Tentative Official Program Agenda
Theme: Shaping Africa's Digital FutureMay 26-28, 2027
Day One · 26 May 2027Focusing on high-level dialogues, policy frameworks, AI governance, cross-border digital policies, and pan-African digital infrastructure.
TimeSessionSummaryOutcomeBeneficiaries
TimeSession TitleSummaryExpected OutcomeTarget Beneficiaries
TBC
Session
Sovereign Infrastructure & The Unified Digital Market
Summary
High-level opening positioning Africa as a proactive driver of the global digital decade. Focus on harmonizing digital trade under AfCFTA, expanding broadband access, and closing the 76% usage gap across Sub-Saharan Africa. We expect host country leadership and visiting African leaders from Senegal, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire Guinea, Rwanda, and Benin to lead this discussion.
Outcome
Understanding, from the perspective of key policymakers, the required frameworks and commitments for Africa to achieve digital sovereignty and establish a unified digital market.
Beneficiaries
This session aims to catalyze a strategic shift in how startups approach digital infrastructure development. Additionally, established enterprises within the digital ecosystem will gain genuine insights into policy directions to better inform internal strategies.
TBC
Session
Policy Frameworks for Ethical & Localized AI Deployment
Summary
High-level strategic dialogue convening African ICT and Digital Economy ministers, senior policymakers, and private sector leaders to establish sovereign governance frameworks aimed at capturing Africa's projected $1.2 trillion AI market opportunity by 2030. The session addresses ethical data governance, African language preservation, and public sector integration, while serving as a collaborative platform for private sector innovators to highlight regulatory bottlenecks directly to policymakers.
Outcome
A strategic paradigm shift in how AI-focused startups architect, scale, and deploy context-aware solutions across the continent, while providing venture capital investors with definitive policy clarity and a comprehensive understanding of the ecosystem's scale.
Beneficiaries
AI innovators, technology startups, venture capital funds, digital ecosystem builders, and policy research institutes.
12:30 PM
Session
Executive VIP Networking Lunch
Summary
Executive networking for policymakers, enterprise leaders, investors, and Forum partners.
Outcome
A focused space for relationship-building and cross-border collaboration.
Beneficiaries
Invited VIP delegates and Forum partners.
TBC
Session
Regional Cybersecurity Protocols & Pan-African Data Governance
Summary
CISO-level dialogue on cross-border threat intelligence, inter-state cyber threats, zero-trust security, data sovereignty, and regulatory alignment across AfCFTA member states.
Outcome
A practical demonstration highlighting critical cybersecurity threats and autonomous attack vectors; a comprehensive review of recent successful cross-border interventions against regional cybercrime. This dialogue equips enterprise leaders and corporate institutions with actionable strategies and frameworks to proactively identify, isolate, and mitigate institutional vulnerabilities and emerging cyber threats while bolstering systemic digital trust.
Beneficiaries
National cybersecurity agencies, CISOs of enterprise infrastructure, fintech platforms, data protection authorities, and policy leaders driving continental digital trade.
TBC
Session
Interoperability & Digital Economy Regulations
Summary
Policy session on Rwanda's eKash instant payment system, the Bank of Ghana's regulatory sandbox and digital asset frameworks, and cross-border licensing in Ghana, Rwanda, and Kenya.
Outcome
Actionable insights for fintech startups to master regulatory compliance and interoperability best practices, while enabling non-fintech startups and SMEs across agricultural, retail, and health sectors to leverage expanded digital payment footprints for data-driven credit scoring and alternative capital access.
Beneficiaries
Pan-African fintech founders, digital asset innovators, central bank regulators, commercial banks, and cross-sector startup leaders seeking borderless expansion and alternative financing mechanisms.
05:30 PM
Session
Networking & Cultural Reception
Summary
Evening networking for state leaders, entrepreneurs, and enterprise sponsors.
Outcome
A shared cultural and networking experience for Forum delegates.
Beneficiaries
Forum delegates, entrepreneurs, and enterprise sponsors.
Day Two · 27 May 2027Focusing on venture capital mobilization, grassroots tech ecosystem expansion, and showcasing local software solutions.
TBC
Session
Catalyzing Venture Capital & Unlocking Domestic Capital for African Tech
Summary
Panel on bridging domestic startup funding gaps, de-risking venture investments, and incentivizing institutional investment across African markets.
Outcome
Startup founders will gain a clear understanding of the domestic funding ecosystem and explore alternative pathways and strategies for scaling without solely relying or waiting on traditional venture funding.
Beneficiaries
Early-stage founders, startup leaders, institutional investors, and venture capital funds.
11:00 AM
Session
Networking Break & Startup Village Walkthrough
Summary
Exploring curated African startup booths in the Startup Village.
Outcome
Direct connections between founders, investors, partners, and prospective customers.
Beneficiaries
Startup Village Exhibitors
TBC
Session
E-Mobility & Urban Transit: Scaling Electric BRT & Clean Transport Ecosystems
Summary
High-level strategic session drawing from Dakar's landmark all-electric Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, which deployed 121 electric buses serving 300,000 daily passengers, cut travel times by 50%, and eliminated 59,000 tons of CO2 annually. The session explores how physical transit infrastructure and digital layers allow African cities to leapfrog carbon-intensive transport.
Outcome
Operational blueprints and key lessons from Dakar's success are shared to empower nations like Ghana and other African markets entering the e-mobility space with actionable strategies for financing, grid integration, digital payment alignment, and policy frameworks.
Beneficiaries
E-mobility startups and innovators, municipal transit authorities, ministries of transport and urban planning, green infrastructure investors, and clean energy ecosystem builders.
01:00 PM
Session
Networking Lunch & Deal Room Engagements
Summary
Open Networking & Private Investment Lounges
Outcome
Private conversations connecting capital, ideas, and investable opportunities.
Beneficiaries
Founders, investors, partners, and prospective customers.
TBC
Session
Scaling Localized Software & Contextual Digital Tools
Summary
Spotlight on grassroots innovators, local-language digital solutions, and community hubs expanding internet access and technology literacy across rural areas. This session explores software localization, African languages UI/UX design, offline-first digital architecture, and community-driven technology deployment.
Outcome
Participants gain practical tools, frameworks, and actionable approaches for localizing software, adapting user interfaces to local languages/dialects, and designing contextually relevant digital tools for low-bandwidth and offline environments. Founders and product teams will leave with proven strategies for accelerating technology adoption and building digital literacy across diverse grassroots communities.
Beneficiaries
Grassroots innovators, software developers, UI/UX product designers, rural community hub leads, civic tech builders, tech non-profits, and venture builders focused on emerging market solutions.
05:15 PM
Session
Startup Expo Evening Mixer & Founders Social
Summary
Informal networking event for entrepreneurs, investors, and startup mentors.
Outcome
New connections and practical conversations across the startup ecosystem.
Beneficiaries
Entrepreneurs, investors, startup mentors, and ecosystem partners.
Visitors
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