East Africa to Convene Landmark AI Conference in Kigali to Shape Digital Future

Leaders in technology, policy, academia, and innovation from across East Africa are set to converge in Kigali for a major regional conference aimed at accelerating the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive sustainable development.

The 4th East African Community (EAC) Regional Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Conference will take place from March 30 to April 1, 2026, at the Kigali Convention Centre. The event is jointly organized by the East African Science and Technology Commission and the Inter-University Council for East Africa.

Held under the theme “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for a Resilient, Inclusive, and Innovative East Africa,” the conference comes at a pivotal moment as the region increasingly turns to digital solutions to address socio-economic challenges.Rwanda’s Minister for ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire, will officially open the conference, which is expected to draw over 680 in-person participants alongside a wider virtual audience.

Attendees will include ministers, researchers, private sector leaders, development partners, and civil society representatives from all eight EAC Partner States.According to Sylvance Okoth, the conference is more than a routine gathering.

He described it as a critical platform for coordinated regional action, emphasizing that decisions made around AI today will shape East Africa’s long-term prosperity and resilience.The three-day event will feature plenary sessions, ministerial dialogues, innovation exhibitions, and thematic discussions focusing on key sectors such as agriculture, health, education, climate resilience, and the digital economy.

A major highlight will be a ministerial dialogue expected to culminate in the adoption of the Kigali Declaration on AI, aimed at strengthening regional policy coordination.From the academic front, Idris Rai underscored the role of universities and research institutions in shaping an equitable AI-driven future.

He noted that higher education institutions must play a central role in building skills, advancing research, and ensuring inclusive innovation.The conference will also spotlight youth and women innovators, with 16 entrepreneurs from across the region set to pitch AI-driven solutions during the Youth and Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Challenge.

Winners will be announced during the closing ceremony.Key speakers include James Mwangi, who will deliver a keynote on supporting youth and women innovators, and Tim Brown, who will address advancements in data and language technologies for the region.Organisers say the outcomes of the conference will be documented into actionable resolutions to guide AI adoption across East Africa.

These efforts align with the broader vision of the East African Community, which identifies science, technology, and innovation as key drivers of socio-economic transformation under its Vision 2050 framework.As East Africa positions itself within the global digital economy, the Kigali conference is expected to play a defining role in shaping how the region leverages AI for inclusive growth, resilience, and long-term competitiveness.