AFCONS was created to provide a premier platform for the systems and control community in Africa and beyond to exchange ideas, present innovative research, strengthen collaborations, and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. As the inaugural edition of what we envision as a recurring continental event, AFCONS represents an important milestone in the development of control science and engineering across Africa.

Hosted by the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences and organized in partnership with the International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC) and the IEEE Control Systems Society (IEEE CSS), AFCONS 2026 will bring together leading researchers, practitioners, educators, students, and industry representatives from around the world. The conference is also generously supported by the US National Science Foundation, whose contribution helps promote international collaboration and supports student participation and scientific exchange.

The conference will feature plenary lectures, technical sessions, demonstrations, and networking activities covering a broad range of topics in systems and control, robotics, automation, optimization, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and related fields.

We are especially delighted to welcome participants to Mbour, one of Senegal's most beautiful coastal destinations. Situated along the Atlantic coast, Mbour offers a vibrant and inspiring setting for scientific discussions, collaboration, and the development of lasting professional relationships.

Whether you are joining us as a speaker, presenter, student, sponsor, or attendee, we hope AFCONS 2026 will serve as a catalyst for new partnerships, impactful research, and stronger connections between African researchers and the global control community.