Africa in AI‑Mode : focus on Conakry for the Transform Africa Summit 2025
From 12 to 14 November 2025 in Conakry, the 7th edition of the Transform Africa Summit (TAS 2025) will open under the theme “AI for Africa: innovate locally, impact globally.” The event, organised by the Smart Africa Alliance, will bring together heads of state, ministers, entrepreneurs, investors, researchers and startups to jointly rethink Africa’s place in the global artificial‑intelligence revolution.
For the first time the Summit will be held in West Africa, specifically in Conakry. A strong symbol, emphasises H.E. Rose Pola Pricemou, Minister of Posts, Telecommunications & Digital Economy of Guinea: “Hosting the Transform Africa Summit in Conakry is a historic moment for Guinea. It is our chance to showcase the bold vision of Simandou 2040, highlight our digital dynamism, and position our nation as a key hub of innovation and collaboration for Africa and the world.”
A strategic rendez‑vous for the continent
The Summit will address major challenges: data governance, digital inclusion, skills development, innovation financing, AI ethics and technology adoption in key sectors such as agriculture, health, education and energy.
The choice of theme is not accidental. Across the continent, artificial‑intelligence initiatives are multiplying, yet Africa still accounts for only about 3% of global AI talent, according to the African Union.
AI is not just technology to us; it’s an African arrow that, when thrown with the right ethical frameworks and inclusive policies, can pierce the way to African digital prosperity and resilience for the benefit of every citizen
“AI is not just technology to us; it’s an African arrow that, when thrown with the right ethical frameworks and inclusive policies, can pierce the way to African digital prosperity and resilience for the benefit of every citizen” said Lacina Koné, Director General & CEO of Smart Africa.
For Lacina Koné, the task now is to transform this relative lag into a growth lever. His vision rests on concrete facts: the rapid expansion of tech ecosystems in Nairobi, Kigali, Lagos or Accra, the proliferation of AI startups in health and fintech, and public efforts to equip the continent with a unified strategic framework.
The African Union has moreover declared in 2025 that artificial intelligence is a strategic priority for the continent’s inclusion and competitiveness.
Train, regulate, invest
The Conakry Summit will focus on three major priorities. First: training – building a generation of African data scientists and engineers capable of developing local solutions. Second: regulation – framing AI usage and guaranteeing data protection. Third: investment – key to enabling African innovations to scale globally.
According to Smart Africa, one of the major challenges remains the fragmentation of initiatives. TAS 2025 therefore aims to build regional bridges and support joint research, education and entrepreneurship programmes.
Smart Africa, driver of the digital transformation
Launched in 2013 in Kigali by seven African heads of state, Smart Africa today counts more than forty member countries representing over one billion inhabitants.
Its objective: to accelerate the continent’s digital transformation by making connectivity more affordable and by promoting an African Digital Single Market by 2030.
Through the Transform Africa Summit, its flagship event, Smart Africa seeks to translate this vision into action. This new edition, placed under the sign of artificial intelligence, must consolidate continental and global cooperation, support the emergence of African digital champions and assert a clear ambition: make Africa a sovereign and competitive player in the global digital economy.
