Global AI Summit on Africa

3 Apr 2025 - 4 Apr 2025

Kigali, Rwanda

Event webpage

The Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the Ministry of ICT & Innovation, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, will host the inaugural Global AI Summit on Africa in Kigali, Rwanda, on April 3-4, 2025. This invitation-only summit will convene global leaders, policymakers, industry executives, investors, civil society representatives, and entrepreneurs to discuss Africa’s role in the global AI economy.

Africa is home to the world’s fastest-growing workforce, positioning the continent as a key player in the global AI ecosystem. The summit will address how AI can drive inclusive economic growth, innovation, and workforce development while ensuring ethical governance and risk mitigation.
The two-day programme will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, and workshops centred on seven key themes:

  • People: Jobs, skills, and talent mobility in the global AI economy
  • Infrastructure: Barriers to AI adoption and future digital infrastructure needs
  • Data: AI adoption, equity, and sovereignty considerations
  • AI Models: Addressing gaps in language, culture, and inclusion
  • AI Applications: Human-centric use cases for economic and social transformation
  • Entrepreneurship: Strengthening AI innovation through talent, knowledge, and investment
  • Governance: Establishing trust, ethical AI policies, and citizen protection

On April 3, the Global AI Summit on Africa will begin with a media briefing introducing the co-chairs, who will outline Africa’s role in the global AI economy. Discussions will explore the continent’s AI potential, addressing opportunities for inclusive growth, digital security, and economic transformation. Experts will highlight AI’s projected $2.9 trillion impact on Africa, emphasizing the need for investment in infrastructure, skills development, and governance. Sessions will also examine challenges in AI adoption, data sovereignty, and the need for inclusive generative AI models.

On April 4, the focus will shift to real-world applications, showcasing AI-driven healthcare advancements, entrepreneurship, and agriculture innovations. Discussions will explore Africa’s AI infrastructure needs, national AI strategies, and the role of emerging technologies like quantum computing and robotics. The summit will conclude with a call to strengthen AI governance and establish Africa’s leadership in the global AI landscape, followed by a closing plenary and reception.