Kigali is preparing to take center stage in Africa’s digital revolution as Rwanda hosts the continent’s first festival dedicated to artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology. The Africa Blockchain Festival (ABF) 2025, endorsed by the government through the Rwanda Convention Bureau, will run Nov. 7–9 at the Kigali Convention Centre.
The festival, themed “Africa’s AI & Blockchain Renaissance: From Tech Consumers to Global Innovators,” is designed to move Africa from a technology consumer to a global innovator. Organizers expect more than 5,000 participants, including developers, venture capitalists, policymakers, media professionals, and creatives.
“ABF 2025 is not just an event—it’s a continental movement,” said Paula Ingabire, Rwanda’s Minister of ICT and one of the confirmed speakers. “It will showcase African talent and position Kigali as a hub for innovation and digital transformation.”
The three-day program will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, startup pitch sessions, and a live hackathon where teams will present blockchain-based solutions to pressing challenges in sectors ranging from finance to healthcare. Special sessions will explore the intersection of creativity and technology, showing how African musicians, filmmakers, and designers can leverage blockchain and AI for intellectual property protection, fan engagement, and AI-assisted content creation.
Complementing the technical program are networking and collaboration opportunities, including Deal Rooms, Kigali Innovation Tours, the Afro-Tech Connect Gala, and Kigali Digital Connect. These initiatives aim to connect entrepreneurs with investors and create partnerships across the continent.
Rwanda has steadily gained global recognition for its AI research and digital policy initiatives, supported by organizations such as the Gates Foundation. Hosting ABF 2025 underscores the country’s commitment to becoming a leader in Africa’s digital transformation.
Alex Ntale, CEO of the Rwanda ICT Chamber, said the festival provides a rare platform for innovators to gain international exposure. “By bringing together the brightest minds in AI and blockchain, ABF 2025 will empower African innovators to scale solutions locally and globally,” he said.
Confirmed speakers include Dr. Emomotimi Agama, Director General of Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission; Michelle Chivunga, founder of Global Policy House; Nigerian tech creator Fisayo Fosudo; Ghanaian digital voice Delppy; and South African entrepreneurs Shameera Akbar and Ayesha Bayat, co-founders of Digiyouth Africa. More speakers are expected to be announced in the coming months.
Organizers say ABF 2025 will serve as a catalyst for Africa’s digital future, enabling policymakers, creatives, and innovators to accelerate sustainable growth while establishing Africa as a global technology leader.
“The festival will highlight the opportunities for African solutions to compete on the world stage,” said Ingabire. “It’s about empowering our innovators, protecting their creations, and driving the continent toward global relevance in digital technologies.”
By combining education, innovation, and cross-continental collaboration, ABF 2025 seeks to turn Kigali into a permanent hub for AI and blockchain innovation, offering Africa a platform to shape its technological destiny.
