In a significant push to harness artificial intelligence for societal benefit, Haitian innovation hub Banj has partnered with the Digicel Foundation to launch the ‘AI Challenge for Social Impact.’ This pioneering competition, which opened registration on February 25, 2026, invites tech professionals and students to develop AI-powered solutions addressing Haiti’s most pressing challenges.
The initiative offers substantial incentives, with a total innovation fund of up to 5 million gourdes (approximately $40,000 USD) for winning teams. The top prize includes 2 million gourdes plus a six-month incubation program, while additional prizes range from 500,000 to 1.5 million gourdes with matching incubation support.
Eligibility requirements emphasize both technical capability and social commitment. Teams must consist of 3-5 members including at least one woman and one AI specialist proficient in machine learning, data science, NLP, or computer vision. At least two members must reside in Haiti, though diaspora participation is encouraged, with solutions requiring co-creation with local communities.
The program structure encompasses four comprehensive pillars: business and strategic training covering AI impact modeling and investment strategy; hands-on technical workshops featuring collaborative debugging and AI architecture sessions; personalized mentoring with technical diagnostics and problem-solving sessions; and intensive pitch preparation culminating in a final presentation on June 6, 2026.
Target application areas reflect Haiti’s development priorities, including healthcare access, inclusive finance, agricultural modernization, educational technology, governance optimization, insurance accessibility, logistics efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
The competition timeline extends through December 2026, beginning with application acceptance until March 25, followed by pre-incubation training from April through May. The DevExpo 2026 finals in June will select five national winners who will then enter a six-month intensive mentoring program, with progress demonstrations scheduled for October 2026.
This initiative represents a strategic investment in Haiti’s digital economy, aiming to strengthen the innovation ecosystem while addressing critical social needs through technologically advanced solutions.