Transform Africa Summit 2025 : Conakry leads the way toward an inclusive and sovereign African AI

By Dounia Ben Mohamed, in Conakry — Video report by Emmanuel Millimono

Held under the high patronage of President Mamadi Doumbouya and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame, Chairman of the Smart Africa Board, the summit opened in an atmosphere of pride and optimism. “We are honored to host this 7th edition of the Transform Africa Summit, perfectly aligned with my vision for sustainable and responsible socio-economic development for the next fifteen years,” declared President Mamadi Doumbouya.

Welcome to the African land of Guinea — our paradise, a land of wealth and innovation

The Head of State described the event — which Guinea had aspired to host since 2020 — as a decisive moment for both the nation and the continent: “Welcome to the African land of Guinea — our paradise, a land of wealth and innovation,” he proclaimed, reaffirming his commitment to make digital technology a pillar of sovereignty and growth.

Emphasizing the continuity between Kigali and Conakry, President Paul Kagame, co-founder of Smart Africa, urged: “We must learn to live with artificial intelligence. It is neither the first nor the last wave of technological progress. Science and technology are powerful drivers of creativity and performance — not threats. Let’s fully embrace the opportunities of our time.”

Our success will not be measured by the speed of our progress, but by the relevance of the problems we choose to solve

And he reminded the audience: “Our success will not be measured by the speed of our progress, but by the relevance of the problems we choose to solve.”

From Mining to Digital: Guinea in Transition

A symbol of a country in full transition, Guinea, which just inaugurated the largest mining project in its history, is now hosting Africa’s largest technology summit. “Yesterday (November 11, 2025), Guinea launched Africa’s biggest mining project. Today, it welcomes the continent’s biggest digital summit. Two events, two symbols, one message: our nation is entering a new era,” announced Rose Pola Pricemou, Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and the Digital Economy.

As she summarized:“A deliberate transition — from mining to digital.”

The Simandou 2040 program, she explained, positions digital transformation as a driver of national sovereignty — with the construction of a Tier 3 national data center, submarine cable connection, over 500 connected schools, regional digital hubs, and a national technopole.

We need AI that reflects our needs, our cultures, and our realities

For Rose Pola Pricemou, the challenge is to build an African, inclusive, and contextualized AI: “We need AI that reflects our needs, our cultures, and our realities. Guinea, surrounded by six countries and connected through a regional backbone, has the means to build a shared and operational AI ecosystem.”

Highlighting the growing alliance between Guinea and Rwanda, she added: “We are launching TéLémo, the national public procurement platform developed with Rwanda. This proves that Africa can deliver concrete results through Smart Africa. After Kigali, Conakry is opening the path toward an AI that serves youth, women, and entrepreneurs. This summit is not an end — it’s the beginning of a new era.”

We have transformed Smart Africa from a consultation platform into an operational institution. Our mission is clear: to make Africa’s digital transformation a collective and sustainable success

For Lacina Koné, Director General of Smart Africa, this edition marks a historic milestone in the realization of the pan-African digital vision.

“At the 2023 Transform Africa Summit, His Excellency President Paul Kagame urged us to act quickly — to embrace artificial intelligence with boldness. That call was a wake-up call, an invitation to act. Two years later, here in Conakry, we can confidently say: Africa has heard that call. We have moved from conversation to coordination, and from ambition to action.”

The Smart Africa Alliance now counts 42 member states, representing over 2.2 billion people, with unprecedented financial mobilization and concrete projects such as One Africa Network, Smart Broadband 2025, and the Smart Africa Digital Academy.

“We have transformed Smart Africa from a consultation platform into an operational institution. Our mission is clear: to make Africa’s digital transformation a collective and sustainable success,” Koné emphasized.

He added: “Artificial intelligence is not just a technology; it is an opportunity to rethink our development based on our realities and our talents.”

Digital Africa is on the move — and Guinea is moving with it

From mining to innovation, Guinea now aims to make artificial intelligence a lever for inclusion, employment, and growth. The message is clear: Digital Africa is on the move — and Conakry is driving it forward.

A highlight of the opening ceremony was the performance by Black M, the Guinean artist who electrified the audience with a show symbolizing Pan-Africanism and unity.

Until November 14, the summit will feature panels, exhibitions, and bilateral meetings focused on AI, connectivity, cybersecurity, and African innovation. Among the standout moments is the Miss Geek Africa competition, encouraging young girls to innovate through technology.

“Digital Africa is on the move — and Guinea is moving with it,” concluded Minister Rose Pola Pricemou.