From local bootcamps to global finals in Singapore, African learners are proving that innovation can start anywhere.

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More than 40 000 young people are taking part in the 2025 season, supported by over 2 000 trained teachers and global partners including Google and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

The initiative is equipping a new generation of Africans with future-ready skills in coding, engineering and artificial intelligence (AI). Each year, WRO challenges students to design and build robots that solve real-world problems. This year’s theme, “The Future of Robots,” has inspired bootcamps and workshops across the continent, reaching hundreds of learners, including those from underserved and special needs communities.