Conference Theme: Shaping Digital Futures
Connected Futures reflects UbuntuNet Alliance’s vision of advancing resilient, inclusive, and sustainable digital infrastructure that underpins research, education, and innovation across Eastern and Southern Africa. The theme recognises that connectivity is no longer an end in itself, but a foundation upon which future-ready research ecosystems, intelligent services, and cross-border collaboration are built. UbuntuNet-Connect 2026 will explore how National Research and Education Networks (NRENs), partners, and policymakers can collectively shape digital futures that are secure, open, innovative, and responsive to regional priorities.
Subthemes
1. Resilient Research & Education Networks: This subtheme focuses on strengthening the ability of research and education networks to withstand cyber threats, operational disruptions, and external shocks, while ensuring continuity of services critical to research and learning.
2. Advanced Network Infrastructure & Connectivity: This subtheme explores the evolution of high-performance, scalable, and interoperable network infrastructures that support growing research and education demands across the region.
3. AI-Ready Networks & Data Platforms: This subtheme examines how digital infrastructure can be designed and operated to support artificial intelligence, advanced computing, and data-driven research and innovation.
4. Open Science & Research Infrastructure: This subtheme addresses the role of digital infrastructure in enabling open, collaborative, and reproducible research, and in expanding access to knowledge across the region.
5. Sustainable & Green Digital Infrastructure: This subtheme focuses on ensuring that the growth of digital infrastructure is environmentally responsible, financially sustainable, and aligned with long-term development goals.
6. Policy, Regulation & Digital Sovereignty: This subtheme explores the policy and regulatory environments shaping the development and use of digital infrastructure for research and education, with particular attention to national and regional priorities.
7. Innovation, Partnerships & Service Evolution: This subtheme examines how RENs are evolving beyond connectivity provision to become platforms for innovation, service delivery, and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
