The Connected Africa Summit 2025 officially kicked off on Monday in Diani. The summit has registered over 1,200 delegates from 24 countries.
This year’s summit comes with added weight: it marks the first major follow-up to the Nairobi Declaration, the policy framework adopted during last year’s conference. From the outset, speakers made it clear—the time for declarations has passed. Now it’s about execution.
“This is the second time we are converging at a continental level. The Connected Africa Summit has kicked off in a big way,” said Stanley Kamanguya, CEO of Kenya’s ICT Authority, during his opening address. “This year, we are following up on the Nairobi Declaration to assess progress, challenges, and opportunities for implementation.”
The summit’s opening day sent a strong message: Africa is no longer content to play catch-up in the global digital race. Discussions immediately zeroed in on key issues such as youth empowerment (with over 70% of Africa’s population under 30), scaling local innovations, and harmonizing ICT policy across borders. Delegates acknowledged that bridging the continent’s digital divide will require more than optimism; it demands financial commitment, strategic alignment, and implementation discipline.
Another major focus this year is digital infrastructure financing. With traditional funding models under pressure, participants are exploring alternative approachesfrom blended finance to public-private partnerships—to fund the next generation of broadband, cloud, and connectivity projects.
Among the private sector leaders stepping up was Cynthia Kropac, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at Safaricom, who outlined the telco’s evolving role in enabling Africa’s digital shift.
“At Safaricom Business, we remain firmly committed to driving Africa’s digital future through bold investments in connectivity, strategic partnerships, and the transformative power of artificial intelligence,” she said. “By enabling access to digital solutions, we are helping unlock socio-economic growth and empower communities.”
Eng. John Tanui, CBS Principal Secretary in the State Department for ICT and Digital Economy, delivered the keynote that reflected on Kenya’s ambition to become Africa’s next digital outsourcing hub. In hs address, he positioned Kenya as a regional leader and a viable global contender for IT-enabled services (ITES).
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