The inaugural Africa Tech Policy Summit (AfTPS) will be held from May 12-16, 2025, in Nairobi, Kenya.
Organized by KICTANet, a multistakeholder ICT policy think tank that aims to catalyse reforms in the ICT sector, this week-long event aims to bring together policymakers, private sector leaders, academia, civil society, and tech startups from across Africa to promote the harmonization of tech policies and foster technological development across the continent.
Themed, “Tech for Human Development: Policy, Innovation, and Inclusive Governance,” it will generate actionable recommendations for harmonizing tech policies across Africa, foster partnerships among stakeholders, and identify pathways for supporting innovation and inclusive digital transformation.
“This theme is aligned with the spirit of the Kenyan constitution, which puts inclusive governance, equality, representation, and public participation at the center of Kenyan values. It also aligns with Africa’s efforts on digital transformation through inter-African digital trade and African cohesion to foster tech and human development,” reads the event concept paper from KICTANet.
“The program will feature workshops, exhibition booths showcasing policy innovations, and regulatory sandboxes led by diverse actors.”
Summit Highlights
The AfTPS will feature several key events and activities:
- Kenya Internet Governance Forum (KeIGF): Scheduled for May 14, 2025, this national forum will discuss public policy issues related to internet governance.
- East Africa Internet Governance Forum (EAIGF): Taking place from May 15-16, 2025, this regional forum, in its 12th edition, will focus on internet governance developments across East Africa. The 2025 EAIGF will be convened by KICTANet, in collaboration with the East African Community (EAC) and other East African National and Regional Initiatives (NRIs). The forum will operate under the theme, “Advancing East Africa’s Digital Governance Together.” This theme emphasizes the necessity of collaborative action and a unified vision for effective digital governance. It highlights the significance of multi-stakeholder cooperation in formulating policies, standards, and practices that enable East Africa to maximize the advantages of the digital era while minimizing its potential risks.
- Kenya School of Internet Governance (KESIG): Online learning from April 28 to May 9, 2025, followed by industry events from May 7-9, 2025. KeSIG aims to build a critical mass of individuals advocating for Internet rights and freedoms through equipping the participants with the skills needed to participate meaningfully in local, regional, and global policy discourse.
- Youth and Children’s IGF: Dedicated sessions for young leaders and children to contribute to shaping the digital policy landscape.
The summit expects to attract over 300 participants representing various sectors, including government, private sector, civil society, and academia.
The event will employ diverse methodologies, including keynote speeches, panel discussions, breakout sessions, workshops, and networking events.
Expected Outcomes
The AfTPS aims to generate actionable recommendations for harmonizing tech policies across Africa, foster partnerships among stakeholders, and identify pathways for supporting innovation and inclusive digital transformation. The discussions and outcomes from the summit will contribute to African stakeholders’ positions in global tech governance forums and feed into regional and continental IGF deliberations.
This landmark event showcases Africa’s commitment to shaping its technological future and positioning itself as a key player in the global digital landscape.
