Luanda, Angola, 24 July 2026 — The Frontier Tech Leaders (FTL) Programme celebrated the graduation of its first Machine Learning Bootcamp cohort in Angola, together with the completion of the AI for Sustainable Tourism Hackathon, marking an important step in strengthening digital skills for Angola’s digital transformation and sustainable tourism development. The ceremony brought together government officials, partners, and Angola’s emerging tech talent to recognize the graduates’ achievements.

Launched in early 2025 as the FTL Programme’s first thematic implementation dedicated to sustainable tourism, the FTL Angola Machine Learning Bootcamp aimed to equip young Angolans with practical skills in Python, data analysis, machine learning, GIS and geospatial analysis, and the responsible use of AI for achieving sustainable tourism. The programme received 838 applications, demonstrating strong interest in advanced digital skills. Following a rigorous selection process and an intensive training programme, 67 participants successfully graduated. Together, the graduates developed 13 AI and machine learning-based solutions addressing sustainable tourism challenges in Angola.

The graduated cohort reflected nationwide participation. While the largest concentration of graduates was in Luanda, they also came from Huíla, Huambo, Icolo e Bengo, Bengo, Cabinda, Malanje, Bié, Cunene, and Namibe.  Drawn from computer science, engineering, data science, economics and other fields, graduates brought an interdisciplinary mix that provided a strong base for applying machine learning to sustainable tourism challenges. Over the course of the programme, participants reported a substantial increase in their machine learning skills and confidence.

Beyond the Bootcamp, the programme reached more than 250 additional young people through community trainings delivered between January and May 2026. These spanned seven specialized areas: Advanced Python, Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity for Women, Generative AI for Sustainable Tourism, GIS and Sustainable Tourism, Applied Machine Learning, and AI for Process Automation.

A total of 50 women graduated across the Bootcamp and community trainings, reflecting the programme's commitment to inclusive participation. A dedicated Cybersecurity for Women training helped widen women's engagement with frontier technology.

The programme culminated in the AI for Sustainable Tourism Hackathon, which challenged participants to apply artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science and GIS to real tourism and sustainability challenges in Angola. The Hackathon brought together 65 participants, comprising 49 FTL Bootcamp participants and 16 students from 42 Luanda, organized into 11 multidisciplinary teams. They worked across four challenge areas: smart tourist experience and destination discovery; sustainable tourism, environment and climate resilience; cultural heritage, community tourism and local economic impact; and agrotourism and rural innovation. Supported by technical, tourism and business mentors, teams progressed from problem definition to functional prototypes and final pitches.

The ceremony convened representatives of the FTL Programme’s partner institutions to recognize the graduates’ achievements and their contribution to Angola’s digital future. These included UNDP ICPSD, the Presidency of Strategy and Budget of Türkiye, UNDP Angola, and the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Angola.

Dr. Gülçin Salingan, Deputy Director of UNDP ICPSD, celebrated the milestone and the programme’s results:

“At ICPSD, we are deeply committed to equipping young people with the digital and frontier technology skills they need to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving world. The Bootcamp attracted 838 applications and successfully graduated 67 young leaders from across Angola, who developed AI-based solutions that support sustainable tourism and address real development challenges.”

She encouraged the graduates to look ahead:

“The future belongs to those who dare to think differently and use technology as a force for good. We look forward to seeing you lead, innovate, and help shape the digital future of Angola and beyond.”

Representing the Multilateral Development Cooperation Department of the Presidency of Strategy and Budget of Türkiye, Mr. Mert Can Selver highlighted the significance of the milestone:

“Today, we celebrate a new wave of tech leaders from Angola, who are ready to contribute to Angola’s digital transformation and transform their communities. Through the Frontier Tech Leaders Programme, Türkiye helps cultivate new tech talents, driving digital transformation in the Least Developed Countries.”

FTL Programme Coordinator Ms. Beril Benli introduced the Frontier Tech Leaders Programme and its mission to close the digital divide in the Least Developed Countries with specific highlights from Angola implementation:

“Our vision is to create a future where youth from the Least Developed Countries are empowered to address both their nations’ and global development challenges through frontier technologies. Angola is especially important to us, as it is our first thematic implementation dedicated to sustainable tourism.”

Looking ahead, the Frontier Tech Leaders Programme will continue to support Angola’s graduates through community trainings, mentorship, and post-programme pathways, connecting the strongest capstone and hackathon projects to further opportunities in the tourism sector and the wider digital economy.