Kenya Selected to Host 2024 Transform Africa Summit

NAIROBI — Kenya has been announced as the host country for the 2024 Transform Africa Summit (TAS-24), marking a significant achievement for the nation in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The announcement was made during the annual Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain, with Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication, and the Digital Economy, Eliud Owalo, in attendance.

According to Kenya News Agency, the coordinating secretariat for ICT programs and activities across the African continent, SMART AFRICA, Kenya’s successful bid emphasizes its role as a leader in leveraging ICT for socio-economic development.

Cabinet Secretary Owalo, in his acceptance speech, highlighted Kenya’s recognition as an ICT powerhouse and its commitment to driving digital transformation under the leadership of President William Ruto. Owalo expressed gratitude for the confidence placed in Kenya by the Smart Africa Alliance, noting that hosting the summit reaffirms Kenya’s status as a prime location for international conferences and an attractive destination for ICT investment.

The Transform Africa Summit, organized by the Smart Africa Alliance, serves as a premier forum for global and regional leaders in government, business, and international organizations to discuss and promote innovative digital solutions for Africa’s development challenges. The event seeks to foster collaboration and accelerate the digital revolution across the continent.

Kenya’s bid to host the summit was initiated in November of the previous year through the Communication Authority, demonstrating the country’s eagerness to showcase its technological advancements and leadership on an international stage. The summit is slated to occur in Nairobi from August 28 to 30, bringing together prominent figures in the ICT sector, including ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, several African Union commissioners, Smart Africa’s Director-General Lacina Kone, and ICT ministers from various African nations.

The selection of Kenya as the summit’s location is seen as an opportunity to highlight the nation’s digital agenda and its contributions to Africa’s ICT sector. The event is expected to draw attention to the innovative digital strategies being employed in Kenya and across the continent to foster economic growth and development.