The future of Artificial Intelligence in Africa took a bold leap forward as visionaries, thought leaders, and changemakers from across the globe gathered at the Palms by Eagles, Airport City, for the 1st Pan-African AI Summit.

This was a groundbreaking event designed to spark innovation, foster collaboration, and equip Africa’s youth to thrive in the age of AI.

Spanning two days, the summit is expected to bring together a diverse mix of stakeholders from the financial sector, education, government, media, telecommunications, and the tech ecosystem, all united by a single goal: to harness the transformative power of AI to shape a more prosperous future for Africa.

In his opening remarks, Felix Donkor, one of the summit's lead organisers, underscored the magnitude of the moment.

“The wave of AI is a tectonic force that’s reshaping industries — from agriculture and healthcare to economies and entire societies. Africa cannot afford to be left behind,” Donkor stated.

He is calling on policymakers, innovators, and industry leaders to act boldly and decisively.

AI for the Next Generation

A core focus of the summit was youth empowerment. Through hands-on workshops, expert panels, and strategic networking opportunities, young participants were encouraged to see AI not as a distant or intimidating field, but as a powerful tool for solving real-world challenges — and building sustainable careers.

Carlos Amoako, another visionary behind the summit, emphasised the urgency of Africa’s involvement in the global AI movement.

“Major tech companies are investing billions in Artificial Intelligence. Africa must tap into this momentum — not just as consumers, but as creators, innovators, and leaders. AI can drastically enhance efficiency and productivity across all sectors.”

Driving Policy, Innovation & Growth

The summit is expected to be a launchpad for policy development, cross-sector partnerships, and homegrown AI solutions tailored to the continent’s unique challenges and opportunities.

Throughout the event, keynote speakers from across industries — including finance, education, tech, security, communications, and entrepreneurship — shared insights into how AI is already transforming their fields, and what Africa must do to stay ahead of the curve.

Beyond the boardrooms and panel discussions, there was a palpable sense of purpose: this was not just a conference, but a call to action.

A New Chapter Begins

As Africa stands on the brink of a digital revolution, the 1st Pan-African AI Summit marks a defining moment — one where ideas become action, and where the next generation begins to write its own AI-powered future.

With the youth at its core, and a continent ready to lead, the message from the summit was loud and clear: the time for Africa in AI is now.