In October, Kigali will take center stage as it hosts Africa’s inaugural AI summit, welcoming 1,000 leaders from across the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) landscape.
From October 8 to 9, the Kigali Convention Centre will be the venue for this significant gathering, organized by the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Rwanda (C4IR Rwanda) in partnership with the World Economic Forum (WEF).
This two-day summit will bring together a diverse mix of attendees, including high-level government officials, industry pioneers, startup innovators, investors, representatives from multilateral organizations, civil society advocates, and academic experts.
The collective goal of this summit is to foster a dynamic exchange of ideas on how AI can be a transformative force in Africa’s development.
The summit’s theme, “AI and Africa’s Demographic Dividend: Reimagining Economic Opportunities for Africa’s Workforce,” highlights the urgency of utilizing AI to boost the productivity of Africa’s rapidly expanding young population, create new economic pathways, and ensure inclusive growth.
Africa, with its burgeoning workforce, is positioning itself to play a pivotal role in the global AI arena. However, to maximize the benefits of AI while addressing its potential challenges, there is a pressing need for collaboration among various sectors and stakeholders.
The event will focus on translating discussions into actionable strategies that will have a tangible impact on Africa’s economies, industries, and societies. Participants will engage with the latest AI technologies and work towards crafting a strategic roadmap for the continent’s AI future.
Central to the summit’s agenda is the exploration of how AI can be harnessed to create inclusive economic opportunities, drive innovation, and enhance skills development across the continent.
The discussions will cover key areas such as workforce development, infrastructure readiness, data equity, inclusive AI model development, entrepreneurship, and governance.
According to C4IR Rwanda, AI is projected to contribute significantly to the global economy by 2030, with Africa expected to see at least a 6 percent boost in its GDP from AI advancements.
Achieving this potential will require navigating complex economic, social, and geopolitical challenges, while also building a shared vision for Africa’s leadership in the AI era.
C4IR Rwanda, as a global platform, will continue to promote responsible AI adoption and application, leveraging a network of independent national and thematic centers to explore and advance technological innovations that can drive equitable and human-centered development.
