Programme
Over two days, through keynotes, panels, and workshops, the summit will focus on how AI can be harnessed to create inclusive economic opportunities, foster innovation, and enhance the skills of Africa’s workforce.
The programme is formed around 7 thematic areas to guide dialogue and collaboration:
People
Jobs, Skills, and Talent Mobility in the Global AI Economy
Infrastructure
Barriers to Adoption and Building Blocks for the Future
Data
A Strategic Imperative for Adoption, Equity, and Sovereignty
AI Models
Gaps and Opportunities for Inclusive Development—Language, Culture, and Context
AI Applications
Equitable and Human-Centric Use Cases to Transform Economies and Societies
Entrepreneurship
Bolstering Talent, Knowledge, and Capital to Scale Innovation-Driven Enterprises
Governance
Building Trust and Citizen Protection to Foster Inclusive, Ethical, and Sustainable AI
Thursday 3 April
Friday 4 April
Side Events
08.00 - 09.15
Welcome Coffee
09.30 - 10.30
Africa and the AI opportunity
Home to the largest and fastest growing workforce in the world, Africa is poised to play a consequential role in the global AI ecosystem. This session will set the scene for the two-day summit exploring challenges and opportunities to advance inclusive and resilient growth.
Auditorium | Kigali Convention Center
10.30 - 11.00
Break
11.00 - 12.15
Leading in the Age of AI
By 2030, AI stands to add $19.9 trillion to the global economy—injecting $2.9 trillion to Africa’s economy. This could lift 11 million Africans out of poverty, and create 500,000 jobs annually. Maximizing the tremendous benefits will require Africa’s leaders to navigate complex economic, social, and geostrategic dynamics, and a shared vision for Africa’s leadership in the age of AI.
Auditorium | Kigali Convention Center
12.15 - 14.30
Lunch
A standing networking lunch will be served from 12.15 to 14.30
14.30 - 15.30
AI Competitiveness through Global Collaboration
AI has the potential to profoundly transform economies and societies for the benefit of all, provided it is developed and implemented in a responsible and equitable manner. Creating resilient ecosystems will require strategic planning and close collaboration between governments and multiple stakeholders to develop vital AI capabilities.
Auditorium | Kigali Convention Center
Data: A Strategic Imperative for Adoption, Equity, and Sovereignty
Data is the oxygen of the AI economy. Nations must build robust data infrastructure and data strategies to support localized and contextually relevant AI development. This requires responsible data governance and harmonized regulation, trusted cross-border data flows, and investment in data infrastructure to foster innovation.
MH1 | Kigali Convention Center
AI for All: African Youth Voices Shaping the Future
In partnership with the Mastercard Foundation
As artificial intelligence reshapes our world, Africa stands at a crucial crossroads. This youth focused session, supported by the Mastercard Foundation, brings together young innovators and current trailblazers in the global AI industry to explore how we can ensure AI development in Africa is both inclusive and impactful. By focusing on youth perspectives and experiences, we aim to catalyze a movement that transforms challenges into opportunities, ensuring Africa's next generation participates in and actively shapes the AI transformation.
MH4 | Kigali Convention Center
15.30 - 15.45
Break
15.45 - 16.45
Innovating for a Healthier Future
AI-enabled scientific research has revolutionized the pace and scope of discovery, offering unprecedented opportunities for advancements in healthcare. In Africa, where healthcare challenges are profound, AI-driven innovations have the potential to significantly improve health outcomes, enhance disease prevention, and optimize resource allocation.
Auditorium | Kigali Convention Center
AI and Frontier Technologies: Catalyzing Synergies for Future Economic Growth
The impact of artificial intelligence will grow exponentially as it integrates with emerging technologies like quantum, biotechnology, robotics and more. With immense opportunities from climate solutions to health innovation, join this session to learn how AI will converge with other domains, setting the stage for sustainable economies of tomorrow.
MH1 | Kigali Convention Center
Unleashing the Power of AI in Agriculture
New waves of agritech such as AI, IoT, augmented reality (AR), smart packaging, gene editing, drones, and blockchain are driving agriculture and food sector transformation are being seen as the catalyst for increased productivity, and enablers of the next green revolution. Africa has been at the forefront of some of the path-breaking digital interventions such as mobile money. Africa can lead the way again, in digital agriculture.
MH4 | Kigali Convention Center
17.00 - 19.00
Cultural Soiree
A cocktail reception immersed in culture and entertainment.
MH2 & MH3 | Kigali Convention Center
08.30 - 09.15
Welcome Coffee
09.30 - 10.30
Financing Africa’s AI Ambitions
Without substantial improvements in digital infrastructure, Africa risks falling further behind in the global AI race. This means investing in state-of-the-art data centres, expanding cloud computing capabilities, and ensuring reliable and fast communication networks. Financing Africa’s AI journey will require ambitious foresight and public, private, and philanthropic collaboration.
