The African Technology and Innovation Institutes (ATII) is set to hold the inaugural summit of its flagship initiative, the African Industrial Forum (AIF), set for Thursday, July 10, 2025. Founded by Nigeria’s Professor Rose-Margaret Ekeng-Itua, the world’s first Black woman to earn a PhD in Cybernetics, the virtual forum will convene policymakers, industry titans, academics, and youth leaders to accelerate Africa’s transformation into a global manufacturing powerhouse through smart technologies.
The event is themed ‘Africa’s Future: Shaping Global Industries Through Smart Manufacturing, Automation, and Artificial Intelligence’, and will build on recent momentum, including Nigeria’s 67% surge in manufacturing FDI ($1.59 billion in 2023). It aims to drive five critical goals: advance smart manufacturing through AI and automation; foster cross-sector collaboration; empower youth for high-tech industrial jobs; mobilise investments in local production ecosystems; and bridge workforce skills gaps.
Speaking on the essence of the summit, the U.S.-based Professor Rose-Margaret calls for collaboration: “This is more than a forum—it’s Africa’s call to action,” she affirmed. “Through unity and innovation, we will build an industrial legacy defined by African ingenuity.” “Africa’s rise demands sustainable, inclusive growth.
“The AIF Summit unites stakeholders to ensure we become industrial innovators by design, not default. We must connect education to employment, policy to practice, and vision to implementation, empowering our youth to thrive as architects of Africa’s renaissance,” she said in a press statement.
Speakers lined up for the event include the Executive Commissioner, Corporate Services & Administration, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, Dr. Kelechi Onyekachi Ofoegbu; Research Expert, Dr. Akanimo Odon; Head of Component, Social Infrastructure and Energising Development (EnDev) at Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Ene Macharm; Cross-Functional AI Agile Product Management Strategist, Dr. Edem Wornyo; Tech Entrepreneur & Co-Founder, Adanian Labs, Mr. John Kamara.
The summit marks a strategic leap toward repositioning the continent from consumer to producer in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, addressing manufacturing’s current 10% contribution to continental GDP and aims to harness opportunities like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), projected to unlock $450 billion in intra-African trade by 2035.
In addition, the July 10 summit will feature a keynote on “Africa’s Industrial Renaissance,” a multi-sector stakeholder panel, and awards honouring pioneers in African industrialisation. ATII’s strategic partners for the event include Arthur Jarvis University, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Adanian Labs, Cross River State Government, Blue Seal, and Sabi Africa Network.
Registration for the programme is free. The virtual event will commence at 3:00 PM WAT via Zoom, with registration at
About ATII
The African Technology and Innovation Institutes (ATII) serves as a crucial knowledge transfer hub, bridging the gap between research and industry for Africa and Indigenous communities. We empower local innovation by providing tailored support for policy-relevant research in key areas, including Artificial Intelligence, Clean Technology, Climate Resilience, and more.
By focusing on needs-based development, we enable sustainable solutions that enhance healthcare, education, clean water access, and agricultural practices while promoting women’s empowerment. Partner with ATII to drive impactful change and foster a thriving ecosystem of technological advancement in Africa.
