Robotics for Good Youth Challenge
The Robotics for Good Youth Challenge South Africa is the prestigious South African National Event of the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge. Experience the excitement as South African teams showcase their skills in the leading UN-based global robotics competition, focusing on the critical area of agriculture and food security. This National Event, to be held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, as part of AI for Good Impact Africa, at AI Expo Africa 2025, is a qualifying tournament leading to the Grand Finale in Geneva during the AI for Good Global Summit 2026.
This global competition is open to any individual or team willing to design, build, and program a robot to address the proposed food security challenge on the competition game board.
Be Part of The Magic
Last year’s Robotics for Good Youth Challenge was a resounding success, showcasing the creativity and talent of young innovators from across South Africa. The energy, ideas, and impact captured in this highlight video set the stage for an even bigger 2025/26 chapter, inspiring the next generation to use robotics and AI for real-world change.
Who Can Apply?
This is a call for learners and teams from across South Africa who are passionate about robotics, innovation, and making a difference. Whether you’re experienced or just starting, this competition welcomes anyone eager to learn and innovate.
The categories are determined by the year of birth:
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Junior: 10 - 14 years
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Senior: 15 - 18 Years
Team Details:
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Teams can have up to 8 members.
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Individual participation is also allowed!
🏆 Why Join?
The winners in both Junior and Senior categories will earn:
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🎟 Tickets to the Grand Finale at the AI for Good Global Summit 2025 in Geneva.
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🏅 Gold Passes for the Summit.
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🌟 A Youth Zone exhibition booth at the Summit.
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🎤 A chance to pitch on the Youth Stage in Geneva.
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🤝 Networking opportunities with UN representatives and global leaders.
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📣 Global media exposure for your innovative solutions!
Robotics for Good Youth Challenge 2025/26 Theme
Agriculture faces mounting pressure from limited resources and a growing global population. To remain viable, food systems must optimize land and water use, improve efficiency, and ensure equitable access. The FAO stresses that agriculture must meet current and future needs while remaining profitable and socially equitable. Technology plays a key role in this transformation. Precision agriculture tools such as GPS-guided machinery and drones improve yields, reduce waste, and optimize irrigation. Advances in robotics and artificial intelligence further enhance efficiency by automating tasks like irrigation, pest control, and harvesting with minimal waste.
The Robotics for Good Youth Challenge 2025–2026, curated by make+learn, engages students in designing robots to address agricultural challenges. Teams will create solutions for crop monitoring, efficient water use, and pest management—critical to reducing pesticide use, conserving resources, and boosting yields. Through this competition, students experience how robotics can make agriculture more resilient and sustainable.
The Robotics for Good Youth Challenge aligns with several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
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