Africa’s push for technological independence took centre stage in Accra on February 13, as the Rethink Africa Intelligence Conference 2026 was officially launched at the Google AI Centre.
The main conference is scheduled for April 10 and 11, 2026, at the University of Professional Studies, Accra, under the theme “building Africa’s intelligence ecosystem for sovereignty and prosperity”. Organisers say the gathering will move beyond rhetoric to chart a coordinated pathway for Africa’s digital future.
Launching the initiative, the Chief Executive Officer of Rethink Africa Intelligence, John Ofori, underscored that the platform is intended to be transformative rather than ceremonial. “This is not simply an event; it is an ecosystem platform,” he said. He explained that the objective is to bring together those who design algorithms, own infrastructure, fund research and deploy artificial intelligence solutions across the continent into a shared framework for collaboration.
Artificial intelligence is increasingly regarded as a cornerstone of global economic competitiveness, reshaping industries from agriculture and healthcare to finance, education and public governance. Against that backdrop, speakers at the launch argued that Africa must act decisively to avoid being relegated to the margins of the digital revolution.
Board member Ing. Richard Densu warned that the continent risks deepening its technological dependence if it fails to invest strategically in its own systems. “If we do not build our own AI ecosystems, we risk becoming permanent consumers of systems built elsewhere, exporting our data, importing intelligence and limiting our economic sovereignty,” he said.
He noted that global competition has shifted beyond natural resources to what he termed “intelligence capacity”, encompassing talent development, data governance and innovation infrastructure. In his view, the race for competitiveness now hinges on how well nations cultivate skilled human capital and build robust digital ecosystems.
According to the organisers, the conference will convene representatives from government agencies, universities, start-ups, corporations and the investment community with the intention of translating dialogue into tangible outcomes. The agenda will centre on four pillars: talent development, research and knowledge production, funding and capital alignment, and ecosystem building.
Among the initiatives under consideration are structured internships and AI fellowships, joint research laboratories, venture partnerships and policy dialogue aimed at strengthening what organisers describe as “sovereign AI capabilities”.
Mr Densu also outlined longer-term proposals, including a National AI Digital Literacy and Skills Programme designed to expand artificial intelligence education from basic schools through to universities. Plans are also being explored for an AI Startup Fund to support innovation in priority sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education and climate resilience.
The conference is being organised in collaboration with Google, IoT Network Hub and the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Centre of Excellence in ICT.
In a closing appeal to participants, Mr Densu urged stakeholders to shape Africa’s digital trajectory rather than react to it. “The future will be designed,” he said. “Let us design it here.”
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh