Tanzania leads Africa toward agentic AI future

Arusha’s selection as the Africa Premier Artificial Intelligence Conference (APAIC) 2025 host city underscores East Africa’s rising influence in digital transformation and its growing role in shaping Africa’s innovation narrative.

This is a groundbreaking continental convening on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital transformation…the conference is set for November 24–27 at the prestigious Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC).

Dubbed “The Largest Year-End Convening on Artificial Intelligence: Unpacking Agentic AI for Africa’s Social and Economic Transformation,” this historic gathering will unite over 1,200 delegates, 150 speakers, and participants from more than 40 countries.

Hosting APAIC 2025 in Arusha marks a defining moment for Africa a place where leadership, innovation, and purpose converge to shape how our continent navigates intelligent transformation. But why the upcoming conference has picked Arusha as the host? The answer is purely simple bearing the fact that Arusha is emerging as one of East Africa's most dynamic knowledge and innovation cities…known globally as a diplomatic hub, Arusha is now evolving into a digital ready economy and a TechCity of the future.

Furthermore, its strategic position add value since it is positioned at the crossroads of East Africa thereby connecting Tanzania to Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and beyond.

Another added advantage for Tanzania in this technology powered world is that 60 percent of its population is under 25 hence the country has enough human capital to accelerate AI adoption and digitalize industries. Unlike narrow, task-based AI, Agentic AI systems act with autonomy, adapt dynamically and collaborate with humans to drive governance, business, education, healthcare and society forward.

For Africa, this is not merely adoption, it is an opportunity to leapfrog into digital sovereignty, defining a distinctly African path for human – AI collaboration.

As such, by convening leaders at APAIC 2025 in Arusha, Tanzania has been spotlighted as a rising hub for digital innovation and remote jobs which signals that Africa will not be a consumer of AI designed elsewhere but rather, the continent will be a co-architect of global AI standards and practices.

Briefing reporters recently in Dar es Salaam, SCANCODE Tanzania Founder Mr Mgimba Faustine highlighted that the conference brings enormous opportunities to Tanzania and Africa at large. “We are honored to host this big historic gathering that will unite over 1,200 delegates, 150 speakers, and participants from more than 40 countries. “A lot is expected from the conference that will definitely clear a new path towards achieving success in the growth of Agentic AI both in Tanzania and Africa at large,” he said Again, Mr Mgimba hailed government for its commitment in investing in digital infrastructure, skills training and innovation hubs to position itself as a regional ICT powerhouse.

However, this year’s APAIC edition will go beyond conversation to co-creation — bringing together governments, private sector leaders, investors, and innovators to define frameworks for responsible and inclusive AI adoption across health, education, trade, agriculture, and governance. Under the theme, “The Agentic AI Revolution – Shaping the Future of Innovation, Autonomy & Human Potential,” APAIC 2025 will explore how Agentic Artificial Intelligence — systems that think, act, and learn autonomously — can power Africa’s next wave of innovation, inclusion, and growth.

“Africa stands at a turning point,” noted Abdulwahid Ali Khamis, Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson of APAIC 2025. “We can either consume technologies built elsewhere or co-create intelligent systems that reflect our values, our data, and our development priorities. APAIC 2025 in Arusha is where that journey begins.”

Collaborating for a smarter continent The 2025 convening is powered by a dynamic partnership including the Ministry for Education, Science and Technology (MoEST), Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), DTBi, SCANCODE Tanzania, HAM International, and global technology partners including MindHYVE.ai (USA).

These partners, alongside leading industry actors and African investment agencies, are shaping a continental agenda that focuses on AI literacy, innovation ecosystems, and responsible governance frameworks.

Together, they aim to make APAIC 2025 not just an event, but a movement for AI capacity-building and digital sovereignty in Africa. Building Africa’s agentic AI agenda One of the major highlights will be the unveiling of The Dawn Directive — the world’s first AI literacy and fluency framework authored with support from an Agentic AI system.

The framework will serve as a continental blueprint for AI education and ethical innovation, targeting policymakers, professionals, and institutions. Additionally, delegates will witness the signing of the Mombasa Declaration on Agentic AI, setting out Africa’s unified roadmap for AI governance, investment, and data ethics.

Who Will Be There: APAIC 2025 will attract Ministers and policymakers from across Africa’s digital and innovation ministries, private sector executives, investors, and technology entrepreneurs, academia and research institutions shaping AI and data science education, civil society leaders advancing inclusive and ethical AI frameworks.

About APAIC 2025 The Africa Premier AI Conference (APAIC) is the continent’s foremost platform for advancing responsible Artificial Intelligence, innovation, and digital transformation. Conference Highlights: There will be ministerial adoption of the Mombasa Declaration on Agentic AI, The Dawn Directive Launch which is Africa’s first AI literacy framework authored by an Agentic AI. Also, there will be Investment and Innovation Expo, Matchmaking startups with investors across six sectors namely EduTech, HealthTech, AgriTech, FinTech, GovTech and ClimaTech.

Furthermore, it will feature AI Skill Labs and Masterclasses, practical training for youth, educators and professionals, Thought Leadership Dialogues, CEOs, Ministers and Innovators discussing AI sovereignty and ethics. Youth Dividend: Africa has the world’s youngest population as such, by equipping them with AI fluency, the continent can become the world’s most dynamic hub. Government Commitment: Tanzania is investing a lot in digital Infrastructure, skills training and innovation hubs to position itself as a regional ICT powerhouse. Economic gains: Research shows African governments can save up to USD 150 billion annually by applying AI to public service efficiency.

Growing digital economy: Expansion of internet penetration, mobile adoption, and digital payments is creating fertile ground for AI-driven solutions. Remote digital jobs: Agentic AI creates opportunities for Tanzanians to access global digital labor markets, offering inclusive opportunities for youth and women, and positioning Tanzania as a destination for remote talent outsourcing.

Digital sovereignty: Africa must own their AI future — setting standards, building skills, and creating policies that protect our people, our data, and our value. Pic: Edu Caption: Caption: Some delegates at the previous Africa Premier Artificial Intelligence Conference in Mombasa, Kenya stretch to activate their bodies.