Transform Africa Summit is the annual leading African forum bringing together regional and global leaders from government, business and international organizations to collaborate on new ways of shaping, accelerating and sustaining Africa’s on-going digital revolution.
Geared towards connecting, innovating and transforming the continent into a knowledge economy thereby driving global competitiveness and job creation, Transform Africa Summit’s aim is to enable Member States to become more competitive, agile, open and innovative smart economies with the most favourable business climates that attracts large-scale investments, reward entrepreneurship and enable fast growth and exports, leveraging ICT innovations to transform African nations into smart societies.
The very first edition of Transform Africa Summit held in Kigali, Rwanda on 28th-31st October 2013 culminated in the adoption of the Smart Africa Manifesto document that aims to put ICT at the centre of National Socio-economic development agenda of member countries; improve access to ICT especially Broadband; to improve accountability, efficiency and openness through ICT promoting the introduction of advanced technologies in telecommunication; to put Private Sector first; and to leverage ICT to promote sustainable development.
Smart Africa is a bold and innovative commitment to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development on the continent, ushering Africa into a knowledge economy through affordable access to Broadband and usage of Information and Communications Technologies.
Smart Africa secretariat is headquartered in Kigali, and made of all African countries adhering to the Smart Africa Manifesto. Its founding members include the African Union (AU Commission, NEPAD Agency, specialized institutions and Regional Economic Communities), International Telecommunications Union (ITU), World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), GSM Alliance (GSMA), ICANN, African Telecommunications Union (ATU) and the Private Sector.
Transform Africa 2017, under the theme “Smart Cities – Fast Forward”, will give participants a unique opportunity to experience, discuss and debate the latest technologies for advancing the African socio-economic development through exceptional and captivating conference and meetings, exhibition and side events.
Geared towards connecting, innovating and transforming the continent into a knowledge economy thereby driving global competitiveness and job creation, Transform Africa Summit’s aim is to enable Member States to become more competitive, agile, open and innovative smart economies with the most favourable business climates that attracts large-scale investments, reward entrepreneurship and enable fast growth and exports, leveraging ICT innovations to transform African nations into smart societies.
The very first edition of Transform Africa Summit held in Kigali, Rwanda on 28th-31st October 2013 culminated in the adoption of the Smart Africa Manifesto document that aims to put ICT at the centre of National Socio-economic development agenda of member countries; improve access to ICT especially Broadband; to improve accountability, efficiency and openness through ICT promoting the introduction of advanced technologies in telecommunication; to put Private Sector first; and to leverage ICT to promote sustainable development.
Smart Africa is a bold and innovative commitment to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development on the continent, ushering Africa into a knowledge economy through affordable access to Broadband and usage of Information and Communications Technologies.
Smart Africa secretariat is headquartered in Kigali, and made of all African countries adhering to the Smart Africa Manifesto. Its founding members include the African Union (AU Commission, NEPAD Agency, specialized institutions and Regional Economic Communities), International Telecommunications Union (ITU), World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), GSM Alliance (GSMA), ICANN, African Telecommunications Union (ATU) and the Private Sector.
Transform Africa 2017, under the theme “Smart Cities – Fast Forward”, will give participants a unique opportunity to experience, discuss and debate the latest technologies for advancing the African socio-economic development through exceptional and captivating conference and meetings, exhibition and side events.
Location: Rwanda, Kigali City, Kigali
Employees: 51-200
Phone: +250 788 300 581
Mentions in press and media 24
| Date | Title | Description |
| 20.06.2025 | CAF 2025 in Cotonou: A decisive edition for digital sovereignty and resilience in Africa | Digital sovereignty, critical infrastructure, artificial intelligence, regional cooperation, inclusive innovation: the 2025 edition of CAF aims to chart the course for an African model of digital resilience. On June 24 and 25, Cotonou will ... |
| 30.04.2025 | Zimbabwe: Zoho Corp Injects $15 Million Into Zimbabwe's Digital Future | Indian cloud software giant Zoho Corporation has announced a $15 million investment in Zimbabwe aimed at accelerating the digital transformation of small and medium enterprises (SMES) and large organisations. The tech firm, which serves mor... |
| 21.04.2025 | Bridging the Digital Divide: Africa's Leap into the Future | Africa stands at a crossroads. The winds of change are blowing, fueled by technology and innovation. Events like GITEX Africa 2025 and initiatives such as Liberia's Digital Village Project signal a new era. These developments are not just a... |
| 17.04.2025 | African Students Need Fast Internet - We Have an Answer | Public-private partnerships can get African schools online quickly. It's not just about education: it's also about economic growth. Etleva Kadilli is Regional Director for UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa. With the fastest growing youth p... |
| 16.04.2025 | Africa: At GITEX Africa 2025, Huawei Reinforces Strategic Commitment To The Development of Africa's Digital and Intelligent Future | Huawei Intelligent Africa Summit 2025 was held in Marrakech alongside GITEX Africa under the theme “Amplify Intelligence for New Africa.” For its 3rd edition, GITEX put a strong spotlight on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital innovati... |
| 05.04.2025 | Africa's AI Awakening: A Call to Action | The clock is ticking. The artificial intelligence (AI) revolution is upon us, and Africa stands at a crossroads. President Paul Kagame's recent address at the Global AI Summit in Kigali was a clarion call for action. The message was clear: ... |
| 04.04.2025 | Africa Must Act Boldly and Wisely in the AI Revolution | President Paul Kagame's address at the Global AI Summit in Kigali delivered a timely and necessary wake-up call to African leaders: the artificial intelligence revolution is here, and the continent cannot afford to be left behind again. The... |
| 03.04.2025 | Africa Must Not Be Left Behind, Kagame Tells Artificial Intelligence Summit | President Paul Kagame on Thursday, April 3, issued a rallying call for African leaders to take daring actions in embracing artificial intelligence (AI), and ensure that the continent is not left behind in the technological revolution. Speak... |
| 12.12.2024 | Assises de la Transformation Digitale en Afrique - L'alliance IA / Cloud s'impose dans les priorités du continent | Rendez-vous incontournable pour l’ensemble des acteurs du numérique, la 13e édition des Assises de la Transformation Digitale en Afrique (ATDA), s’est tenue les 20 et 21 novembre 2024 à Abidjan, sous le parrainage du Ministère de la Transit... |
| 27.07.2023 | Africa: Ensuring a Healthy and Safe Digital Future for Young People | Kigali, Rwanda — In the 21st century, young people are increasingly living their lives in urban and digital spaces. Technology is no longer a mystery and has become deeply ingrained in various aspects of our lives. The rapid pace of technol... |
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