What if your skills could help solve the world's biggest problems?
This summit is designed to make that a reality. Apply today!
One Day.
The World's Most Pressing Problems.
With The People Actually Doing Something About Them.
EA Summit: South Africa returns for its third year. On Saturday 31 October 2026, 200 people from across Southern Africa will gather in Cape Town at UVU Africa (Brickfield Canvas, 35 Brickfield Rd, Woodstock) for a full day of evidence, ideas and action, on the world's most pressing problems — including global health and development, animal welfare, biosecurity, AI safety and effective giving.
Whether you're encountering these ideas for the first time or have worked in one of these fields for years, this is a rare chance to meet the people doing this work in the region, test your thinking against theirs, and leave with sharper thinking, real connections and a concrete next step.
Attendance is by application.
Application Process
Applications are open now and close on 16 October 2026. Here is what to expect:
- Complete a short application (~10–15 minutes) on Luma. We ask about your background, your interests, and how you would like to use the day. There is no minimum level of EA knowledge required.
- Our team will review your application. We review on a rolling basis and aim to be in touch within 10 business days, whatever the outcome. All decisions will be out by 19 October, so that everyone has time to make travel arrangements.
- Register for the summit (~5 minutes). If you are accepted you will receive a link to register and confirm your place. At this stage we ask for dietary requirements and access needs, and your choice of ticket tier.
We expect to receive considerably more applications than we have places, and we select carefully, so please apply early, and please apply even if you are unsure whether this event is for you. Being turned down is not a judgement on you, and we will point you towards other things in the EA ecosystem where we can.
Have questions? Email us at summit@effectivealtruism.co.za.
Who Is The Effective Altruism Summit For?
This Event Is Designed For People Who Get Things Done!
The summit is open to everyone — and designed for the accomplished, the ambitious and the action-oriented. If you lead a team, run an organisation, fund good work, or you're ready to point your career at the problems that matter most, this day is for you.
EA Summit: South Africa prioritises attendees based across Southern Africa in order to build the community and the connections across it. We also welcome experienced community members from elsewhere who can bring perspective and mentorship to the room.
The summit is a particularly good fit for:
- Professionals and decision-makers in health, policy, research, technology, philanthropy, business and the non-profit sector who want to direct their work towards the problems where it will count most
- Newcomers to effective altruism who are ready to act, and want to understand the ideas properly rather than in outline
- Students and early-career people with a real track record of getting things done
- Funders and philanthropists interested in where additional resources go furthest
- Experienced community members willing to mentor newcomers, share what they know, and open doors
You do not need any prior knowledge of effective altruism to apply. The day opens with a proper introduction to the ideas, and a substantial part of the programme is built for people meeting them for the first time.
Come curious. Leave with a next step: a role to apply for, an initiative to start, a pledge to make.
What to Expect / Program
The agenda for EA Summit: South Africa 2026 will include:
Talks from local and international experts across global health and development, animal welfare, biosecurity, AI safety and effective giving Interactive workshops and discussions A structured mentorship programme, matching attendees with experienced practitioners before the day so that the conversations you most need are already booked when you arrive Meetups, one-to-one time and social activities
We are in the process of designing the programme and want to hear from you. If you have ideas for speakers or topics, let us know at summit@effectivealtruism.co.za.
Full event details will be available in the Swapcard app closer to the conference. Swapcard also makes it easy to connect with other attendees, and many people find these connections the most rewarding part of the day. We recommend using Swapcard to message others and arrange one-to-one meetings a week or two before the summit begins.
About Effective Altruism South Africa
We support people to maximise the impact of their resources and careers. We run capacity-building programs, provide career advising, and support the growth of a community of people dedicated to doing the most good they can.
Since 2024, we've had:
- More than 250 program completions
- Supported community members to accept ~24 high-impact roles
- Supported community members to launch ~5 high-impact initiatives
Cost
Tickets are offered on a tiered scale, including an exemption option available to anyone for whom the cost would be a barrier — no questions asked, and it makes no difference to your place.
Travel and accommodation
Cape Town is served by Cape Town International Airport, with direct flights from across South Africa and the region. Details of recommended accommodation near the venue will be published closer to the date and in the attendee guide.
Accessibility
The venue has step-free access, accessible bathrooms and free parking. Attendees can tell us about any accessibility needs when registering.
Contact us
If you know someone who might want to attend, please share this event with them and encourage them to apply — personal invitations are how most of our strongest attendees find us.
Email us at summit@effectivealtruism.co.za with any comments, suggestions or questions.