Some key highlights of the summit
High-Level Participation
Focus Areas
Exhibitions & Networking
Impact
Powering Africa’s AI Ambitions with Next-Gen Infrastructure
AI cannot thrive in a vacuum. Its success depends on reliable digital infrastructure, scalable computing power, and secure connectivity—the very foundation of a future-ready Africa. At the heart of Smart Africa’s mission is a commitment to bridging infrastructure gaps, enabling affordable access, and fostering strategic investments to unlock the continent’s full digital potential.
The Connect Hub at TAS 2025 is where Africa’s AI ambitions meet the power of technology. This space is dedicated to deep, solutions-oriented conversations around the infrastructure needed to support and scale AI across the continent—from cloud and edge computing to energy-efficient data centers, AI-powered 5G networks, and next-gen user devices.
The Connect Hub is where the continent’s most ambitious digital architects gather to ensure Africa’s infrastructure is ready to support its rise as a global AI leader.
Key Features & Activities
- Technical Panels & Fireside Chats – Featuring top voices from government, industry, and academia
- Infrastructure Innovation Showcases – Live demos and exhibitions of cutting-edge infrastructure solutions
- High-Level Investment Roundtables – Connecting infrastructure projects with funding partners
- Policy Labs – Co-creating regulatory frameworks that support AI infrastructure growth
- Startup Spotlight – Highlighting African ventures solving infrastructure challenges through AI
- Networking Pods – Curated meetups for ecosystem players to spark collaboration
Fuelling Africa’s AI Revolution Through Talent, Startups & Scalable Solutions
Africa’s AI future is being shaped by bold innovators, visionary entrepreneurs, and a rising generation of digital talent creating solutions uniquely designed for the continent.
The Innovate Hub at TAS 2025 is where their stories, ideas, and breakthroughs come alive.
Aligned with Smart Africa’s commitment to nurturing a thriving innovation ecosystem, this dynamic space brings together AI startups, researchers, academia, investors, and policymakers to collaborate, inspire, and unlock new pathways for scale. Several high-impact deliverables will be unveiled in this hub, including a new digital platform to coordinate Africa’s innovation stakeholders, a strategic investor roundtable, and a capacity-building bootcamp for entrepreneurship enablers.
At the heart of the hub is the Talent & Skills Marketplace, connecting Africa’s brightest minds—students, developers, digital entrepreneurs—with hiring companies, governments, and impact-driven investors. With dedicated areas for skills development workshops, AI demos, and startup showcases, the Innovate Hub is designed to accelerate both human capacity and homegrown innovation.
And of course, the iconic Face the Gorilla pitch competition returns—offering startups a rare chance to pitch to some of the world’s most influential investors. Alongside it, the Miss Geek competition will continue to inspire young girls to pursue bold, tech-driven futures.
Key Features & Activities
- Talent & Skills Marketplace – Matchmaking AI talent with employers, investors, and policymakers
- Startup & Innovator Showcases – Dedicated demo spaces for African AI-powered solutions
- Face the Gorilla – High-stakes pitch competition for high-potential startups
- Miss Geek – Celebrating and inspiring girls in STEM and AI innovation
- Live Panels & Fireside Chats – Expert conversations on funding, talent, and innovation scale
- Skills Development Workshops – AI-focused capacity building and practical training
- Investor & Industry Networking – Connecting entrepreneurs with capital, mentors, and partners
Shaping Africa’s Future Through Data, Ethics & Inclusive AI Governance
Data is the lifeblood of digital transformation, and in Africa’s AI journey, it holds the power to reshape how governments serve, how societies thrive, and how trust is built in the digital age.
The Transform Hub at TAS 2025 is a collaborative think space where bold ideas and frameworks come together to shape the ethical, secure, and inclusive governance of AI and data across Africa. This hub will convene several high-level events, including the regional policy dialogues on interoperability and data exchange, and technical working sessions on policy harmonization in digital public services.
Aligned with Smart Africa’s vision for people-centered digital transformation, this hub will bring together policymakers, technologists, civil society, AI ethicists, and development actors to explore how Africa can lead with purpose in the age of intelligent data systems.
At the heart of this agenda is the Smart Africa Trust Alliance (SATA) — Africa’s flagship framework for enabling trusted cross-border data flows, supporting data sovereignty, and laying the foundation for pan-African collaboration on AI development and deployment.
SATA empowers Member States to build interoperable digital trust frameworks that respect national laws while creating a harmonized, secure environment for innovation to thrive.
The Transform Hub is where Africa takes control of its digital future—ensuring that data serves the people, AI is governed responsibly, and technology becomes a force for inclusive and transparent transformation across the continent.
Key Features & Activities
- High-Level Policy Dialogues – Government leaders and regulators unpacking and finding the sweet spot between AI governance, data privacy and innovation.
- Expert Panels & Fireside Chats – Exploring the intersection of ethics, inclusion, and innovation
- Interactive Case Labs – Real-world showcases of AI’s role in public service transformation
- SATA Roundtable – Deep dive into how Member States are enabling trust and interoperability
- Data for Development Sessions & public forums – Exploring how responsible AI can drive meaningful social impact.
- Sessions on interoperability, policy harmonization, and secure digital services
Transforming Sports, Art, Music, and Storytelling in Africa:
This aims to explore the transformative impact of AI on Africa’s creative economy, including music, film, fashion, digital art, and storytelling. It will highlight how AI-driven tools are enhancing artistic expression, enabling new business models, and preserving African culture through digital innovation. The discussions will address the opportunities and challenges AI presents, such as intellectual property rights, algorithmic bias, and ethical content creation, while showcasing African innovators and creatives leveraging AI to scale their work globally. Ultimately, this session will drive conversations on how AI can be a catalyst for inclusive growth, cultural empowerment, and economic transformation in Africa’s creative industries.
This space is a playground for innovation, bringing together artists, musicians, athletes, filmmakers, and AI pioneers to explore how technology is reshaping Africa’s creative industries.
From AI-generated films to next-gen sports analytics and AI-driven music production, this hub is not just about discussions—it’s about experiencing AI in action!
This hub gives an immersive experience on AI, whether you’re an artist, a sports enthusiast, a musician, or a tech lover, the AI & Creative Economy Hub is where imagination meets innovation to redefine the future of African creativity.
Must-See Experiences in the AI & Creative Economy Hub
- AI vs. Human DJ Battle – Witness a live showdown between a top African DJ and an AI-powered DJ. Who will mix the beats better? You decide!
- AI Movie Creation Booth – Step into a futuristic studio where you write a story and watch AI bring it to life on screen—in real-time!
- AI-Generated Art & Storytelling – Explore interactive exhibits showcasing AI-assisted African art and digital storytelling.
- AI in Sports & Gaming – Experience how AI is transforming athlete performance, e-sports, and game development in Africa.
- Live Panels & Fireside Chats – Industry leaders, artists, and tech experts dive into topics like:
- AI-powered music production & remixing
- AI’s role in storytelling & content creation
- Sports analytics & AI-driven athlete training
- AI-generated art & digital collectibles (NFTs in Africa)
- Interactive Installations – Engage with AI-driven creative experiences, from virtual reality storytelling to live digital art projections.