Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has projected that artificial intelligence could contribute up to 5 percent of the country’s GDP, as African nations embrace a new wave of technological transformation. Speaking at the Transform Africa Summit in Conakry, Guinea, Kagame said that AI presents a powerful tool to boost sectors like education and agriculture, provided the right policies and partnerships are in place.
He explained that Rwanda has already made foundational moves by putting in place a national AI policy aimed at ensuring the technology’s adoption is both responsible and purposeful. “We have laid the ground with the development of a national AI policy to guide our ambitions,” he said.
Kagame noted that when the Transform Africa Summit was first launched in Kigali over ten years ago, the focus was on broadband access and digital infrastructure. That effort grew into the Smart Africa Alliance, a coalition of 42 countries working to bring Africa into the digital age. “The commitment we made at the beginning of this journey still stands,” he said. “But today we face a more complex world where cutting-edge technologies evolve much faster.”
He highlighted Africa’s youth as a major asset. “Our competitiveness will depend not only on the speed of adoption but on choosing the right use cases tailored to local needs,” Kagame said. He urged African governments and private sector leaders to close the infrastructure, skills, and research gap through stronger collaboration.
On concerns around job losses, privacy, and safety, Kagame acknowledged that fears exist but said many are rooted in uncertainty. “Artificial intelligence is more than just technology; it is an opportunity to rethink Africa’s development through our talent, creativity, and realities,” he said.
Lacina Koné, Director General of Smart Africa, echoed his remarks during the summit’s opening, emphasising that AI must serve as a transformative force. “Our objective is to build an inclusive, competitive, and sustainable African digital ecosystem,” she added.
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