Tech leaders, executives, and policymakers gathered at the TechTrends AI Breakfast Forum yesterday to dissect the promise and challenges of artificial intelligence in Africa. The event, held at Hyatt Place Nairobi, moved beyond the usual AI hype to address practical applications, ethical considerations, and the urgent need for digital inclusion on the continent.
The forum’s theme, “AI-Powered Transformation: Unlocking Africa’s Next Growth Frontier,” set the stage for a day of candid conversations about how AI is already reshaping African businesses and what it will take to ensure its benefits are widely shared.
Annepeace Alwala, Vice President of Global Service Delivery at Sama, delivered a powerful keynote, emphasizing that AI’s success in Africa is inextricably linked to inclusive growth. “Africa is at a pivotal point where technology and innovation can accelerate development like never before,” Alwala stated. “AI offers us a unique opportunity to leapfrog barriers, improve productivity, and create new jobs for our people.”
Alwala also highlighted the critical role of human-powered data in the AI ecosystem, noting that the teams from Kibera who train data for autonomous vehicles are a testament to African talent fueling global innovation. “AI cannot breathe without people; data is its oxygen,” she asserted. “If the data is flawed, the model won’t work.”
The forum also featured a series of “TechTrends Live” podcast panels, where industry leaders from Samsung Electronics East Africa, AI Kenya, iTel Mobile, and CyberPro delved into the nitty-gritty of enterprise AI applications, workforce upskilling, and the ethical guardrails needed for responsible AI deployment.
“AI is not about some futuristic tools but about addressing the daily business issues in the present day such as improving workforce productivity and enhancing cybersecurity,” said Ryan Mule, Product Manager at Samsung Electronics East Africa.
The discussions also underscored the importance of digital inclusion, with Ryan Zhang of iTel Mobile emphasizing that it requires more than just affordable devices. “Digital inclusion demands affordable data, localized solutions, and stronger digital literacy,” he said.
Nixon Kanali, the founder of TechTrends Media and host of The TechTrends Podcast, said the forum was designed to make AI more accessible and actionable for organizations of all sizes. “Our mission with the AI Breakfast Forum is to demystify AI and show how it can practically transform businesses, SMEs, and communities in Kenya and across Africa,” Kanali said.
The event concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing key contributors to the African tech ecosystem, followed by a networking lunch that brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to foster new collaborations. While the forum celebrated the immense potential of AI in Africa, it also served as a sober reminder that the continent’s AI-powered future will depend on a concerted effort to build an inclusive and equitable digital economy.
