Diani, Kenya — The Connected Africa Summit 2025 officially kicked off on Monday in Diani, bringing together over 1,200 delegates from 24 countries in a landmark event aimed at accelerating Africa’s digital transformation. The four-day summit, which runs through Thursday, convenes top government officials, private sector leaders, tech innovators, and policymakers to explore the continent’s digital future.

Strong Emphasis on Implementation and Progress

In his opening remarks, Stanley Kamanguya, CEO of the ICT Authority of Kenya, emphasized the importance of continuity and implementation, particularly regarding the Nairobi Declaration, the outcome of last year’s summit.

“This is the second time we are converging at a continental level. The Connected Africa Summit has kicked off in a big way,” said Kamanguya. “When you look at the attendance, it tells you that we are attracting a lot of attention from around the world. This year, we are following up on the Nairobi Declaration to assess progress, challenges, and opportunities for implementation.”

Youth Empowerment and Digital Inclusivity Take Center Stage

Key themes dominating the summit include youth empowerment—with 70% of Africa’s population under 30—scaling local innovation, and harmonizing ICT policies across African nations. A central focus is also being placed on bridging the digital divide, especially in underserved and rural areas.

Kamanguya noted the summit’s potential to drive actionable policy outcomes and explore alternative financing models for expanding digital infrastructure across the continent.

Safaricom and Kenya’s Digital Vision

Cynthia Kropac, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at Safaricom, reiterated the company’s commitment to inclusive digital experiences.

“At Safaricom Business, we remain firmly committed to driving Africa’s digital future—through bold investments in connectivity, strategic partnerships, and the transformative power of artificial intelligence,” said Kropac.

The day also featured a keynote by Eng. John Tanui, CBS, Principal Secretary at the State Department for ICT and Digital Economy, titled “Positioning Kenya as Africa’s Next Hub for Outsourcing IT-Enabled Services (ITES).” The presentation outlined Kenya’s ambitions to become a regional leader in digital services and innovation.

Exploring the Future of Work and Innovation

Day one sessions covered a wide range of pressing topics including artificial intelligence, the future of work, the gig economy, 5G and next-gen connectivity, climate tech, and the critical need for digital public infrastructure.

A highlight of the summit is the Innovation Village, where local startups and tech developers are showcasing solutions to real-world challenges. A Smart Government Zone is also featured, demonstrating digital transformation projects from various public sector institutions across Africa.

Empowering Women in Tech

As part of its commitment to inclusion, the summit hosted a Women in Tech session designed to empower African women to participate in and lead within the digital economy.

Looking Ahead

With over 2,000 participants expected by the end of the week, Connected Africa Summit 2025 is poised to be a transformative event for Africa’s digital agenda. Organizers and attendees alike are optimistic that the summit will lay the groundwork for long-term, sustainable, and inclusive digital growth across the continent.