Kenya is set to take centre stage in global discussions on Artificial Intelligence (AI) as it hosts the Africa International Policy and AI Conference (AIPAC) 2025. The four-day event will hold in Mombasa from August 25 to 28, bringing together over 1,500 key stakeholders from Africa and around the world.
The event is expected to gather business leaders, policymakers, innovators, scholars, and researchers who will work together to shape Africa’s AI future. They will discuss how to build national AI strategies, set ethical rules for AI use, promote investments, and celebrate African innovation.
Harun Katusya, who is the Director and Chairman of the AIPAC 2025 Secretariat, described the event as more than just a regular conference. “AIPAC 2025 offers Kenya a unique opportunity for investor-startup matchmaking to drive capital investments into AI enterprises,” he said.
According to him, the conference will give local AI entrepreneurs the chance to connect with international venture capitalists and equity investors. It will also create a space for governments and private companies to partner in building AI solutions that solve real problems.
“This is more than a conference – it’s a platform to shape Africa’s AI future and open global doors for Kenyan ingenuity,” Mr Katusya added.
Delegates will participate in high-level talks that will produce policy recommendations and talent development agreements between countries. These talks will be driven by scholars and AI practitioners from across the continent and beyond.
Kenyan universities and research institutions are also expected to benefit. The event will give them access to global research and development (R&D) networks, enabling them to work with international experts and organisations.
The focus of the conference will go beyond just technology. It will cover how AI can help solve real challenges in important areas like education (EduTech), healthcare (HealthTech), agriculture (AgriTech), climate change (ClimaTech), government services (GovTech), financial services (FinTech), trade (TradeTech), and industrial development (InduTech).
By hosting the event, Kenya is positioning itself as the leading hub for AI development in Africa. The conference will help shape global conversations around AI and provide Kenyan authorities with the opportunity to influence how AI is used worldwide.
“It is a pivotal step in aligning Africa’s AI ambitions with global standards and trends,” said Mr Katusya.
Industry watchers say the timing is perfect as Africa continues to explore how new technologies like AI can be used to boost economic development, improve governance, and solve long-standing social problems.
Organisers of the conference believe the event will attract attention from governments, tech companies, academic institutions, and investors who are looking to support AI innovations that have the potential to transform African economies.
Kenya has already made some progress in building a tech ecosystem. The government has shown interest in using AI to improve public services and strengthen the country’s digital economy. Hosting AIPAC 2025 is expected to speed up those efforts and attract more international support.
Delegates from different parts of the world are expected to fly into Mombasa for the event, which will include keynote speeches, panel discussions, exhibitions, and networking sessions. The event will also feature a showcase of some of the best AI innovations coming out of Africa.
With this major event, Kenya is sending a clear message to the world that it is ready to lead in the development and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence.
