Table of Contents
Introduction
Artificial Intelligence in Africa (AIIA) took center stage at the Online Artificial Intelligence Workshop hosted by the ISACA Abuja Chapter, where its founder, Dr. Oluwaseun Ogunmola, delivered a powerful keynote address on “Driving Real-World AI Impact Across Africa.” The event brought together professionals and tech leaders from Nigeria and Kenya, opening critical dialogue on the transformative potential of AI across sectors.
The Keynote
The keynote underscored AIIA’s mission to democratize AI knowledge, tools, and opportunities for all Africans, while highlighting the organization’s wide-reaching programs—ranging from AI bootcamps and fellowships to policy advocacy and local language AI labs. Dr. Ogunmola walked the audience through compelling real-world use cases in agriculture, education, healthcare, finance, and governance, showcasing how AI can address Africa’s most pressing challenges.
“In Africa, AI isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a bridge to leapfrog traditional development constraints,” said Dr. Ogunmola. He emphasized that ethical, localized innovation is key to ensuring AI solutions are relevant, inclusive, and sustainable across African communities.
Major Highlights
Notable highlights from the presentation included:
- The RCCG AI Training Initiative, which empowered over 100 youth in Lagos with practical AI skills.
- STEM and AI education programs in Ondo State, developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Education.
- The development of CindyAI, an AI-powered educational assistant tailored to the needs of African learners.
Dr. Ogunmola also provided a roadmap for professionals seeking to leverage AI in their organizations—stressing the importance of starting small, focusing on problem-driven adoption, and ensuring data ethics and capacity building.
Participants were given access to free learning resources including “AI Basics: Understanding its Impact Across Industries” and the “AI for Professionals Cheat Sheet and Workbook.”
As Africa positions itself for the next wave of digital transformation, the keynote made one message clear: AI’s success on the continent depends on local leadership, practical action, and inclusive collaboration.
For more on AIIA’s work or to collaborate, visit https://aiia.teravest.com.ng or contact the team via aiia@teravest.com.ng.
