DSFSI at Deep Learning Indaba 2025 🚀
What is the Deep Learning Indaba?
The Deep Learning Indaba is an organisation whose mission is to strengthen Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence in Africa. We work towards the goal of Africans being not only observers and receivers of the ongoing advances in AI, but active shapers and owners of these technological advances.
An indaba is a Zulu word for a gathering or meeting. Such meetings are held throughout southern Africa, serving to share news, discuss common issues, and give advice. There are related words in other African languages — imbizo (Xhosa), intlanganiso, lekgotla (Sesotho), baraza (Kiswahili), and padare (Shona). This spirit of coming together, of sharing and learning, is central to the Indaba’s identity.
The Indaba advances two principal aims:
Ensuring African participation and contribution in global AI research and applications.
Promoting diversity in the fields of machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Through its flagship annual Indaba, the IndabaX programme (country-level gatherings), and year-round initiatives such as mentorships, ideathons, and awards, the Indaba has become a cornerstone of Africa’s AI ecosystem.
This year’s annual gathering will be hosted in Kigali, Rwanda, from 17–22 August 2025, in partnership with the University of Rwanda.
👉 Learn more: Deep Learning Indaba 2025
DSFSI at Indaba 2025
We are excited to share that the Data Science for Social Impact (DSFSI) research group will be making multiple contributions at this year’s Indaba. Our team will be showcasing research, leading conversations, and helping shape the future of African AI across key themes.
Posters
Thapelo Sindane will present his poster “Injecting explicit cross-lingual embeddings into pre-trained multilingual models for code-switching detection”. His work explores how cross-lingual models can better capture the complexities of code-switching in African contexts.
Nontokozo Manukuza will present her poster “Teaching AI to Read Between the Lines: Interpreting isiZulu idiomatic expressions through retrieval-augmented fine-tuning”. This research addresses one of the hardest challenges in African NLP: idiomatic language.
Workshops
Thapelo is also part of the organising team for the Centring Data in African AI Workshop. The workshop will examine both technical and socio-technical aspects of African data, highlighting how ownership, context, and ethics shape AI for the continent.
Within the same workshop, Prof. Vukosi Marivate will join the closing panel, sharing insights on building resilient African data ecosystems.
Panels & Keynotes
Prof. Vukosi Marivate will also speak on the AI Policy in Africa Keynote Panel (Wednesday).
He will open the Voices of Africa 2: Building the Infrastructure for African NLP Workshop (Friday).
🌟 And that’s not all! Look out for further contributions from Dr Idris Abdulmumin, Dinorego Mphogo, Takura Wekwete, Seani Rananga, Dawit Shibabaw, and Fiskani Banda — plus much, much more from our team.
We’re proud to continue our mission of putting African languages, data, and innovation at the centre of AI.
👉 Read our full announcement here: DSFSI at Deep Learning Indaba 2025
Join the Virtual Indaba 🌐
Note, you can also join the Deep Learning Indaba virtually (50 USD ticket): Virtual Indaba Registration
The Virtual Indaba brings the spirit, learning, and community of the Indaba directly to you — wherever you are. Most sessions, including tutorials, keynotes, workshops, panels, and research talks, will be live-streamed and recorded.
Virtual participants will also be able to:
Join live Q&As with speakers
Network through virtual spaces and chat groups
Meet sponsors and partners through virtual booths
Download resources and receive a Certificate of Attendance
It’s the perfect way to be part of Africa’s biggest AI community if you cannot make it to Kigali.
✨ Stay tuned for updates as we share highlights from our team’s participation at Indaba 2025.