Press Release: Africa Technology Leadership Conference 2025 Opens in Eldoret, Kenya

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 9, 2025

Africa Technology Leadership Conference 2025 Opens in Eldoret, Kenya

Inaugural gathering brings together public and private sector leaders to shape Africa’s digital future

Eldoret, Kenya – The inaugural Africa Technology Leadership Conference (ATLC 2025) officially opened today at Eka Hotel in Eldoret City, launching a transformative two-day forum that has brought together over 400 delegates from Kenya and across the globe to discuss and shape the continent’s digital transformation journey.

Under the theme “Africa’s Digital Future: Innovations Driving Economic Transformation,” the two-day event has drawn participation from national and county governments, private sector innovators, academia and technology partners.

The opening ceremony featured remarks from key partners and government leaders who set the tone for the next two days of high-level discussion and collaboration. Representing the Konza Technopolis CEO, Mr. John Paul Okwiri, Mr. Lucas Omollo, Chief Manager, ICT and Smart Cities, emphasized the importance of long-term infrastructure and policy alignment in delivering on Kenya’s digital promise. “At Konza, we believe that technology is not just a tool, but a foundation for inclusiveness and sustainable development, we are proud to co-host this dialogue in a county that represents the next frontier of smart innovation and regional transformation.”

Dr. Kenneth Rotich, HSC, CEO of Invigence and co-convener of ATLC 2025, challenged institutions and leaders to move from conversation to implementation. “We are past the era of simply admiring innovation. Africa must build and own its digital future,” Dr. Rotich said. “This conference is about leadership about equipping our public sector, businesses and young innovators with the tools, policies and partnerships to drive scalable transformation,” Brian Mung’ei, Chair of the Africa Technology Leadership Forum (ATLF) and COO of Scale, also added.

The opening panel included contributions from Mr. Sekar Ponniah, Chairman of Global Software Solutions, and Mr. Harshavardhan Pusala, CEO of Techurate, both of whom reaffirmed the private sector’s commitment to investing in inclusive digital ecosystems across the continent.

With sessions spanning digital finance, public-private partnerships, AI and data ethics, smart infrastructure and regional diplomacy, ATLC 2025 offers a unique platform for cross-sector engagement and knowledge exchange. It offers a platform for meaningful collaboration, with participants exploring how public-private partnerships and innovation ecosystems can drive the continent’s digital economy forward.

ATLC 2025 is hosted by Konza Technopolis and Invigence in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy, the Africa Technology Leadership Forum (ATLF), Techurate, Global Software Solutions, Isotropic Solutions and other strategic partners. (www.africaforum.tech)

 

ENDS.

Powering Digital Transformation Through Public-Private Partnerships

Digital transformation is no longer the future; it is the present and its success in Africa depends on bold, structured collaboration between governments, the private sector and development actors.

At the #ATLC2025, one of the most impactful sessions will be in the Panel Discussion on Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) for Digital Transformation, featuring a powerhouse lineup of thought leaders and innovators.

In line with the conference theme “Africa’s Digital Future: Innovations Driving Economic Transformation”, this discussion aims to uncover practical pathways for partnership that can fast-track national and county-level digitization efforts across the continent.

Why PPPs Matter for Africa’s Digital Agenda

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are a cornerstone in unlocking Africa’s digital future. With many governments facing budget constraints and rising infrastructure demands, PPPs offer a sustainable way to harness private sector efficiency, capital and innovation to deliver public value.

PPPs provide governments access to cutting-edge technologies and expertise, while offering private partners access to new markets and the opportunity to co-create impactful, scalable solutions. In the context of digital transformation, this translates to faster deployment of digital infrastructure, improved public service delivery through technologies and stronger regional competitiveness.

Moreover, PPPs help bridge the urban-rural divide by enabling digital inclusion projects, supporting e-learning, healthcare digitization, smart agriculture and digital ID programs. When designed effectively, they ensure shared risks, clear accountability and outcomes that benefit both citizens and investors.

Key Focus Areas in This Session

To ensure that PPPs are not just theoretical frameworks but practical, high-impact initiatives, this session will explore three core areas critical to success. These focus points are designed to help attendees understand what makes a partnership thrive, the common pitfalls to avoid, and how to adapt successful models to fit Africa’s evolving digital ecosystem.

  1. Building sustainable partnerships between government entities, private enterprises, and development agencies.
  2. Tackling regulatory and operational barriers that hinder the rollout of digital solutions.
  3. Showcasing successful collaboration models in infrastructure financing, digital platforms and citizen-centric e-services.

This panel will also explore what it takes to structure PPPs that are mutually beneficial, inclusive and aligned with long-term public interest.

Join the Dialogue

If you’re a policymaker, investor, tech innovator, or development partner looking to understand the mechanics of impactful partnerships, this session will deliver actionable insights and real-world lessons. Have you registered for the conference yet? -> www.africaforum.tech

Unlocking Financial Inclusion Through FinTech, E-Commerce & Digital Payments

As digital technologies continue to reshape the economic landscape across Africa, one of the most powerful drivers of inclusive growth has been the rise of FinTech, E-commerce and Digital Payments.

During ATLC 2025, a dedicated breakout session will explore how these innovations are transforming lives at the county level, particularly in Kenya, and what they mean for the continent’s future.

With the conference theme, “Africa’s Digital Future: Innovations Driving Economic Transformation,” this session highlights how financial technologies are not just improving transactions but are also they’re expanding economic opportunity, reducing inequality and enabling sustainable development.

Why Digital Payments Matter

Kenya has long been considered a pioneer in mobile money adoption, but the evolution from basic mobile transfers to complex digital financial ecosystems is where the next leap lies. Counties are increasingly becoming active participants in promoting digital payment infrastructure for:

  • Revenue collection and service delivery through mobile and online platforms
  • Support to smallholder traders, women-led businesses and informal enterprises
  • E-commerce integration with local supply chains and logistics networks
  • Faster, more transparent disbursement of government funds and subsidies

Key Themes to Be Explored during the Session

This session will bring together county leaders, FinTech innovators and policy experts to examine:

  • The role of counties in adopting and scaling FinTech solutions for local development
  • Barriers and enablers to e-commerce growth in rural and peri-urban settings
  • How digital payments are enabling last-mile access to credit, insurance, and savings
  • Regulatory innovations that support financial inclusion while protecting consumers

Engaging Towards a Digitally Inclusive Economy

Beyond convenience, digital payments offer a pathway to formalization of informal economies, broader tax bases, improved public service efficiency and stronger local resilience. But to fully unlock these benefits, digital tools must be accessible, affordable and trusted.

ATLC 2025’s county-focused breakout will spotlight real-world examples and practical solutions for scaling inclusive digital finance across Kenya and beyond. Visit www.africaforum.tech for the full schedule of the conference.