Africa’s digital transformation gained fresh momentum at AFRI CONVERSE 2025 #4, held on 12 December 2025 at the United Nations University in Tokyo and online. Under the theme “Africa Taking Off with AI: When the Fastest-Growing Continent Adopts the Potential of AI,” the session convened policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and young innovators from across Africa and Japan to explore Africa’s AI opportunities and Japan’s support for inclusive digital transformation.

Co-organized by UNDP, UNU and JICA as a follow-up to TICAD 9, the event convened over 480 participants and highlighted a shared conviction: AI’s role in tackling Africa’s challenges, driving sustainable development and areas for Japan–Africa collaboration in technology, agriculture, and innovation-driven entrepreneurship.

Opportunities for Africa

Opening the session, Mr. Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector of the United Nations University and UN Under-Secretary-General, highlighted the transformative potential of AI for Africa’s development trajectory. With the continent’s population set to double by 2050, he emphasized that investing in young people through ethical AI frameworks, skills development, and international partnerships is essential to ensuring that AI remains inclusive, trustworthy, and human‑centered.

Japan reaffirmed this commitment. Mr. Taro Kawase of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted the shared vision of TICAD 9 and the Yokohama Declaration 2025, which calls for safe and human‑centered AI systems. He welcomed African-led initiatives such as the African Digital Compact, noting that Japan stands ready to support Africa’s own digital priorities through capacity-building, youth empowerment, and stronger collaboration.

From the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Mr. Kenji Kato emphasized AI’s role in driving industrial competitiveness. He highlighted initiatives such as the Japan–Africa Co‑Creation for Industry Initiative (JACCI) and METI’s collaboration with the University of Tokyo’s Matsuo Laboratory and UNDP to nurture a new generation of African AI and data science talent. He expressed his expectation that Japan and Africa can jointly contribute to advancing AI development.

From Skills to Solutions: Building Africa’s AI Talent Pipeline

This session showcased the Global Consumer Intelligence (GCI) Programme of the University of Tokyo’s Matsuo–Iwasawa Laboratory. Ms. Erin Hirakawa outlined the programme’s focus on applied machine learning and real-world business applications since its launch in 2014.

Mr. Brian T. Chirima, a GCI programme participant, shared how the skills acquired through the programme can be applied to Africa’s development challenges. He highlighted AI’s potential to improve workforce efficiency, talent matching, and predictive analysis, particularly in fragile and emerging economies. He emphasized his commitment to applying these skills not only in his career but also toward building the next generation of African AI-driven enterprises.

From Talent Development to Ecosystem Building: Insights from the Panel

A panel discussion moderated by Mr. Shuhei Ueno of JICA explored how Africa can translate AI ambition into inclusive, practical impact. Speakers from academia, development institutions, the private sector, and youth innovation spaces highlighted three recurring themes: talent development, data ecosystems, and innovation-driven entrepreneurship.

AI as a Tool for Everyday Problem-Solving

Ms. Rachel Kimweri Makumba of KiAI Inc. emphasized that AI should be conceived as a tool for solving everyday challenges. She stressed that with the right partnerships, African youth can build globally competitive solutions from anywhere on the continent.

From JICA, Mr. Tomoyuki Yamada emphasized the need for stronger university partnerships, improved technology infrastructures, and locally grounded AI solutions that reflect Africa’s realities.

AI as an Accelerator for the SDGs

UNDP’s Chief Digital Officer, Mr. Robert Opp, described AI as a powerful accelerator for the Sustainable Development Goals if structural barriers are addressed. He pointed to data availability as a critical challenge. Through initiatives like the Green Compute Coalition and the timbuktoo innovation platform, UNDP is helping African innovators access the skills, mentorship, and financing needed to scale AI-driven solutions.

Inclusive and Ethical AI Development

From the private sector, Ms. Kotone Nishigohri, CEO of Ready to Bloom Inc., emphasized that AI development must be ethical, inclusive, and context-specific and that Japan–Africa cooperation should be grounded in mutual respect and long-term collaboration.

Looking Ahead: Co‑Creating Africa’s AI Future

As the session concluded, a shared understanding emerged: strong partnerships, particularly between Africa and Japan will be essential to enabling African innovators to turn ideas into scalable, sustainable solutions. The discussion highlighted the importance of continued dialogue, investment in education, and deeper cooperation to strengthen AI ecosystems across the continent.

As Africa advances its digital transformation, the insights shared at AFRI CONVERSE 2025 #4 reaffirm that the continent’s AI future will be shaped by technological progress and the collective commitment to ensure that these tools expand opportunity, empower youth, and contribute meaningfully to long-term development. 

Complementing the themes of the discussion, Ahunna Eziakonwa, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa, reflects on Africa’s digital future in her blog, “Africa’s AI Moment: Build the Infrastructure, Own the Future.”