More than 1,000 global leaders will gather in Kigali early next month for the Global AI Summit on Africa (GAISAfrica25), a two-day event focused on how artificial intelligence (AI) can drive inclusive economic growth, foster innovation, and enhance workforce skills across the continent.
The summit, set for April 3-4, will bring together heads of state, ministers, global technology leaders, startups, investors, researchers, and international organizations. The event aims to deliver concrete commitments to strengthen Africa’s AI capabilities, organizers said.
Crystal Rugege, managing director of the Rwanda Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR), which is organizing the summit, said the gathering will foster cross-sector collaboration, accelerate investment, and build strategic partnerships to drive AI-powered growth.
“We anticipate several tangible outcomes, most notably a declaration laying the foundation for realizing Africa’s AI ambitions,” Rugege said. “Our goal is to move beyond discussion and deliver concrete commitments, including strategic investments in talent, infrastructure, data sets, and governance to scale AI enterprises responsibly and sustainably.”
According to C4IR, AI could contribute $2.9 trillion to Africa’s economy by 2030. A key announcement at GAISAfrica25 will be the establishment of the Africa AI Council, an initiative aimed at shaping the continent’s AI strategy.
AI has the potential to transform industries such as healthcare, agriculture, and education by boosting productivity and improving service delivery, Rugege said. However, she emphasized the need to address challenges such as data infrastructure gaps, a shortage of digital skills, and regulatory alignment.
“Hosting the inaugural summit in Kigali underscores Rwanda’s leadership and vision in leveraging cutting-edge technologies to improve lives and livelihoods,” she 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.”
The summit will also serve as a platform to showcase Africa’s growing AI ecosystem, highlight innovative startups, and promote regional cooperation in technology governance.
“Africa is not just a consumer in the global AI economy,” Rugege said. “We are poised to pioneer and shape our future.”