Africa is laying fresh groundwork to transform itself from a consumer market into a global manufacturing hub, as the African Technology and Innovation Institutes (ATII) announces the first-ever African Industrial Forum (AIF), scheduled for July 10, 2025.
Billed as a virtual summit, the event will bring together policymakers, industry giants, academics, and youth leaders under the theme: “Africa’s Future: Shaping Global Industries Through Smart Manufacturing, Automation, and Artificial Intelligence.”
WHY IT MATTERS: The forum comes at a critical moment for the continent. Despite significant economic progress, Africa’s manufacturing sector still contributes only about 10% to total GDP—a figure experts say must increase to secure sustainable growth.
Techparley understands that opportunities like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) could unlock an estimated $450 billion in intra-African trade by 2035.
Hence, the need for startup founders to extend interest to new ecosystems, and not leave other players to monopolise opportunities around those regions.
“A call to action”
Professor Rose-Margaret Ekeng-Itua, founder of ATII and notably the world’s first Black woman to earn a PhD in Cybernetics, described the summit as a call to action.
“This is more than a forum—it’s Africa’s call to action. Through unity and innovation, we will build an industrial legacy defined by African ingenuity. Africa’s rise demands sustainable, inclusive growth,” she said.
Meet the speakers
Speakers at the summit include notable figures such as John Kamara, founder of the AI Centre of Excellence Africa; Dr. Akanimo Odon of Lancaster University; and Dr. Edem Wornyo, a Senior Program Leader at Google.
Their participation signals growing collaboration between local innovators and Africa’s diaspora talent pool.
What you should know
Founded in the United States, ATII serves as a crucial knowledge-transfer hub, aiming to bridge the gap between research and practical industrial applications for African and Indigenous communities.
The institute focuses on areas such as artificial intelligence, clean technology, climate resilience, and sustainable infrastructure.
In addition, ATII seeks to empower African innovators, connect research to industry, and catalyze high-tech manufacturing on the continent.
What to expect
The African Industrial Forum will focus on:
- Advancing smart manufacturing through AI and automation
- Fostering cross-sector collaboration
- Equipping African youth for high-tech industrial careers
- Mobilizing investment in local production ecosystems
- Addressing workforce skills gaps essential for the Fourth Industrial Revolution
A highlight of the event will be a keynote address titled “Africa’s Industrial Renaissance,” alongside multi-sector discussions and awards honoring trailblazers in African industrialization.
Talking Points
At Techparley, being an Africa-first, Africa-second, and Africa-always platform, the idea is a welcome development as it will showcase Nigeria’s growing innovation ecosystem, with notable figures from the tech industry and academia coming together to share ideas and expertise.
Also, the participation of John Kamara, Dr. Akanimo Odon, and Dr. Edem Wornyo highlights the importance of collaboration between local innovators and Africa’s diaspora talent pool in driving technological advancements.
The event demonstrates the potential for knowledge sharing and capacity building in AI and other emerging technologies, which can help address pressing challenges in Nigeria and beyond.
Hence, it is our belief that the summit will serve as an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss strategies for leveraging technology to drive economic growth, improve education, and enhance healthcare outcomes.
Therefore, we want to see startup founders and influencers playing active roles through participation in the summit as there are so much to gain and leverage.
However, as the summit is virtually hosted, the ATII team should ensure stable internet connectivity throughout the hosting as minimizing technical issues will be crucial to its success.
Anyone familiar with technical glitches during video conferencing sessions will understand that disruptions could hinder meaningful interactions and knowledge sharing among participants.
Aside from this, we are on course to brokering the conversations that matter.
