All roads lead to the Kigali Convention Center (KCC) for the Global AI Summit on Africa, the first high-level gathering dedicated to exploring the continent’s role in the global artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem and the transformative impact of the technology on Africa’s workforce and economy. Under the theme “AI and Africa’s Demographic Dividend: Reimagining Economic Opportunities for Africa’s Workforce,” the summit kicks off on Thursday, April 3. Organizers said that the two-day summit reflects the growing recognition of Africa’s potential in the AI landscape, especially as the continent boasts the world’s fastest-growing workforce. ALSO READ: Over 1,000 global leaders to gather in Kigali for Global AI Summit More than 1,000 participants, including global leaders, government ministers, heads of state, tech giants, investors, academics, and researchers, are attending the summit. The event will also host over 100 AI enterprises and delegates from 95 countries. President Paul Kagame is expected to address the summit, alongside several high-ranking officials including Adolf Faustine Mkenda, Tanzania’s Minister of Education, Science, and Technology, Jonathan Rei, Minister of Innovation, Industry, Science, and Technology of Barbados, and Strive Masiyiwa, Founder and Executive Chairman of Econet Group and Cassava Technologies. Africa’s AI growth and economic impact The Global AI Summit comes at a time when AI investments are rising across the continent. According to the Mastercard Foundation, the AI market in Africa is projected to reach $4.92 billion by 2025, with an annual compound growth rate of 27% from 2025 to 2030. ALSO READ: How the Kinyarwanda AI tokenization tool works AI is also expected to contribute $2.9 trillion to Africa’s economy, reflecting its high potential to drive economic transformation. Africa’s youth will be central to this transformation. With over 60 percent of the continent’s population under the age of 25, the summit aims to engage stakeholders in identifying how AI can drive inclusive growth, enhance workforce skills, and create sustainable economic opportunities. What to expect at the summit The two-day summit will feature more than 20 sessions, including different panel discussions and workshops that center around people, infrastructure, data governance, AI applications, entrepreneurship, and policy regulation. The summit’s agenda includes sessions exploring challenges and opportunities for fostering inclusive and resilient growth. Additionally, discussions will focus on the role of leaders in navigating complex economic, social, and geopolitical dynamics, as well as shaping a shared vision for Africa’s leadership in the age of AI. Other sessions will focus on building robust data infrastructure for AI development, empowering youth as the driving force behind Africa’s technological future, unleashing the power of AI in agriculture, and AI governance and Africa's position within the global context. Speaking to The New Timesahead of the summit, Crystal Rugege, Managing Director of the Rwanda Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR), emphasized that AI summit is an opportunity to showcase Africa’s dynamic AI ecosystem, spotlight innovative startups, and drive technology governance unity across the continent. “We aim to demonstrate that Africa is not just a consumer in the global AI economy but is poised to pioneer and shape its future,” Rugege stated.
