EAST AFRICA SET FOR LANDMARK AI CONFERENCE IN KIGALI TO SHAPE REGION’s DIGITAL FUTURE.

BY NJOKI KARANJA 
KIGALI, RWANDA, March 24, 2026.

East Africa is poised to take a major step in defining its digital trajectory as regional leaders, innovators, and policymakers prepare to convene for a landmark artificial intelligence conference in Kigali.

The 4th East African Community (EAC) Regional Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Conference will take place from March 30 to April 1 at the Kigali Convention Centre, bringing together more than 680 delegates from across the region and beyond. 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 marks a pivotal moment as the region seeks to transition from AI ambition to coordinated action.

Rwanda’s Minister for ICT and Innovation, Paula Ingabire, will officially open the conference, which is also expected to attract senior officials from the East African Community, including ministers, heads of institutions, and development partners.
Speaking ahead of the event, EASTECO Executive Secretary Sylvance Okoth described the gathering as a defining moment for the region. He emphasized that decisions made around AI adoption will shape East Africa’s economic resilience and prosperity for generations.

The biennial STI Conference has become the region’s premier platform for science-driven dialogue and policy collaboration. This fourth edition is the first to place artificial intelligence at its core, reflecting its growing importance as a catalyst for achieving the EAC’s long-term development goals.
IUCEA Acting Executive Secretary Idris Rai underscored the critical role of universities and research institutions in shaping an equitable and locally relevant AI ecosystem. He noted that strengthening higher education capacity will be key to driving sustainable and inclusive growth.

The three-day conference will feature high-level plenary sessions, ministerial dialogues, and parallel thematic tracks covering key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, climate resilience, and the digital economy. A major highlight will be a ministerial dialogue culminating in the anticipated adoption of the “Kigali Declaration on AI for East Africa,” aimed at enhancing regional policy coordination and competitiveness.

Innovation will take center stage through a Youth and Women Innovators’ Showcase, where 16 entrepreneurs from across EAC partner states will pitch AI-driven solutions. The event will also host an innovation exhibition, partner-led forums, and policy launches, including strategies on space science, informal sector innovation, and youth and women empowerment.

Distinguished speakers expected at the conference include James Mwangi, Nardos Bekele-Thomas, and experts from global institutions such as UNESCO and Microsoft.
Organizers say the conference will produce concrete resolutions to guide the responsible adoption of AI across East Africa, with a strong focus on practical applications in sectors such as agriculture, health, education, and public service delivery.

As the region accelerates its digital transformation, the Kigali conference is expected to play a critical role in aligning priorities, strengthening partnerships, and positioning East Africa as a competitive player in the global AI landscape.

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