Kigali, Rwanda – The President of the Togolese Republic, Faure Essozimna GNASSINGBE, honored the first Global Summit on Artificial Intelligence in Africa, held in Kigali on April 3, 2025. This high-level event, themed “AI and Africa’s Demographic Dividend: Reimagining Economic Opportunities for the African Workforce,” brought together global leaders, investors, technology experts, and academics.
On this occasion, the International Council on Artificial Intelligence (CONIIA), whose African headquarters is based in Lomé, salutes the active participation and remarkable contributions of Togolese President Faure Essozimna GNASSINGBE, highlighting the crucial role he plays in positioning Africa as a key player in technological innovation and global AI governance. CONIIA congratulates the Togolese President for his strategic vision that emphasizes a selective and pragmatic approach, adapted to African realities.
In his address, President Gnassingbé shared a clear perspective for maximizing the impact of Artificial Intelligence in priority sectors such as health, education, and agriculture. He also advocated for African digital sovereignty based on data protection, the development of appropriate infrastructure, and the adoption of strategic standards. “Africa must make intelligent choices to ensure that AI benefits all segments of the population, including rural areas and informal workers,” said the President of Togo.
Rwandan President Paul KAGAME, host of the summit, also joined CONIIA in recognizing the exceptional contribution of the Togolese Head of State. This recognition reaffirms Togo’s commitment to making Artificial Intelligence a lever for inclusive and sustainable development for the continent.
The International Council on Artificial Intelligence (CONIIA) also takes this opportunity to salute the commitment of the President of the Republic of Togo to the very first continental initiative dedicated exclusively to Artificial Intelligence and led by the International Council on Artificial Intelligence (CONIIA) with the support of numerous pan-African partners. It is indeed under the aegis of His Excellency Faure Essozimna GNASSINGBE that the African Artificial Intelligence Day (JI2A) was celebrated on March 3, 2025, in Lomé under the motto “African AI: Local Roots, Global Impact.”
JI2A: An Annual Tradition Dedicated to AI in Africa
Established in November 2024 in Abidjan, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire, during the 13th Digital Transformation Conference in Africa, the date of March 3 of each year has since been dedicated to the celebration of the African Artificial Intelligence Day (JI2A).
The objectives of JI2A are to: Federate a pan-African AI ecosystem by bringing together governments, businesses, academic institutions, researchers, and citizens around a strategic dialogue on AI and its implications for the continent’s development, Encourage an African appropriation of AI by highlighting local innovations and demonstrating the positive impact of AI in key areas such as education, health, agriculture, and the economy. Stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship by fostering the emergence of African talents in artificial intelligence, supporting startups, and promoting investment in local technological solutions. And Reinforce Africa’s digital and technological identity by making Africa a central player in the development of AI through the valorization of skills and the affirmation of a common vision of technological progress. The African Artificial Intelligence Day (JI2A) also and especially illustrates Africa’s desire to speak with one voice in the global Artificial Intelligence ecosystem, while valuing the richness of its diversities.
About CONIIA
As an emerging entity in the field of AI, the International Council of AI (CONIIA) brings together leading experts, researchers, and practitioners worldwide with the mission of promoting technological innovation, ethics, and excellence in the field of artificial intelligence.
The International Organization CONIIA, which is very present in Africa and throughout the world, works for AI that benefits everyone, with an emphasis on research, ethics, and practical applications that can positively transform our societies.
To better connect Africa to the rest of the world, CONIIA has five representations on four continents, notably in the United States, China, France, and South Korea.
CONIIA has its African Headquarters in Lomé, Togo, on Rue du Gouverneur in Cité OUA in Lomé, opposite the European Union Embassy in Togo.
CONIIA has several actions and major events to its credit across several African countries. CONIIA and its partners organized with resounding success in June 2024 in Lomé the 1st Edition of the Artificial Intelligence Week, which brought together several global AI leaders for several days of work under the theme: “AI in Africa: Issues, State of Play, and Perspectives.” CONIIA’s actions also include a vast training project for African journalists that has already benefited 435 journalists between 2023 and 2024 in countries such as Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal. In collaboration with the Ivorian Ministry of Digital Transition and Digitalization, CONIIA and Human IA organized the first Artificial Intelligence Days (JIA 2025) from February 26 to 28, 2025, in Abidjan. The initiative to celebrate the African Artificial Intelligence Day every March 3 also reinforces CONIIA’s position as a major player in the promotion of AI in Africa and a Driver of Innovation, Research, and Humanist Development of AI.
The Communication Department of CONIIA