AFRI CONVERSE 2025 #4 Event – Africa’s AI Moment, Preparing for Rapid Growth

November 25, 2025

Date

December 12, 2025

Time

17:30–19:00 (Japan Standard Time) ／ 11:30–13:00 (East African Time)

Location

United Nations University 1F Annexe Space (hybrid — online broadcasting via Zoom)

AFRI CONVERSE 2025 brings together experts, entrepreneurs and students to explore AI in Africa – how data-driven innovation can accelerate sustainable development across the continent, foster inclusion, and create opportunities for people and communities. Join us to hear how Africa is shaping the future of artificial intelligence and is being brought together with international partners to scale talent, research and investment.

At TICAD9 – the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development held in Yokohama in August 2025 under the banner “Co-create Innovative Solutions with Africa” – artificial intelligence emerged as a central theme. In his opening remarks, Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru highlighted priority areas such as AI, DX, GX, and satellite data, and pledged that Japan would deepen public-private partnerships and catalyse private-sector investment. United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres urged inclusive global action, declaring that “AI must stand for Africa included,” and called for greater investment in youth and women, expanded digital innovation, and reforms to international governance and sustainable finance. The Yokohama Declaration adopted at TICAD9 underlined the importance of creating human‑centric, safe and trustworthy AI systems across the continent.

Building on TICAD9 commitments, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) announced the “Human Resource Development in AI/Data Science for Africa’s Economic Growth Initiative.” METI’s plan – announced alongside a partnership between the Matsuo Lab at the University of Tokyo and UNDP – aims to build capacity for 30,000 people in Africa over the next three years, boost research collaboration and open new job pathways for emerging AI talent. The Government of Japan also pledged to train 500 core AI personnel through the platformisation of an African AI Center of Excellence, signalling targeted investment in skills and leadership.

At the same time, development partners, including JICA, the World Bank, and UNDP, co‑hosted a thematic session, “AI Transformation for Africa – AI talent development and Ecosystem strengthening,” which examined practical models and business opportunities – from satellite data for climate‑smart agriculture to youth‑led startups that deploy AI for health diagnostics. These initiatives reflect a shift from aid‑centred approaches to co‑led, African‑driven innovation: AFRI CONVERSE 2025 will bring these conversations together and spotlight how countries and partners can translate commitments into tangible progress across the continent.

AI governance is gaining momentum globally, and African policymakers and institutions are accelerating work to ensure these technologies serve inclusive development across the continent. Key multilateral initiatives – including the G20’s “AI for Africa”, the UN’s Global Digital Compact (GDC) and the African Union’s Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy (CAIS) – are shaping policy conversations about ethical, context‑sensitive regulation, data governance and responsible use. At TICAD9, the United Nations University (UNU) and the Government of Egypt convened “Governance in the Digital Era: Lessons for Africa,” underscoring the need for fit‑for‑purpose frameworks that protect rights, promote innovation and preserve data sovereignty for African countries and member states.

The AU’s CAIS seeks to align continental strategies with Agenda 2063 priorities, strengthening research, skills and digital infrastructure so African nations can design and deploy home‑grown models and platforms. Country‑level policy examples include data protection laws, national AI strategies and investments in digital infrastructure – from South Africa’s research and innovation hubs to nascent policy frameworks in other member states – all intended to balance opportunity with the challenges of adoption.

The UNDP’s Human Development Report 2025, A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of AI, finds that around 20% of people worldwide already use AI in daily life and that roughly two‑thirds are likely to use AI within a year. Importantly, 61% of respondents expect AI to augment rather than replace work – a statistic that points to the potential for AI to support sustainable development, health and agriculture if coupled with deliberate investment in capacity, education and inclusion. AFRI CONVERSE 2025 will examine how governance, policy and investment can translate these global trends into practical action across the continent.

Building on global AI momentum, AFRI CONVERSE 2025 will convene experts from JICA and UNDP alongside entrepreneurs and students from Japan and Africa to discuss how artificial intelligence can drive African development – with Africa positioned as a leader of innovation rather than merely a recipient of aid. The session will explore practical collaboration opportunities between African countries and Japan to scale talent, strengthen research and innovation hubs, and attract investment that supports sustainable growth across the continent.

〈Event Details〉

• Time： Friday, December 12th, 2025, 17:30～19:00 (Japan Standard Time) – 11:30～13:00 (East African Time) – please check your local time (UTC conversion available on request)
• Co‑Organisation： Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
• Format： Hybrid (In‑person and Online)
• In‑person Location： United Nations University 1F Annexe Space (5 Chome‑53‑70 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150‑8925)
• Online Location： Zoom
• Attendance Fee： Free (places limited – register early)
• Languages： Japanese / English / French (live interpretation available)
• Registration： In‑person Registration Form · Online Registration Form

Programme:

17:30-17:35 Opening

17:35-17:40 Congratulatory remarks

17:40-17:55 Scene setting (GCI Global Programme, Matsuo Lab – University of Tokyo)

17:55-18:55 Panel discussion – pathways to scale AI talent, models and platforms in priority sectors

18:55-19:00 Closing

Speakers (titles omitted):

• Tshilidzi Marwala, Rector, United Nations University; Under‑Secretary‑General, United Nations
• Erin Hirakawa, Global Team Leader, Matsuo‑Iwasawa Laboratory, University of Tokyo
• Brian T. Chirima, Information Security and Assurance Student, Harare Institute of Technology
• Robert Opp, Chief Digital Officer, UNDP
• Tomoyuki Yamada, Senior Director, Office for STI & DX, Governance and Peacebuilding Dept., JICA
• Kotone Nishigohri, CEO, Ready to Bloom Inc.
• Rachel Kimweri Makumba, Innovation and Emerging Markets Researcher, KiAI Inc.

Moderator:

• Shuhei Ueno, Deputy Director General (Planning and TICAD Process), Africa Department, JICA

Why attend: Hear from leaders shaping policy and investment, learn about talent‑development models and sectoral AI applications (health, agriculture and governance), connect with startups and hubs, and discover opportunities for research collaboration and private‑sector partnerships that can accelerate inclusive adoption and skills development across the continent.

RSVP deadline: Please register by 10 December 2025. For enquiries, contact: yutaro.ito@undp.org.

About AFRI CONVERSE：

AFRI CONVERSE is a public seminar series initiated by UNDP in 2018 in connection with TICAD. Co‑organised with JICA since 2020, the series convenes policymakers, researchers, private‑sector actors and civil society three to four times a year to discuss development challenges and practical responses for the continent. AFRI CONVERSE aims to catalyse research innovation, strengthen hubs and startups, and build capacity so that African nations lead inclusive, data‑driven development in line with Agenda 2063 and the sustainable development priorities of member states.

In 2025, sessions were held at Hiroshima University (session 1), the Osaka–Kansai Expo (session 2) and in Yokohama alongside TICAD9 (session 3). AFRI CONVERSE 2025 brings these conversations together, highlighting progress and remaining challenges while offering opportunities for collaboration between the private sector, governments and global talent. For media enquiries or access for participants from African countries, please contact: yutaro.ito@undp.org. The live stream will include captions and interpretation to support inclusion and accessibility.