The Connected Africa Summit 2025 commenced on May 26 at the Diamonds Leisure Beach & Golf Resort in Diani, Mombasa, witnessing a big gathering of over 2,000 delegates from over 50 countries.
Organised by Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy in collaboration with the ICT Authority, the summit aims to propel Africa’s digital transformation.
Day 1: Setting the Digital Agenda
The Connected Africa 2025 summit opened with a strong emphasis on the implementation of the Nairobi Declaration, a commitment from the previous year’s summit to enhance digital collaboration across Africa.
Stanley Kamanguya, CEO of the ICT Authority of Kenya, highlighted the importance of assessing progress and addressing challenges in realising the declaration’s objectives.
Key discussions on the first day revolved around youth empowerment, scaling local innovations, harmonising ICT policies, and promoting digital inclusivity. Given that 70% of Africa’s population is under 30, these topics are crucial for the continent’s future.
A big highlight was the keynote address by Eng. John Tanui, Principal Secretary of the State Department for ICT and Digital Economy, who presented Kenya’s vision to become Africa’s hub for outsourcing IT-enabled services.
His insights emphasized Kenya’s strategic position in the digital economy landscape.
The day also featured robust discussions on the future of work, artificial intelligence, the gig economy, 5G connectivity, climate tech solutions, and the development of digital public infrastructure.
These conversations laid the groundwork for cross-sector collaborations aimed at redefining Africa’s digital agenda.
Beyond plenary sessions, the summit showcased African innovation through the Innovation Village, where local startups presented tech-driven solutions to real-world challenges.
The Smart Government Zone highlighted digital transformation projects from public sector institutions across Africa. Additionally, a Women in Tech session stressed the importance of empowering African women to lead in the digital economy.
Day 2: Deepening Digital Connectivity
Today, the summit focuses on “Digital Connectivity: Steering the Digital Economy Transformation.”
The morning sessions feature keynotes from industry leaders and government officials, including ICT cabinet secretary William Kabogo, who underlined the critical role of connectivity in Africa’s economic growth.
Discussions delve into cybersecurity, the future of networks, and the integration of AI in securing digital infrastructures. These sessions highlight the importance of safeguarding growth and building resilience against evolving digital threats.
Afternoon breakout sessions explore monetizing connectivity, shaping policy and regulatory frameworks, and fostering rural transformation through smart villages.
Other topics include boosting connectivity for research and education, exploring digital education platforms for African children, and addressing ethical considerations in child-targeted tech products.
The Ministerial Program Exclusive Investment Forum is underway, aiming to unlock economic potential through strategic investments in the digital sector.
The day will conclude with expert roundtable discussions on transitioning from 5G to 6G technologies and the human-centric development of AI.
Throughout the day, attendees engage in networking opportunities, exploring the Innovation Village and Smart Government Zone, which showcase local innovations and transformative public sector projects.
The summit continues to serve as a pivotal platform for fostering collaboration, driving policy dialogues, and accelerating Africa’s journey towards a digitally empowered future.
