Kigali is set to host over 1,000 global leaders early next month for the Global AI Summit on Africa (GAISAfrica25), a landmark event that will explore how artificial intelligence (AI) can drive inclusive economic growth, foster innovation, and enhance the skills of Africa’s workforce. ALSO READ: How AI is reshaping customer service in Rwanda The two-day summit beginning on April 3 will bring together heads of state, ministers, global tech giants, innovation startups, investors, researchers, academia, and international organizations, all committed to delivering concrete commitments that build Africa’s AI capabilities. Crystal Rugege, the Managing Director of Rwanda Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution(C4IR), the summit organizers, told The New Times that all stakeholders will work together to foster cross-sector collaboration, accelerate investment, and build strategic partnerships critical to driving AI-powered growth across Africa. ALSO READ: Rwanda to develop 50 AI tools across various sectors: official “We anticipate several tangible outcomes, most notably a declaration laying the foundation for realizing Africa's AI ambitions. Our goal is to move beyond discussion and deliver concrete commitments that build Africa’s AI capabilities,” she added. “This includes strategic investments in talent, infrastructure, data sets, and good governance to scale AI enterprises responsibly and sustainably across the continent.” ALSO READ: Paris: ICT minister on how Rwanda uses AI in healthcare, agriculture According to C4IR, by 2030, AI is estimated to add $2.9 trillion to the African economy, emphasizing the opportunities and economic advantages of AI for Africa. During this year’s World Economic Forum, it was announced that the establishment of the Africa AI Council would be announced in GAISAfrica25. Shedding light on the importance of this achievement, Rugege noted that it will be a pivotal initiative that underscores Africa’s commitment to shaping its AI future collaboratively. AI could significantly boost economic growth by improving productivity and enhancing service delivery in sectors like health, agriculture, and education, she said. However, to fully unlock AI’s potential, an effort to address challenges like data infrastructure gaps, digital skills deficit, and regulatory harmonization is critical, Rugege said. “Hosting the inaugural Summit in Kigali underscores Rwanda’s leadership and vision in leveraging cutting-edge technologies to improve lives and livelihoods,” Rugege said. “It also highlights the government’s strategic investments in digital infrastructure, forward-thinking policies, and commitment to becoming a leading hub for AI innovation in Africa.” Reflecting on the summit’s importance and benefits to Rwanda’s tech ecosystem, Rugege said that the summit will be an opportunity to showcase Africa’s dynamic AI ecosystem, spotlight innovative startups, and promote unity in technology governance across the continent. “We aim to demonstrate that Africa is not just a consumer in the global AI economy, but it is poised to pioneer and shape its future,” she said. AI entrepreneurs eye opportunities Among those eager to engage in the summit is Audace Niyonkuru, the CEO of Digital Umuganda, an AI and open-data company. He will be a panellist on the theme “AI in Action: African Success Stories Transforming Industries, Economies, and Societies” on the second day. Niyonkuru underscored that the summit will be an opportunity to showcase the work that has been going on in Rwanda in terms of AI. “It will also be an opportunity to leverage the platform to attract either investors for some companies or potential partners or collaborators for the others,” Niyonkuru added, pointing out that the presence of private, government, and global tech companies, and regulators will be a good opportunity to discuss ongoing advancements of AI on the continent and in Rwanda. It will be a platform to also discuss what can be done to fast-track the development of AI applications on the continent, he said. A defining moment for local AI talents Robert Gatwaza, a university student, noted that it will be a chance to learn and connect with tech investors like Strive Masiyiwa, the Zimbabwean billionaire businessman who is the founder and executive chairman of international technology groups Econet Global and Cassava Technologies, who would share insights on how to explore AI entrepreneurial opportunities. Gatwaza who is studying machine learning (ML), a field of artificial intelligence that enables computers to learn from data without explicit programming, improving their performance and accuracy through experience, pointed out that while AI is a trend, many people are unable to differentiate it from other emerging technologies. “It is a groundbreaking opportunity which means a lot in terms of understanding and differentiating AI, machine learning, and deep learning,” Gatwaza added. According to Schadrack Niyibizi, an AI engineer, the summit will be an opportunity for local AI experts and practitioners to connect with others on the continent and globally. “It will be a chance to know how AI is affecting the global economy because AI is the modern tool to drive the economy,” he added. “I also think it will be an opportunity for local companies to benefit from other companies' experiences and check on the status of Rwanda and how we are positioned in AI.”
