Kigali is set to become the hub of global Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovation as it hosts Africa’s inaugural AI summit. Scheduled for October 8 to 9 at the Kigali Convention Centre, this groundbreaking event will bring together 1,000 international leaders from various sectors.
Organized by the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Rwanda (C4IR Rwanda) in partnership with the World Economic Forum (WEF), the summit aims to position Africa at the forefront of AI advancements.
Attendees will include heads of state, ministers, industry leaders, startups, investors, and academic experts, all gathered to explore AI’s potential to shape the continent’s future.
Under the theme “AI and Africa’s Demographic Dividend: Reimagining Economic Opportunities for Africa’s Workforce,” the summit will focus on leveraging AI to drive productivity, create economic opportunities, and support inclusive growth across Africa.
Africa’s swiftly growing workforce positions the continent as a significant player in the global AI sector. To maximize AI’s advantages and address its potential risks, comprehensive engagement and inclusive discussions among various stakeholders are crucial.
The summit is designed to set a bold vision for Africa’s role in the AI domain, with a focus on actionable insights, collaboration, and the development of innovative AI solutions.
Attendees will have the opportunity to explore state-of-the-art technologies and contribute to creating a strategic framework for the continent. The aim is to transform these discussions into practical steps that will enhance Africa’s industries, economies, and communities.
Agenda Highlights
The Summit will focus on how AI can be harnessed to foster inclusive economic opportunities, stimulate innovation, and enhance workforce skills across Africa. Key topics include addressing employment, skill development, and talent mobility within the AI-driven global economy, overcoming barriers to AI adoption, and setting the stage for future advancements.
Discussions will highlight the importance of data adoption, equity, and sovereignty, and explore opportunities for inclusive AI development, especially regarding language, culture, and context. The Summit will also promote human-centric AI applications to transform industries and societies, support entrepreneurial ecosystems, and build governance frameworks to encourage investment and development.
According to C4IR Rwanda, AI could contribute $15 trillion to the global economy by 2030, with a 6 percent increase in Africa’s GDP. Realizing these benefits will require navigating complex economic, social, and geopolitical challenges and developing a cohesive vision for AI’s role in Africa’s future. The Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Rwanda (C4IR Rwanda) is dedicated to helping stakeholders leverage technological advancements to drive equitable transformation across industries and societies, utilizing a global network of 19 independent national and thematic centers.