President Paul Kagame has called on African nations to embrace the accelerating pace of technological progress, urging leaders to turn digital disruption into opportunity as the Transform Africa Summit opened with bold commitments to innovation.
“This is not the first, nor the last wave of technological progress that Africa and the world will witness,” President Kagame said.
“Science and technology are powerful engines of creativity and performance… Let’s make the most of these times.”
His message set the tone for a summit that produced clear resolutions aimed at positioning Africa for the next digital leap.
Governments agreed to fast-track digital public infrastructure, including digital IDs, interoperable data systems, and e-government platforms—key tools expected to boost efficiency and transparency.
Artificial intelligence took centre stage, with countries pledging to develop national AI strategies and embrace data-driven governance.
Innovations such as AI-powered public services, smart city systems, and predictive agriculture tools were showcased as examples of technology reshaping African development.
Cybersecurity also emerged as a continental priority, with leaders committing to harmonised standards and cross-border threat-sharing networks to protect expanding digital ecosystems.
The Summit further highlighted Africa’s fast-growing startup landscape—from fintech and agritech to drone logistics and edtech—prompting governments to promise more supportive regulations, investment pathways, and regional innovation hubs.
Under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), leaders endorsed efforts to build digital trade corridors, enabling seamless e-commerce, digital payments, and cross-border business.
Throughout the Summit, inclusion remained a core principle. Delegates reaffirmed commitments to expanding affordable connectivity, digital literacy programmes, and accessible technologies to ensure no one is left behind as the continent moves forward.
With a mix of ambitious resolutions and forward-looking innovations, Transform Africa reinforced a clear message: if African nations act decisively, the continent has the potential not only to adopt emerging technologies—but to help shape the global digital future.
