Artificial Intelligence is often hyped for Africa, yet used at only a fraction of its potential. This session asks who owns and scales the AI opportunity for Africa's institutions. The core idea: Africa's digital transformation happens when African developers and entrepreneurs are the primary builders and owners of AI, platforms and products—embedded in real systems, not isolated pilots.

The panel explores Africa's data as a strategic asset, the gap between AI hype and actual use in education, health and governance, and how youth tech talent can drive civic engagement. Discussion will unpack what "sovereign AI" means in practice—models and infrastructure owned on African terms, so value lands on African balance sheets. This year's "Panel of the Future" brings together founders, policymakers and infrastructure operators to ask: how do we move from raw talent to refined value, so Africa becomes a co-author—not just a user—of the AI architectures shaping its future.

Fireside Scene Setter: H.E. Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva, Prime Minister, Rwanda

Rwanda is betting big on broadband, data, AI and young talent to power its next decade of growth. In this candid fireside chat, Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva unpacks how his government is using a national fibre‑optic backbone, near‑ubiquitous 4G coverage and next‑generation 5G pilots to make Rwanda's vision as a leading African digital hub a lived reality for citizens and businesses.

Panelists:

• H.E. Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, Chief Minister & Chief Innovation Officer, Republic of Sierra Leone
• Mr. Olugbenga Agboola, CEO, Flutterwave
• Ms. Lisa Monaco, President, Global Affairs, Microsoft
• Ms. Fatima Tambajang, Head of AI Ecosystem & Strategic Partnerships, Emerging Markets, NVIDIA

Moderator: Ambassador Philip Thigo, Special Envoy on Technology, Executive Office of the President of Kenya & Member, UN Secretary-General's High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence