Foundations & Tools for AI-Powered Impact
Kick off SIMS26 with an opening keynote on how Africa is leading the way in AI-powered communications for social good. Then get hands-on: learn how to launch an AI-powered WhatsApp assistant in minutes to engage donors, volunteers, and sponsors, and discover how to use Canva to tell stronger stories and build better campaigns, reports, and donor communications. Hear from African founders in our AI for Good panel on how they are using AI tools for real social impact, join community spotlights, and watch the first winners of the Humanitarians of Africa Awards revealed throughout the day.
01
- OPENING KEYNOTE
AI-Powered Communications for Social Good, Africa’s Playbook for the World
Africa’s nonprofits are already using AI to reach more people and tell stronger stories. This opening keynote shares the playbook, real examples, and practical lessons that African organizations are offering to the world.
02
- TECHNICAL WORKSHOP
AI for Communications, How African NGOs Can Launch an AI-Powered WhatsApp Assistant in Minutes to Engage Donors, Volunteers, and Sponsors
Learn how to set up an AI assistant on WhatsApp that answers questions and keeps donors, volunteers, and sponsors engaged around the clock. You’ll see a live build and leave knowing how to launch your own.
Ayobami Akinlolu-Ojo
03
- PANEL DISCUSSION
AI for Good: Building AI Solutions for Good, How They Did It!
Hear directly from African founders who built AI-powered solutions for social impact. They share how they started, what went wrong, and what they’d do differently, with lessons you can apply to your own work.
04
- TECHNICAL WORKSHOP
AI for Storytelling, Leveraging Canva to strengthen storytelling, campaigns, reports, and donor communications
Discover how to use Canva’s AI tools to create campaigns, impact reports, and donor communications faster and with greater impact. You’ll also learn how to access Canva for Nonprofits for free.
Governance, Growth & Building What’s Next
Day 2 opens with the unveiling of early findings from our AI for African Nonprofits research, followed by a keynote on building AI governance frameworks that serve African communities. Then learn how to use AI for grant writing and how to grow with less using AI, automation, CRM, and data. Watch a live AI build challenge as a real solution is created in real time, hear about the Hexa AI-Powered Digital Fundraising for NGOs 2027 Cohort, and close with a conversation on the future of nonprofit marketing in Africa. The Humanitarians of Africa Awards winners will be announced throughout the day.
01
- CLOSING KEYNOTE
Africa's AI Future Belongs to Us, Building Governance Frameworks That Serve African Communities
As AI adoption grows, who sets the rules matters. This keynote explores how to build responsible, community-centered AI governance that protects people, respects local context, and keeps Africa in control of its AI future.
Doreen Abiero
Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, AI governance and digital policy expert
02
- TECHNICAL WORKSHOP
How African NGOs Can Leverage AI for Grant Writing.
Find funding opportunities and draft stronger proposals in less time. This hands-on session shows how to use AI across the grant process while keeping your organization’s voice and accuracy intact.
03
- TECHNICAL WORKSHOP
AI-Powered Nonprofit Growth: Doing More with Less.
See how AI, automation, CRM, and data can work together to boost fundraising, donor engagement, volunteer management, and program impact, even with a small team and a tight budget.
04
- TECHNICAL WORKSHOP
Live AI build challenge
Watch a real solution come to life in real time. In this live challenge, you learn about AI prompting, and we tackle a nonprofit problem using AI, showing exactly what’s possible and how you can do the same.
JOIN US IN NOVEMBER
Over three editions, the Social Impact Marketing Summit has transformed how African nonprofits think about digital. This year, we’re going further. The AI revolution is already here – your only choice is whether you’re leading it or catching up.
