People at the big Africa AI meeting said we must put money into AI fast. They spoke up on Thursday as the first Africa AI meeting started in Kigali, Rwanda. "If we work as a team, Africa can help lead the AI wave, making fixes for African needs that teach the world new ways. AI can help growing countries jump past hard spots and find new paths forward," said Doreen Bogdan-Martin from the world phone group.
She added that AI must stay honest, follow clear values, include everyone, and keep humans first. "African people need equal AI chances, which means better web links across Africa, more digital tools, and better skills for workers," Bogdan-Martin said. Jeremy Jurgens from the World Money Group pointed to four places that need cash: making more AI workers, building faster computers, creating African language info, and making more power for data houses.
James Mwangi, who runs Equity Group, talked about how AI helps bank money reach more people through smartphone banks. "The real change will happen when small shops use AI because it makes them smarter about business, speeds up their work chain, helps them find buyers better, and lets them sell things online easier," he said. Nigeria's tech boss, Bosun Tijani, said African countries must know what they want from AI before they shake hands with other countries.
Crystal Rugege from Rwanda's Future Center said AI might add 2.9 trillion dollars to Africa's money pot by 2030. But she warned that this big win needs "brave, quick leaders and everyone working as one." Kenya's top helper, Musalia Mudavadi, asked for more cash in Africa's power world to help AI grow. "We should think fresh about how we bring in cash for sun, wind, and water power to make it cheap and easy to find. Strong power helps AI grow faster," he said.
The big meeting carries the name "AI and Africa's Young People: New Work Chances for African Workers." More than 1,000 people came from 90 lands, with over 100 African AI companies joining them. The two-day party runs through Friday. It has money talks, brain worker meetings, and chats about making Africa a top place for good AI growth that helps people.
She added that AI must stay honest, follow clear values, include everyone, and keep humans first. "African people need equal AI chances, which means better web links across Africa, more digital tools, and better skills for workers," Bogdan-Martin said. Jeremy Jurgens from the World Money Group pointed to four places that need cash: making more AI workers, building faster computers, creating African language info, and making more power for data houses.
James Mwangi, who runs Equity Group, talked about how AI helps bank money reach more people through smartphone banks. "The real change will happen when small shops use AI because it makes them smarter about business, speeds up their work chain, helps them find buyers better, and lets them sell things online easier," he said. Nigeria's tech boss, Bosun Tijani, said African countries must know what they want from AI before they shake hands with other countries.
Crystal Rugege from Rwanda's Future Center said AI might add 2.9 trillion dollars to Africa's money pot by 2030. But she warned that this big win needs "brave, quick leaders and everyone working as one." Kenya's top helper, Musalia Mudavadi, asked for more cash in Africa's power world to help AI grow. "We should think fresh about how we bring in cash for sun, wind, and water power to make it cheap and easy to find. Strong power helps AI grow faster," he said.
The big meeting carries the name "AI and Africa's Young People: New Work Chances for African Workers." More than 1,000 people came from 90 lands, with over 100 African AI companies joining them. The two-day party runs through Friday. It has money talks, brain worker meetings, and chats about making Africa a top place for good AI growth that helps people.
