The World Robot Olympiad is expanding fast across Africa, growing from 5 to 14 countries in five years.
Organizers say over 40,000 young people are joining the 2025 robotics season.
The World Robot Olympiad (WRO), one of the leading global robotics contests, is rapidly expanding its reach in Africa, increasing from 5 participating countries in 2020 to 14 in 2025. Organizers said more than 40,000 young people are taking part in this year’s season.
In a statement, WRO revealed that over 2,000 teachers have been trained across the continent with the help of global partners such as Google, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and the organization’s network of educators and industry supporters.
The program aims to equip young Africans with essential skills in coding, engineering, and artificial intelligence to prepare them for future career opportunities.
Each year, students are tasked with designing and building robots that address real-life challenges. The 2025 theme, “The Future of Robots,” has inspired numerous bootcamps and workshops across Africa, including outreach to special needs and underserved communities.
National champions from each country will compete at the WRO International Final in Singapore this November, alongside teams from more than 90 nations.
In Zimbabwe, Team FutureSight won the national senior category with an AI-powered voice assistant created to help blind users navigate their environment. The tool is being adapted into local languages to improve accessibility.
In South Africa, 23-year-old Karabo Rithuri’s story reflects the competition’s wider impact. She first joined WRO at age 13, represented her country at the international finals in Malaysia, and later founded her own robotics club after the program was dropped in her school. Now a graduate in Finance and IT, she mentors students from township areas and serves as a WRO judge.
“WRO gave me a voice, and now I want to help make things even better for the next generation,” Rithuri said.
WRO Secretary-General Claus Ditlev Christensen described the expansion as a significant step in promoting STEM education across the continent.
“Our growth in Africa shows how young people are using robotics to solve real problems in their communities,” he stated.
With Africa’s youth population rising fast, WRO’s presence is being hailed as a major platform for building innovation, teamwork, and international collaboration.
