GAICA 2025 : Africa takes the AI Turn
In Sousse, from November 17 to 19, 2025, Novation City is set to host the Global AI Congress Africa (GAICA 2025), an event reflecting Africa’s ambition to move from being a mere spectator to an active player in the artificial intelligence revolution. More than 6,000 participants, 134 international experts, 200 startups, and around a hundred exhibitors are expected to explore how AI can concretely transform the continent, from smart agriculture to digital health, fintechs, and sustainable cities.
By Dounia Ben Mohamed, Tunis
For Hichem Turki, CEO of Novation City, this congress is far more than a technological gathering. “GAICA 2025 is an entire week dedicated to artificial intelligence in Tunisia,” he explains. “We want to create a space where African talent and innovations meet, a catalyst for startups, and a bridge to international investors and partners.”
Driving African Solutions and Strengthening the Continent’s Role in the Global AI Race
Novation City, a true hub of technological excellence, designed this event to foster African solutions and reinforce the continent’s position in the global AI race. While the United States, China, and the European Union lead the competition, Africa is charting its own path, focusing on practical and inclusive applications. “Our goal is to make Tunisia a technological crossroads linking Africa to the rest of the world,” Hichem Turki continues. “We want our startups to create their own solutions and build a sustainable ecosystem.”
Over three days, GAICA 2025 will roll out a dense and interactive program. Participants will attend plenary sessions and thematic panels, engage in practical workshops, and discover technological demonstrations. “Every startup will have the opportunity to meet investors, expand their networks, and turn ideas into tangible projects,” emphasizes Anas Rachdi, Director of Innovation at Novation City. “We will also host hackathons and masterclasses to train the next generation of African engineers and data scientists.”
We want to give African talent global visibility, offer collaboration opportunities, and support high-impact projects for the continent
The event has already attracted the attention of major international companies such as NVIDIA and Meta, who will showcase their solutions and share their expertise. Organizers stress GAICA 2025’s strategic importance: nurturing African AI champions and attracting global partners and capital. “We want to give African talent global visibility, offer collaboration opportunities, and support high-impact projects for the continent,” they explain.
Beyond the congress, GAICA 2025 embodies Novation City’s vision: positioning Africa on the global AI map, with Tunisia as a strategic hub and gateway to the continent for tomorrow’s technologies. The rapidly growing digital ecosystem, modern infrastructure, and mechatronics expertise make Sousse a true laboratory of African innovation, where education, research, and entrepreneurship intersect.
Novation City, Driving Tunisian Innovation
Founded in 2009 on a public-private partnership model, Novation City is a driving force behind Tunisian innovation. Its mission is to develop an innovation ecosystem around mechatronics, smart cities, transportation, and connected factories. Supported by leading financial institutions and industrial groups, the cluster contributes to national economic growth while placing Africa at the heart of the technological revolution.
For more information : Novation City
