Kenya is poised to make history as it prepares to host the continent’s first Africa Artificial Intelligence Policy and Innovation Conference (AIPAC 2025), a landmark gathering aimed at positioning Africa as a proactive architect in global AI governance and innovation.
Scheduled for August 25–28 in Mombasa, the four-day summit will bring together over 1,500 participants, including policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and educators from across the globe. Far from a typical tech expo, AIPAC 2025 is intentionally framed as a policy-first, future-oriented platform designed to embed AI within Africa’s development strategy.
“This is Kenya’s declaration that we are not sitting on the sidelines,” said Harun Katusya, Chair of the AIPAC 2025 Secretariat. “AIPAC is not just a dialogue—it is the launchpad for institutional and continental action.”
The summit arrives at a crucial moment, as Kenya intensifies efforts to evolve from an AI consumer to a global contributor in the AI knowledge economy. AIPAC aims to catalyse cross-border policy collaboration, stimulate investment in Africa’s emerging AI sector, and develop talent pipelines across the continent.
Organisers emphasise that a core goal of the conference is to help African countries co-design national AI strategies that reflect their unique contexts while adhering to international best practices. High-level policy labs and investor matchmaking forums will run alongside workshops focused on data governance, ethics, public sector integration, and AI capacity-building.
“Africa’s digital future hinges on how we manage and scale artificial intelligence,” said Prof. Lydia Nyambura, a tech policy expert at Strathmore University. “Kenya is making a calculated move to lead that conversation and bridge the gap between innovation and regulation.”
AIPAC will also spotlight sector-specific AI applications through “Tech for Impact” tracks covering healthcare, agriculture, education, climate adaptation, finance, and governance. These sessions are designed to highlight African-led innovations while encouraging regional knowledge exchange and collaboration.
International venture capitalists and private sector executives are expected to attend, drawn by the potential of scalable AI solutions being built by African startups.
“This is a rare opportunity for early-stage founders to pitch directly to investors—and to align their solutions with continental priorities,” said Fatima Odede, a Nairobi-based AI entrepreneur.
Kenya also plans to use the platform to push for continental integration measures, including a pan-African AI research fund, shared data infrastructure, and responsible AI governance frameworks.
The event will conclude with the signing of the “Mombasa Declaration on Responsible AI in Africa”, a non-binding but symbolically powerful framework outlining shared commitments around ethical AI development, education, infrastructure investment, and inclusive innovation.
With AIPAC 2025, Kenya is sending a clear message: Africa is not just participating in the global AI movement—it is shaping it.
Article by RB Reporter
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