The final day of the 28th annual Africa Tech Festival 2025 delivered a resounding message: Africa is accelerating on a technology path unlike anywhere else in the world — and its digital future is boundless.
Held in Cape Town, the festival showcased how a young population, rising digital economy, and growing innovation capacity are positioning the continent to assert true digital sovereignty in the global tech landscape.
AI Talent Pipeline Takes Centre Stage
A headline keynote, Closing the Talent Gap to Power Africa’s AI Economy, spotlighted one of the festival’s biggest themes: the urgent need to scale digital literacy and AI education across Africa.
Moderator Dr. Miriam Altman led a dynamic discussion with Mary Mahuma (Philip Morris SA), Sipho Mtombeni (Google), and Shamiela Letsoalo (Naspers/Ecommerce Forum SA). Together, they underscored the continent’s need for a workforce equipped with critical thinking, problem-solving capabilities, and adaptable “AI-enabled” skills.
The panel stressed that scalable talent models and partnerships are essential to preparing Africa’s youth for a new generation of digital jobs.
Data Infrastructure and Governance in Focus
At The AI Summit, the session Building Africa’s Data Backbone – Governance, Infrastructure and Interoperabilityzeroed in on the infrastructure required to power Africa’s digital growth.
Leaders from the African Development Bank, Oracle, The AI Collective, TESPOK, and the EU-AU Delegation highlighted the importance of harmonised data regulation, interoperable systems, and aligned regional standards. These, they said, are foundational for driving innovation, enabling AI development, and building the continent’s long-term digital resilience.
Policy Shifts Needed to Power Startup Growth
Policy reform for Africa’s startup ecosystem dominated conversations at AfricaIgnite. Speakers including Kunbi Tinuoye (UrbanGeekz), Nikita Thakrar (Included VC), and Natalie Miller (XRGlobal) called for more gender-equitable investment environments, improved access to capital, and coordinated cross-border regulation.
They argued that Africa’s next wave of scale-ups will rely on investor diversity and policy frameworks that reflect the realities of operating across 54 markets.
Telco Partnerships Strengthen Digital Inclusion
At AfricaCom, the panel Collaboration in Action – Fostering Telco Partnerships to Drive Digital Inclusion brought together senior leaders from MTN, Standard Bank, RMB, and the Mobile Ecosystem Forum. The discussion showcased how cross-industry collaboration is expanding connectivity, facilitating digital commerce, and driving continental digital inclusion efforts.
Spotlight on Africa’s Next Generation
Beyond the main venue, the Next Gen Talent Summit at UVU Africa highlighted the continent’s emerging innovators, celebrating young entrepreneurs and technologists shaping Africa’s future.
A Convergence of Innovation, Investment, and Policy
Reflecting on the festival’s success, Kadi Diallo, Portfolio Manager for Africa Tech Festival, said:
“Africa Tech Festival 2025 has shown that when innovation, investment, and policy align, transformation follows. This year reaffirmed Africa’s role not just as a participant, but as a global shaper of inclusive and responsible innovation.”
Across its four flagship programmes — AfricaCom, AfricaTech, The AI Summit Cape Town, and AfricaIgnite — the festival convened more than 15,000 industry leaders, including policymakers, founders, investors, global tech players, and emerging talent.
With over 500 speakers, 300 exhibitors, and a packed agenda of keynotes, fireside chats, startup pitches, and policy discussions, Africa Tech Festival 2025 once again cemented its reputation as the continent’s most influential technology gathering.
Now in its 28th edition, Africa Tech Festival returns from 11–13 November 2025 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). The festival continues to serve as the premier platform for collaboration and co-creation across Africa’s expanding digital ecosystem.
Source: ameyawdebrah.com/
