The Connected Africa Summit 2025 was officially launched on Monday in Diani, Kenya, bringing together more than 1,200 participants from 24 countries. The four-day event, running through Thursday, is a landmark convergence of government leaders, private sector stakeholders, tech innovators, and policymakers—all united in pushing Africa’s digital transformation to new heights.
Opening the summit, Stanley Kamanguya, CEO of Kenya’s ICT Authority, emphasised the need for action, particularly in realising the commitments outlined in the Nairobi Declaration from the previous summit.
“This is the second time we’re coming together at a continental scale,” Kamanguya noted. “The strong turnout signals global interest in Africa’s digital journey. This year, we’re tracking the progress of the Nairobi Declaration—its successes, hurdles, and potential paths forward.”
Key themes driving this year’s discussions include youth empowerment (with Africa’s under-30 population comprising 70% of its total), the scaling of homegrown innovations, aligning ICT regulations across borders, and bridging the continent’s digital divide. Kamanguya also stressed the need for pragmatic policy proposals and fresh approaches to financing Africa’s digital infrastructure.
Cynthia Kropac, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at Safaricom, reinforced the company’s commitment to inclusive digital progress.
“At Safaricom Business, we’re investing in connectivity, forging meaningful partnerships, and embracing the power of AI to build smarter, more accessible digital experiences,” said Kropac. “We’re proud to be a driver of economic growth and community empowerment across the continent.”
A keynote address by Eng. John Tanui, CBS Principal Secretary of the State Department for ICT and Digital Economy, spotlighted Kenya’s ambition to become a regional hub for outsourcing IT-enabled services. His speech, themed “Positioning Kenya as Africa’s Next Hub for Outsourcing ITES,” highlighted the country’s strategic push in digital services.
The summit’s first day also featured dynamic panels on the evolving landscape of work, artificial intelligence, the gig economy, 5G, climate technology, and the critical importance of digital public infrastructure. These sessions aim to foster collaboration across sectors and fuel innovation.
Participants can also explore the Innovation Village—an interactive showcase of local startups and developers presenting practical tech solutions to pressing challenges. Additionally, a Smart Government Zone is on display, featuring digital transformation initiatives from public institutions across Africa.
Promoting gender equity in the tech space, a dedicated Women in Tech session is spotlighting the contributions and leadership of African women in the digital economy.
With more than 2,000 attendees expected by week’s end, the Connected Africa Summit 2025 is shaping up to be a defining event in steering Africa toward a more connected, inclusive, and digitally empowered future.
