2025 marks a defining moment for Africa’s technology ambitions, with Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, emerging as center stage for high-level conversations on digital transformation.
From artificial intelligence and fintech to connectivity, cybersecurity and blockchain innovation, the city hosted a series of continental and global forums that moved discussions beyond theory to partnerships, policy commitments, multilateral cooperation and action.
Throughout the year, policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors flocked to the city for summits, research conferences, and innovation showcases, reinforcing Kigali’s reputation as a center for technology-driven development and intercontinental cooperation.
Here are some of the key technology events that shaped Rwanda and Africa’s technology ecosystem in 2025.
Inclusive Fintech Forum (IFF)
The 2nd Inclusive FinTech Forum, held in February 2025, attracted over 3,000 participants including government officials, technology experts, financial institutions, and investors.
Also read: Kagame’s roots of favorable business environment, harmonized fintech regulation
Organized by the Kigali International Financial Center (KIFC) in collaboration with Singapore’s Erebandi and the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR), the forum examined how fintech can drive financial inclusion across Africa.
Discussions focused on strengthening the fintech ecosystem, equipping Africa’s SMEs for the digital ecosystem, opening up fintech investments for financial inclusion, AfCFTA’s vision for digital trade, modernizing insurance provision in Africa, and the continent’s credit gap, among others.
Global AI Summit on Africa
In April, Rwanda hosted the first Global AI Summit on Africa. The high-level meeting focused on examining Africa’s role in the global artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem, including the technology’s impact on job creation and economic growth.
The summit, hosted by Rwanda Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR), was themed: “AI and Africa’s Demographic Dividend: Reimagining Economic Opportunities for Africa’s Workforce.” It attracted over 1,000 participants, over 100 AI companies, and representatives from 95 countries.
According to C4IR data, AI could add up to $2.9 trillion to African economies. The summit concluded with the adoption of the African Declaration on Artificial Intelligence, which commits the continent to responsibly leverage AI for inclusive and sustainable development.
Among its ambitions is the creation of an African AI Council and the proposed creation of a $60 billion African AI Fund to support the growth of the ecosystem.
Mobile World Congress (MWC) Africa 2025
Africa’s largest connectivity summit, Mobile World Congress Africa, held in October focused on turning advances in artificial intelligence and fintech into tangible economic benefits.
Also read: From policy to action: How Kigali became ground zero for Africa’s connectivity revolution
Africa’s telecommunications sector is experiencing rapid growth and is expected to exceed $82 billion by 2029, driven primarily by a young population and growing smartphone penetration, and the event provided a platform for governments and industry stakeholders to align on infrastructure and policy priorities.
One of the conference’s key outcomes was the launch of the Handset Affordability Coalition, a collaborative initiative aimed at reducing the cost of Internet-enabled devices. The coalition brings together major telecom operators such as Airtel, Axian Telecom, Ethio Telecom, MTN, Orange and Vodacom, as well as global institutions such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the World Bank.
Africa Blockchain Festival
The Africa Blockchain Festival, held from November 7th to 10th at the Kigali Convention Center, attracted more than 1,000 participants to explore how blockchain technology and artificial intelligence can reshape Africa’s economic future.
Also read: ‘It’s time for Africa to move from being a technology consumer to an innovator’, says expert
Experts attending the festival urged African countries to go beyond consuming imported technologies and invest in developing indigenous blockchain and AI solutions. Discussions centered on using these technologies to promote transparency, financial inclusion and sustainable development across key sectors.
Africa Cyber Defense Forum
As internet usage continues to increase across the continent, cybersecurity has become a major concern. The 6th Africa Cyber Defense Forum brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and cybersecurity experts to discuss how Africa can secure a rapidly expanding digital economy while reducing its dependence on foreign technology.
Minister of ICT and Innovation Paula Ingabire spoke at the forum and warned of the scale of cyber threats facing the continent.
“Cybercrime has already caused billions of dollars in damages, but it goes beyond that by undermining trust and threatening national sovereignty,” Ingabire said. “If one African country becomes vulnerable, the entire continent is at risk.”
Mr Ingabire highlighted Rwanda’s efforts to strengthen digital resilience, including the establishment of a Continental Cyber Hub Center of Excellence for research, training and collaboration.
Africa Health Tech Summit
The three-day Africa Health Tech Summit was held at KCC in October, bringing together more than 1,800 experts, innovators and policy makers from across the continent to explore solutions and strategies for healthcare in Africa.
Also read: Africa in urgent need of digital health solutions – experts
During the summit, experts emphasized that technology offers a unique opportunity to transform healthcare delivery for 1.5 billion people.
African Conference on Machine Learning, Optimization and Applications (MLOA)
The 2nd African Conference on Machine Learning, Optimization and Applications (MLOA) held in Kigali on September 23 brought together leading scientists and researchers to advance discussions on locally developed AI solutions.
Participants emphasized the need for technology tailored to Africa’s needs in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, water management and energy.
AIMS Rwanda’s German research chair, Abebe Geretu, warned against over-reliance on foreign-developed AI tools.
He noted that the conference provided African students and researchers with world-class expertise, helped guide research priorities and encouraged innovation-driven entrepreneurship.
