Ghana's Team Apex beats USA, China and 24 other nations to win 2026 Robotics World Championship

• Ghana’s Team Apex from Mikrobot Academy won the 2026 Robofest Junior World Championship in Michigan, USA.

• The team defeated competitors from 26 countries including China, the USA, South Korea and Canada.

• It marks Ghana’s first-ever Robofest Junior World Championship title, inspiring young innovators across Africa.

Ghana has made history on the global technology stage after a team of young innovators from Mikrobot Academy emerged winners of the 2026 Robofest Junior World Championship in Michigan, USA.

The victorious team, known as Team Apex, defeated competitors from 26 countries including China, the United States, Canada, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Greece, and Mexico to claim the prestigious title on May 16, 2026.

The remarkable achievement marks Ghana’s first-ever Robofest Junior World Championship title, placing the country firmly on the map in global robotics and STEM innovation.

READ ALSO: Over 1.5 million people die from food poisoning annually: 5 tips to stay safe according to WHO

The championship-winning team is made up of five brilliant young Ghanaians:

• Faiz Sornyiina Abdul-Wahab

• Tiana Lilian Naa-Chardey Taylor

• Israel Yeboah Awuah

• Inaaya Khan

• Aalia Mehreen

Representing Mikrobot Academy, the students designed and programmed an autonomous robot capable of completing complex competition tasks without human intervention — a key requirement of the highly competitive Robofest challenge.

Their innovation, technical skill, and teamwork enabled them to outperform some of the world’s strongest robotics teams from leading technology nations.

READ ALSO: Ghana to introduce AI, coding and electronics into basic schools

Ghana’s victory has attracted widespread admiration, especially considering the calibre of countries Team Apex competed against.

The young Ghanaian innovators went head-to-head with teams from nations widely recognised for their advances in science, engineering and robotics, including China, the USA, South Korea, Taiwan and Canada.

For many, the victory represents more than just a trophy — it signals the growing potential of Ghanaian youth in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

READ ALSO: Gov't announces GH₵5,000 to GH₵500,000 start-up loans for Ghanaian Youth under 24H+ programme: How to apply

Reflecting on the historic achievement, Team Apex coach Leslie Joppa said the victory sends a powerful message to young Africans about what is possible.

His remarks have resonated with many educators and technology advocates who believe increased investment in STEM education could unlock enormous potential among African youth.

Beyond national pride, Ghana’s Robofest triumph highlights the importance of investing in robotics, coding, artificial intelligence, and practical technology education.

For Ghana, Team Apex’s success may also encourage greater support for robotics programmes and STEM-based learning initiatives across schools.

READ ALSO: Ghana to lead Africa’s tech future with $250 million AI computing centre to drive innovation

The achievement comes at a time when conversations around youth innovation, digital skills and technology-driven careers are gaining momentum across Africa.

For Team Apex, this is not just a victory for Mikrobot Academy — it is a defining moment for Ghana. From Accra to Michigan, the young innovators have demonstrated that talent, determination and opportunity can place Ghanaian students among the very best in the world.

And as the country celebrates its first-ever Robofest Junior World Championship title, one thing is clear: Ghana’s future in technology looks brighter than ever.