The 7th edition of the Transform Africa Summit (TAS) opened on 12 November 2025 in Conakry, Guinea, marking a pivotal moment for Africa’s digital transformation. Organized by the Smart Africa Alliance in partnership with the Government of Guinea, the summit focused on ai technology Africa, showcasing the continent’s capacity to innovate and drive economic growth. This year’s theme, “AI for Africa: Innovate Locally, Impact Globally,” positioned Conakry at the heart of Africa’s emerging technology landscape.
Guinea Takes the Lead in Digital Transformation
For three days, Conakry became a hub for the future of Africa tech, demonstrating Guinea’s ambition to leverage technology for inclusive development and sovereignty. Guinea’s Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy, Rose Pola Pricemou, highlighted key initiatives under the Simandou 2040 Strategy, including the Tier III Data Center, the reinstated .GN domain, and digital modernization platforms such as FUGAS for civil service management and TELEMO for public procurement.
Infrastructure developments have also accelerated, with Guinea quadrupling its fiber-optic network to over 12,000 km, enhancing regional connectivity and supporting a second submarine cable. The country is scaling digital skills by connecting 500+ schools through the GIGA initiative and is planning a national technopark to anchor innovation. These steps lay the foundation for Guinea’s national AI strategy, developed in collaboration with UNDP.
Driving an Inclusive Digital Revolution
Smart Africa’s Director General, Lacina Koné, emphasized the strategic role of AI in reshaping Africa’s development. “Artificial intelligence is more than technology—it is a chance to redefine Africa’s development using our own creativity, talent, and realities. Our task is to ensure AI becomes a tool of transformation benefiting African citizens,” said Koné.
High-Level Engagement and Global Participation
The opening ceremony featured H.E. Mamadi Doumbouya, President of Guinea, and H.E. Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda and Chairperson of the Smart Africa Board. Leaders stressed the importance of collaboration, infrastructure investment, and policy reform to advance Africa’s ai technology Africa agenda.
The summit attracted over 3,000 participants from more than 40 countries, including representatives from ITU, UNESCO, UNDP, the World Bank, regional economic blocs, and major tech companies such as Meta, Microsoft, Huawei, and Kaspersky. Ten African ministers of digital economy and innovation participated, reinforcing TAS as a premier platform for shaping the future of Africa tech.
Shaping Africa’s Digital Future
TAS 2025 featured plenary discussions, workshops, exhibitions, and live demonstrations, connecting policymakers, investors, innovators, and youth. By catalyzing dialogue and partnerships, the summit highlighted Africa’s capacity to build a thriving, homegrown technology ecosystem.
“Africa’s digital future will be built by Africans, on African soil, for the benefit of African citizens. That vision is on full display here in Conakry,” said a participant at the opening ceremony.
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This story was first reported by APO Group. Read the full article here.
