The Future of Africa: Interoperability, AI, & Public Policy across Critical Sectors
Uniting Heads of State, Ministers, Builders, and Global Leaders to translate policy into actionable continental impact.
A new kind of continental convening, in its first year.
This is the maiden edition of the OpenGov Africa Summit. There is no past event to look back on, only a first one to get right. The figures below are targets we are building toward, not a record of a prior year.
The program mixes invited government officials, chief executives, and industry leaders with an open Call for Proposals, so the stage reflects both established global voices and emerging African voices. Attendance is free for students, and every session is available in the Physical Hub in Lagos or through our Virtual Hubs.
Distinguished Leadership & Open Calls
Toggle below to explore Advisory stewards, distinguished speakers, institutional partners, join our campaign, or nominate someone for an award.
Mei Lin Fung
Co-founder Nehitek | Vice Chair UN AI for Good Impact Steering Committee
Nehitek Foundation
Maria-Ecaterina Nistor
PhD Researcher, KNOW.THY.AI Project, University of Liège | Founder & Executive Director, The Research Bridge
The Research Bridge & University of Liège
Advisory Expansion
Nominate high-level state representatives and diplomatic stewards under continental mandate.
Mala Kumar
Executive Director, Humane Intelligence
"Keynote Address on Sovereign Open Source & AI Safety Governance across Public Sectors."
Joseph K. Vallai Jr.
Deputy Presidential Press Secretary, Office of the President, Republic of Liberia
"Reimagining Governance in Africa: Leveraging AI and Digital Innovation for Inclusive Development."
Hon. Arabey Hashi Abdi
Director General, Ministry of Petroleum & Mineral Resources, Somalia
"Resource Governance, Extractives Accountability, and Energy Infrastructure."
The Commons Co.
Convening Entity
Lagos State
Host City
Humane Intelligence
Technical & AI Safety Partner
"Tell Your Story" Campaign
An open invitation welcoming participants, governments, speakers, and technologists/builders across Africa to share what they'd like to see before, during, and after the Summit, through their own unique lens in relation to this year's open governance theme.
Four-Way Stakeholder Lens
Each stakeholder group narrates the same questions from where they sit via video, text, or voice note.
"Contributors retain full agency over their stories, how they're used, and the impact they create."
Pan-African OpenGov Awards Nominations
Celebrating groundbreaking achievements in public accountability, interoperable civic tech, data transparency, and citizen-first governance across Africa. Nominate transformative public sector projects or visionary leaders today.
Nine Tracks. Governance touches every one of them.
Sessions across the Physical Hub and Virtual Campus are organized into nine core tracks spanning policy, technology, and the real economy.
Governance & Society
Civic institutions, public accountability, and democratic participation.
AI, Security, & Digital Frontiers
AI policy, security, digital public infrastructure, and data governance.
Planet & Resources
Climate policy, extractives, and resource justice.
Aviation & Logistics
Cross-border movement, transport policy, and supply chains.
Finance & Economic Transformation
Trade, industrial policy, and continental economic integration.
Health, Environment & Sanitation
Public health systems, environmental policy, and sanitation access.
Innovation, Enterprise & The Real Economy
Entrepreneurship, SMEs, and the innovation ecosystem.
Human Capital & Cultural Continuity
Education, workforce development, and cultural heritage.
Africa's Soft Power
Diplomacy, creative industries, and continental narrative.
Program Explorer
Explore sessions across all nine tracks. Each track features its own color code, 15-min keynotes, and 40-min panel discussions.
Opening Keynote: Sovereign Digital Infrastructures & Public Accountability
Invited Heads of State & AU Delegates
Panel: Reimagining Governance in Africa through Civic Engagement
Joseph K. Vallai Jr. & Panel of Ministerial Representatives
Keynote: Public Sector Artificial Intelligence Ethics & Safety
Mala Kumar (Humane Intelligence)
Participate in Africa's Premier Open Governance Convening
Three ways into the summit, each with its own path and its own commitment.
Become a Sponsor
Position your organization at the forefront of sovereign technology, public sector modernization, and diplomacy across Africa.
Apply to Speak
Are you leading or building ina critical sector or policy making initiative? Submit your keynotes or panel session for review.
Register to Attend
Secure in-person delegation passes for the Lagos hub or register for virtual session passes.
Accessibility & Inclusion Statement
Inclusion is built into the summit’s plan from day one. Our physical venues provide wheelchair access, sign language interpretation, childcare etc.
Sign Language & EN/FR
Live interpretation for all main sessions.
Wheelchair Access
Step-free access across Physical Hubs.
Staffed Mini Crèche
Childcare support for attending parents.
Accessible Transport
Shuttle support to and from the Hub.
