Kenya hosts AI summit as leaders push for digital sovereignty

The inaugural AI Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya conference opened in Nairobi on Tuesday, with leaders calling for increased investment in digital infrastructure, local AI development, and stronger regional cooperation to help Africa compete globally in artificial intelligence.

The three-day event, organised by inD in partnership with the Office of the Special Envoy on Technology, is being held at the Sarit Expo Centre and the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

Speaking during the opening session, Special Envoy on Technology Ambassador Philip Thigo said Africa must position AI as an economic and investment opportunity rather than only a technology issue.

“Africa’s role in AI must be articulated as an investment agenda. AI is not about ICT alone; AI is literally AI everything,” said Thigo.

He noted that while Africa still faces challenges in infrastructure, energy, and connectivity, the continent possesses key resources needed for the AI economy, including talent, data, minerals, and growing digital infrastructure.

“The Silicon Savanna has come of age. Africa is open for business, open for investment, and ready to shape the future of artificial intelligence,” he added.

More than 400 technology executives, investors, policymakers, and government officials from across Africa are attending the summit, where discussions have focused on how AI can transform sectors such as agriculture, banking, healthcare, education, energy, cybersecurity, and trade.

Officials also emphasised the need for AI systems that reflect African realities and support digital inclusion.

Tanzania ICT Commission Director General Dr. Nkundwe Mwasaga said East African countries must strengthen cooperation in digital skills development, research, innovation, and cybersecurity to support long-term digital transformation.

“The transformation of businesses, industries, and economies will lead to digital sovereignty in our region,” he said.

A key topic during the summit was digital sovereignty, with speakers urging African countries to develop greater control over data, cloud infrastructure, and AI systems while remaining connected to global innovation networks.

iXAfrica Data Centres Chief Executive Officer Snehar Shah said Kenya is well positioned to become a regional AI hub due to its growing data infrastructure, renewable energy supply, and data protection frameworks.

“We have really set the platforms, the fundamentals, and the foundations to make AI available locally for enterprises and consumers to use,” Shah said.

The summit also highlighted growing efforts by African countries to develop national AI strategies and support local innovation ecosystems.

Mozambique’s National Institute of Information and Communication Technologies Board Chairman Dr. 

Lourinho Chamane said African countries should invest in local AI development and language models tailored to African languages.

“It is important for countries not to be only consumers of AI products and services, but also producers and contributors to the digital economy,” Chamane said.

Discussions also focused on commercialising African-built AI products and moving beyond pilot projects into scalable businesses.

PAWA AI founder Winnie Mangeni said East Africa is increasingly positioning itself as a builder of AI solutions rather than merely a consumer of foreign technologies.

“Our work at PAWA AI has shown just how much untapped potential exists here,” she said.

The event marks the latest expansion of GITEX, one of the world’s largest technology and startup event networks, which now hosts conferences across 14 countries.

GITEX global organiser Chief Executive Officer Trixie LohMirmand said AI is reshaping economies and geopolitics, creating opportunities for emerging markets such as East Africa.

“East Africa has already shown the world how it can leapfrog industries through digital innovation and now has the opportunity to become a globally competitive AI and infrastructure powerhouse,” she said.

The conference continues on Wednesday with the AI Everything Kenya Expo at KICC, where technology companies and startups are expected to showcase AI-driven products and infrastructure solutions.