The summit, organised by Smart Africa in partnership with the Government of Guinea, marked the first time Francophone West Africa hosted Africa’s flagship technology gathering.
Under the theme “AI for Africa: Innovate Locally, Impact Globally,” the summit showcased Africa’s shared commitment to leveraging technology for sovereignty, economic growth, and inclusive development. Smart Africa, a bloc of 42 member states, highlighted flagship initiatives such as SANIA, SADX (Smart Africa Data Exchange Platform), and Digital ID.
SANIA, for example, is designed to foster cross-border collaboration among investors, startups, accelerators, and institutions. Ralph Oyini, Director of Digital Transformation and Services at Smart Africa, said, “Africa has the money, the investors, the startups, and the innovation — but too often, these ecosystems operate in silos. SANIA is here to bring them together and connect them.”
For instance, the platform can help entrepreneurs in Conakry to connect seamlessly with investors in Lagos, creating a coordinated pan-African innovation ecosystem.
