Rwanda To Host Africa’s First AI Summit In 2024 For African Businesses

Rwanda is set to host the first big AI summit in Africa in 2024. This event is organized by Rwanda’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) and the World Economic Forum (WEF). 

The goal is to bring African countries and their businesses together to discuss AI risks, barriers, and chances. They want to make a plan for AI in Africa.

Paula Ingabire, Rwanda’s Minister of Information Communication Technology and Innovation, said this at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. She mentioned how Africa’s young people can play a big role in the global AI field and help their economies grow.

Rwanda, under President Paul Kagame, is part of the AI Governance Alliance at the WEF. They want to be active in shaping AI’s future, not just following others.

The Rwanda AI summit, called ‘AI and Africa’s Demographic Dividend: Reimagining Economic Opportunities for Africa’s Workforce,’ will bring together government and business leaders, as well as experts from academia and civil society. 

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They will focus on how AI can help Africa’s workforce and address challenges related to access and inclusion.

The AI Governance Alliance (AIGA) aims to make sure AI is available to everyone. The summit is part of this goal. It will gather leaders from different parts of the world, especially those from less-represented areas.

C4IR Rwanda, which started in 2020, is the only center of its kind in Africa. It focuses on AI and data governance. The center helped the Rwandan government create its National AI Policy in 2023. With this summit, they want to show how AI can solve specific problems in Africa.

Crystal Rugege, Managing Director of C4IR Rwanda, said this event is important for discussing AI in the African context. It’s a chance for Africa to use AI for growth and to make sure its benefits are shared fairly.

Rwanda is also using this summit to showcase the Kigali International Financial Center. They want to show how AI can be used to face African challenges and opportunities, focusing on access and inclusion.