Rwanda hosts AI for Impact Global South Forum
Date: 2026-01-22
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
Leaders
from government, industry and academia convened in Kigali for the AI for Impact
Global South Forum to deliberate on the responsible deployment of artificial
intelligence across key sectors, including agriculture, health and education.
The forum was organised by the High Commission of India in Kigali in
collaboration with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation (MINICT) and Wadhwani AI
Global.
The
event, which served as a prelude to the India AI Impact Summit 2026, brought
together stakeholders to explore practical pathways for harnessing AI as a
public good while laying the groundwork for strategic partnerships between
Africa and global technology actors.
Speaking
at the forum, Rwanda’s Minister of State, Yves Iradukunda, underscored the
importance of deliberate investments in human capital and the development of
high-impact use cases as central to Africa’s AI ambitions. He noted that
Africa’s youthful and increasingly connected population presents a unique
opportunity to accelerate innovation and apply AI solutions to shared
developmental challenges.
Discussions
throughout the forum focused on ensuring that AI adoption in critical sectors
is inclusive, ethical and aligned with socio-economic development goals.
Participants emphasized the need for collaboration between policymakers,
researchers and the private sector to translate emerging technologies into
tangible benefits for communities.
The
AI for Impact Global South Forum reinforced Rwanda’s growing role as a
convening hub for global conversations on responsible technology adoption and
highlighted the importance of positioning AI as a driver of sustainable
development across the Global South.
