President Paul Kagame has urged African nations to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool for solving the continent’s most pressing challenges, emphasizing that success will depend not only on how quickly new technologies are adopted, but on how strategically they are applied to local needs.
Speaking today, November 12, at the Transform Africa Summit 2025 in Conakry, Guinea, President Kagame reflected on the progress made since the summit’s inception more than a decade ago in Kigali, Rwanda — a milestone that launched the Smart Africa Alliance, a continental initiative aimed at driving Africa’s digital transformation.
“More than a decade ago, the Transform Africa Summit was launched in Kigali. Back then, a digital revolution was unfolding globally. The opportunities ahead of us were clear — to invest in broadband and use connectivity as a springboard to develop more competitively,” Kagame said.
He noted, the Smart Africa Alliance has grown to 42 member countries, a testament to Africa’s shared commitment to digital advancement. However, he cautioned that the world today faces a more complex and fast-evolving technological landscape that demands fresh thinking and collaboration.
Harnessing AI for Africa’s development needs
This year’s summit, themed “AI for Africa: Innovate Locally, Impact Globally,” centers on how artificial intelligence can be used to accelerate development. Kagame stressed that Africa’s success with AI will depend on identifying the right priorities — those that directly address the continent’s unique contexts and challenges.
“For Africa, success will not only depend on how quickly we deploy this new tool, but also on which problems we choose to apply it to,” he said. “Those catered to our context and development needs will bring the maximum gains to our human capital.”
Citing Rwanda as an example, Kagame revealed that AI is projected to contribute 5 percent to Rwanda’s GDP, boosting innovation and expertise in key sectors such as healthcare, education, and agriculture. He added that Rwanda has already laid the groundwork for a national AI policy to guide its ambitions.
Bridging the digital divide
While celebrating the progress achieved so far, Kagame warned that Africa still faces critical gaps in digital infrastructure, skills, and regulatory frameworks, which continue to slow progress. He called for stronger collaboration between governments and the private sector to close these gaps and make more effective use of available resources.
“The investment deficit in digital infrastructure, skills, and regulatory frameworks is what slows us down,” he said. “Closing these structural gaps requires close collaboration between the public and private sector.”
He commended Smart Africa for leading new initiatives such as the Africa Artificial Intelligence Council and the AI Fund, which he said lay essential foundations for advancing the continent’s priorities in this rapidly changing field.
Adapting to the future with confidence
President Kagame also addressed the growing global debate around AI’s impact on work, privacy, and safety. While acknowledging that some of the concerns are valid, he cautioned against fear-driven resistance to innovation.
“There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding artificial intelligence, especially regarding the future of work, privacy, and safety,” he said. “Some of it is completely unjustified, and some of it is just fear of the unknown. Regardless of the sentiment, this new reality is here to stay with us, and we must learn how to adapt and live with it.”
The Transform Africa Summit 2025 — hosted by Guinea under the leadership of President Mamadi Doumbouya — has gathered policymakers, industry leaders, innovators, and international partners to explore how artificial intelligence can power Africa’s next phase of digital transformation and inclusive growth.