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By Peter Otieno
Nairobi, Kenya: Africa’s growing ambition to become a major player in the global artificial intelligence economy dominated AI EVERYTHING KENYA X GITEX KENYA where policymakers, investors, innovators, and technology leaders gathered to chart the continent’s digital future.
The three-day summit concluded on Thursday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, with conversations centred on sovereign AI infrastructure, trusted digital systems, startup investment, scaling African innovation, and intellectual property protection.
The inaugural event was organized by KAOUN International in collaboration with dx5 and the Office of the Special Envoy on Technology of the Republic of Kenya. It drew thousands of delegates from 75 different nations, including more than 280 startups and enterprises.
As Africa positions itself to benefit from the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence, speakers at the forum warned that the continent must address challenges around digital trust, regulation, infrastructure, and innovation financing if it hopes to compete globally.
A major highlight on the final day was a discussion on rebuilding public trust through intelligent public services, where experts explored how AI-enabled government systems could improve efficiency, accountability, and service delivery.
Ntuthuko Ndamane, Director of Information Technology Management Services at KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport, said public trust is shaped by citizens’ experiences with government services rather than policy statements alone.
“Trust is emotional. It grows through lived experiences when citizens can access efficient, transparent, and responsive services,” he said.
James Ayugi, CEO and founder of e-Citizen, added that reliability remains one of the biggest drivers of trust in digital government systems.
“Every time citizens access a government platform and successfully receive the service they need, confidence in the system increases,” he noted.
The summit also turned attention to Africa’s startup ecosystem during the Venture Scaling Forum, where investors and founders examined strategies for helping African startups grow beyond local markets.
Astria Fataki of the United Nations Development Programme said Africa needs sustainable innovation ecosystems capable of balancing commercial success with long-term social impact.
“We are seeing a growing willingness across Africa to invest, collaborate, and build innovation ecosystems that can create lasting value,” she said.
Meanwhile, Carrie Liauw from 500 Global said African entrepreneurs are attracting attention because they are building solutions for real-world challenges across industries.
Intellectual property protection also featured prominently in the discussions, with the World Intellectual Property Organization urging startups and innovators to prioritise patent protection and IP awareness from the early stages of growth.
Emir Ali Jazairy warned that many African startups still overlook intellectual property as a strategic business asset despite its importance in attracting investors and protecting innovation.
As the inaugural edition came to a close, organisers said the summit reinforced Nairobi’s growing position as a regional technology and innovation hub driving Africa’s digital transformation. They affirmed that AI EVERYTHING KENYA X GITEX KENYA will return in May 2027.
Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of the global organiser of GITEX, said Africa’s strength lies in its youthful population, entrepreneurial energy, and expanding technology talent.
“The next phase is about building the infrastructure, partnerships, and intelligence economy that will enable Africa to lead global technology conversations rather than follow them,” she said.