Auditorium | Kigali Convention Center
Jobs, Skills, and Talent Mobility in the Global AI Economy
A robust talent ecosystem is a necessary condition for Africa to fully engage in the global AI economy. What are the most effective strategies for building a productive and globally competitive workforce in Africa in the AI era?
MH1 | Kigali Convention Center
GenAI Gaps and Opportunities for Inclusive Development
Africa's diversity, encompassing 54 countries and over 1,000 languages, presents a unique landscape for the development of generative AI models and the deployment of innovative solutions. However, the concentration of AI model development in a few companies and countries raises significant concerns about inclusion and equitable distribution of benefits
MH4 | Kigali Convention Center
10.30 - 11.00
Break
11.00 - 12.00
Infrastructure: Barriers to Adoption and Building Blocks for the Future
Despite Africa’s abundant resources, inadequate digital infrastructure remains to be a significant challenge in realizing its AI ambitions—from power to connectivity to the cost of data and devices. Similarly, there is current demand to train and scale AI solutions in Africa, which requires access to affordable computing
Auditorium | Kigali Convention Center
Reimagining Trust and Safety to Drive Equity and Inclusion
As AI systems increasingly influence societal structures, ensuring trust and safety is critical to fostering equity and inclusion. This panel will explore strategies for embedding ethical considerations, mitigating bias, and ensuring AI systems serve diverse populations equitably. Experts will discuss the role of governance, policy, and industry collaboration in building AI frameworks that enhance trust and safeguard marginalized communities.
MH1 | Kigali Convention Center
AI in Action: African Success Stories Transforming Industries, Economies and Societies
Africa is increasingly recognized for its culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, with AI companies emerging across the continent and covering diverse sectors. These companies are not only serving domestic markets but are also making significant inroads internationally. The potential for growth and scale in AI-driven businesses is immense, and African entrepreneurs are at the forefront of this transformation.
MH4 | Kigali Convention Center
12.00 - 13.30
Lunch
A standing networking lunch will be served from 12.00 to 13.30
13.30 - 14.30
Building Africa’s Compute Capacity—Sustainably and Equitably
As the demand for advanced AI applications grows, building the necessary compute capacity is critical for Africa’s technological advancement and economic growth. However, developing this infrastructure sustainably and equitably presents unique challenges and opportunities.
Auditorium | Kigali Convention Center
A Global View: Reimagining Success in the Creative Economy through AI
There’s no doubt the advent of AI-powered tools has sparked a new revolution of ideation, imagination, and innovation, and the future of work is challenging our traditional notions of creativity and reshaping the skills required for success. AI tools are becoming increasingly sophisticated in generating creative content, yet they're simultaneously creating a higher demand for human creativity. Whilst this paradox is reshaping the skills landscape in unexpected way, it presents both unprecedented challenges and extraordinary opportunities.
MH1 | Kigali Convention Center
Artificial Intelligence: The Next Frontier in Digital Public Infrastructure
AI is revolutionizing digital public infrastructure in Africa, enhancing efficiency, security, and accessibility. From digital identity and payments to data governance and public services, AI-driven solutions can unlock new opportunities for inclusive growth. This session explores how Africa can harness AI to build resilient, people-centered digital ecosystems.
MH4 | Kigali Convention Center
14.30 - 14.45
Break
14.45 - 15.30
AI Governance and Africa's positioning within the global context
As AI continues to shape economies and societies worldwide, effective governance becomes crucial to ensure that AI technologies are developed and deployed safely, inclusively, and responsibly. For Africa, establishing robust AI governance frameworks is essential not only to mitigate the risks, but also to position the continent as a significant player in the global AI landscape.
Auditorium | Kigali Convention Center
Pre-Summit
Shaping AI Governance
Hosted by Center for Law & Innovation
Movie Screening: Coded Bias w/ Dr. Joy Buolamwini
Hosted by University of Oxford, Institute For Ethics in AI & AJL
AI Research Colloquim
Hosted by C4IR, Qhala, CMU-Africa, Smart Africa, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
April 3, 2025
High-level Ministerial Roundtable on Reimagining Governance with AI: From Innovation to Implementation
Hosted by Tony Blair Institute
Exclusive Leadership Roundtable on Africa’s AI Future
Hosted by WEF
Investment Roundtable on the Establishment of an Africa AI Fund
Hosted by C4IR, Smart Africa, Qhala
April 4, 2025
Roundtable Discussion: From AI Theory to Applications in Africa
Hosted by Carnegie Mellon University Africa
Unlocking Generative AI for Health in Rwanda and across Africa
Hosted by WEF
Building Resilient and Competitive AI Ecosystems in Africa
Hosted by WEF
Unlocking AI's Potential in Africa: Insights & Action
Hosted by Google
Infrastructure barriers to AI Adoption and Building block for the Future
Hosted by MINICT, GSMA, Qhala & Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
AI Investment in Africa: Moving to Scale
Hosted by AI for Development Funders Collaborative
Designing Effective Codes of Conduct: Aligning Norms-Setting, Transparency, and Policy Prototyping (Responsible Governance Models)
Hosted by WEF