From agentic AI to real-world software development, DevFest Mauritius 2026 brought developers, industry experts and student innovators together at the African Leadership College of Higher Education.
On October 3, 2026, the African Leadership College of Higher Education (ALCHE) welcomed Mauritius’ developer community to its Pamplemousses campus for DevFest Mauritius 2026, organized by Google Developer Groups (GDG) Mauritius.
Under the theme Build, Secure, Scale: Developers and Builders in the Agentic Era, the conference explored how emerging technologies are changing the way software is developed, deployed and used.
Part of Google’s global DevFest initiative, the event created an opportunity for developers, technology professionals and students to exchange ideas, explore new tools and connect with others shaping the future of technology.
Exploring What’s Next in Technology
Artificial intelligence took center stage at this year’s DevFest, with sessions exploring the opportunities and challenges of building increasingly autonomous systems.
The program covered everything from deploying and monitoring AI agents to generating video content with Google’s Veo and Flow tools. Other sessions examined the risks of AI hallucinations, practical approaches to recommendation systems, and the growing role of automation in software development.
Beyond AI, the event brought together expertise across Google Cloud, Firebase, Flutter, Android and web development, connecting participants with technologies and practices relevant to today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape.
For attendees, DevFest offered more than a look at emerging technologies. It was an opportunity to learn from experienced practitioners, discover new approaches to familiar challenges and engage with Mauritius’ growing developer community.
ALCHE Students Take the Stage
Among the speakers were two ALCHE students, Oluwasemilore Ademo and Hanif Olayiwola, who contributed their perspectives to conversations about software development and artificial intelligence.
In his session, Your App Isn’t Finished When You Build It, Oluwasemilore explored what happens after an application is launched, highlighting the importance of thinking beyond development to the realities of delivering and maintaining a product.
Hanif addressed a different challenge in AI Might Be Using You: How Students Should Actually Use AI in the Agentic Era Without Outsourcing Their Brain. His session examined how students can engage with AI tools while continuing to develop their own judgment, creativity and critical thinking.
Their participation reflected an important part of the ALCHE learning experience: students are encouraged not only to engage with emerging ideas but also to contribute their own knowledge and perspectives to professional conversations.
By sharing the stage with industry practitioners, both students demonstrated the value of connecting academic learning with real-world opportunities.
Connecting Education with Industry
Hosting DevFest Mauritius 2026 provided another opportunity for ALCHE to connect its learning community with the wider technology ecosystem.
As artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies continue to reshape industries, opportunities for students to engage directly with practitioners are increasingly valuable.
Events like DevFest bring these worlds together. They expose students to developments beyond the classroom, create space for professional connections and encourage the exchange of ideas between emerging talent and experienced developers.
For ALCHE, welcoming the conference to campus reflects its commitment to an education that connects learning with practice and prepares young leaders to participate in Africa’s evolving digital economy.
As Mauritius continues to develop its technology ecosystem, collaborations between educational institutions and developer communities can play an important role in developing talent, sharing expertise and opening new pathways for innovation.
Continue exploring the tools shaping our future beyond events like DevFest.
Discover ALCHE’s Introduction to Robotics program and get hands-on experience with coding, electronics and robotics.
