AFRICAN INDUSTRIAL FORUM 2025: A Clarion Call to Redefine Africa’s Tech-Led Industrial Future
On the 10th of July 2025 at 3:00 PM WAT, over 100 changemakers across government, academia, civil society, and the private sector converged for the African Industrial Forum (AIF) 2025) across the globe, a thought-provoking summit organized by the African Technology and Innovation Institute (ATII).
Opening remarks were delivered by Ambassador Philberth Abaka Johnson, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Representative to Nigeria, who was represented by Ms Emem Umana. She emphasized the importance of fostering cross-sector collaboration and urged African stakeholders to seize the momentum to transition from consumer economies to production powerhouses.
AIF 2025 was not merely an event; it was the birth of a movement. As Prof Rose-Margaret Ekeng Itua, founder of ATII, passionately shared, AIF emerged from a deep-rooted vision to convene visionaries, disruptors, doers, and believers in Africa’s capacity not just to catch up but to lead. Through ATII, she explained, the goal is to build a pan-African ecosystem of learning, innovation, and collaboration by linking academia, industry, and government in purpose-driven partnerships.
Keynotes and contributions from influential speakers enriched the dialogue and charged the atmosphere with urgency and purpose.
Mr John Kamara, Founder of the AI Centre of Excellence Africa (AICE) and AfyaRekod, challenged participants to reimagine Africa not as a continent playing catch-up but as a global pacesetter in artificial intelligence and data-driven innovation. If he were to summarize his message: “Africa is not late. We are just beginning. With our untapped potential, now is the time to build our data infrastructure, leverage indigenous knowledge, and take ownership of our technological future.”
Dr Edem Wornyo, Senior Strategic Research Program Management Leader at Google, highlighted the critical role of inclusive research, pan-African datasets, and strategic collaboration in ensuring that Africa’s industrial and technological aspirations are not just heard but felt globally.
Ms Macharm, Head of Global Partnerships at GET.transform, added a powerful perspective on Africa’s energy transition. She encouraged partnerships that deliver sustainable energy infrastructure in tandem with digital transformation and emphasized the need to empower communities at the grassroots level with affordable and scalable clean energy solutions.
The CEO of Iboto Empire, Chief Jacobs Orok, speaking with a heart of legacy and vision, inspired the audience with his call to action. “African industries must stop outsourcing their dreams. We have what it takes. It is time to own our brands, tell our stories, and build with intentionality.”
The forum closed with a strong call from ATII for long-term collaborations across sectors and generations. The conversations were not left to linger in the virtual ether. AIF 2025 gained massive media attention and was featured across major national platforms, signaling its weight and reach.
As Featured In:
Leadership Newspaper: https://leadership.ng/group-to-drive-africas-tech-led-industrial-revolution-offers-tips-to-unlock-450bn-intra-african-trade/
The Nation newspaper: https://thenationonlineng.net/atii-hosts-african-forum-to-drive-industrial-revolution/amp/
BreezynewsNigeria newspaper: https://breezynewsnigeria.com/african-tech-institutes-hold-forum-to-drive-africas-tech-led-industrial-revolution/
DailyPost newspaper: https://dailypost.ng/2025/06/28/african-technology-innovation-institutes-holds-african-forum-to-drive-continents-tech-led-industrial-revolution/
The SUN newspaper https://thesun.ng/aif-harps-on-africas-tech-driven-industrial-sovereignty/?amp
The African Industrial Forum 2025 may have concluded, but its mission is only just beginning. From this summit, new alliances are forming, ideas are crystallizing, and a continent is awakening to its full industrial and technological might.
Rewatch the full event here: YouTube
