4th EAC Regional STI Conference

🗓️The 4th EAC Regional STI Conference 2026 in #Kigali will gather policymakers, industry, academia, innovators, youth, and development partners to advance responsible, ethical, and strategic #AI adoption across the region🌍 🤖The conference will address skills gaps, infrastructure readiness, governance frameworks, and regulatory preparedness—while accelerating regional integration and sustainable development. 🖥️Register to attend virtually and be part of the regional AI dialogue: tinyurl.com/ai4eacvirtual #AI4EAC2026

#SponsorSpotlight: We’re proud to feature our Bronze Sponsor, @AFRALTI👏🏾 African Advanced Level Telecommunications Institute (AFRALTI) serves as a human capacity-building institution dedicated to the development of ICT skills and fostering digital innovation within #Africa Together with the British Council, AFRALTI will conduct a parallel session on #Day3 of the 4th EAC Regional STI Conference in #Kigali on strengthening Africa’s voice in global AI governance. Learn more: sti.easteco.org #AI4EAC2026 @mfbenda @easteco1 @iucea_info @UKinKenya @BritishCouncil

🤖AI offers significant opportunities to accelerate regional transformation by improving productivity, public service delivery, and innovation. 🗓️#Day1 of the 4th EAC Regional STI Conference 2026 on Monday, 30th March in #Kigali, will kick off with a #keynote presentation by Mr. Nakul Jain on “AI as a Cross-Cutting Driver of Resilient and Inclusive Growth in East Africa.” 🗣️Nakul is the CEO @WadhwaniAI, where he leads the development of AI-driven solutions to address critical challenges in healthcare, agriculture, education, and urban planning. 🖥️To join his presentation virtually, register here: ttps://tinyurl.com/ai4eacvirtual #AI4EAC2026 @iucea_info @easteco1 @eacgiz

#SponsorSpotlight: We’re proud to feature our Gold Sponsor, the Science for Africa Foundation✨ The SFA Foundation is a pan-African, non-profit and public charity organisation that supports, strengthens, and promotes science and innovation in #Africa We look forward to the remarks by the founding CEO, Dr. Tom Kariuki, PhD, at the 4th EAC Regional STI Conference in #Kigali To join the conference virtually, register here: tinyurl.com/ai4eacvirtual #AI4EAC2026

@MagalaFred6 @mfbenda @jumuiya @eacgiz Hi @MagalaFred6, you can be part of the EAC dialogue on #AI by attending virtually for free! Register here to receive all conference communique: tinyurl.com/ai4eacvirtual #AI4EAC2026

@mfbenda @EAC_STI @jumuiya @eacgiz How I wish I had a chance to take part, Doctor. I have a great interest in AI and how it can be integrated into the legal system—this would indeed help. @mfbenda, is there any chance, sir? 🙏🏿

As we prepare to convene the 4th EAC Regional STI Conference next week, from 30th March to 1st April 2026 in Kigali, this year’s conference reflects our collective commitment to ensuring that emerging technologies, particularly AI, are harnessed in ways that are inclusive, ethical and responsive to our development priorities as a region.

@jumuiya @mfbenda Join us for the 4th EAC Regional STI Conference 2026 in #Kigali, Rwanda, from 30th March to 1st April and be part of East Africa's premier STI gathering: tinyurl.com/ai4eacvirtual @mfbenda @iucea_info @easteco1 @SciforAfrica @ScienceTechRw #AI4EAC #AI4EAC2026

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝟰𝗧𝗛 𝗘𝗔𝗖 𝗦𝗖𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘, 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗚𝗬 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗩𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘 AI is already transforming how the world operates and East Africa must actively harness its potential! The Conference brings together policymakers, innovators, researchers and partners to drive practical dialogue, share knowledge, and build strategic collaborations on the responsible use of AI. Join us as we unlock real opportunities for inclusive growth, resilience, and innovation across the region. Register now: sti.easteco.org #AI4EAC2026 @EAC_STI @easteco1 @iucea_info @eacgiz

📢We're excited to announce that Dr. James Mwangi, CBS, Group MD and Group CEO, Equity Group Holdings, will deliver a keynote presentation at the 4th EAC Regional STI Conference 2026 in #Kigali on supporting #youth and #women AI innovators and entrepreneurs. 🗣️This dedicated session will not only celebrate youth-led ingenuity but also position young people as co-creators of the EAC’s digital and AI-driven future. 👏🏾Dr. Mwangi is widely recognized as one of Africa’s most influential figures, shaping global development policy and financial inclusion. This year, he was named to @devex's Power 50 list of individuals transforming development. 🔗Register to attend virtually for the #AI4EAC2026 conference & be part of the region's AI dialogue: tinyurl.com/ai4eacvirtual @mfbenda @RwandaICT @KeEquityBank @RwEquityBank @easteco1 @iucea_info #AI4EAC

🚨We’re delighted to announce that Hon. Paula Ingabire, Rwanda's Minister of ICT & Innovation, will be the distinguished #GuestOfHonour at the 4th EAC Regional STI Conference 2026 from 30 March to 1 April at the Kigali Convention Centre. 🇷🇼Hon. Paula was recognised among the world’s 100 leading public servants on #AI adoption (2025) and among the world’s 20 most influential people in digital government (2020) by @apoliticalco 🗓️This 4th edition of the biennial EAC Regional STI Conference series by @easteco1 and @iucea_info is the first to focus on Artificial Intelligence, recognising it not only as the defining technology of our time, but also as a powerful catalyst for realising the ambitions of the EAC’s 7th Development Strategy🌍@jumuiya Register now to join the premier AI dialogue: tinyurl.com/ai4eacvirtual #AI4EAC2026 @mfbenda @RwandaICT @eacgiz @UnescoEast @PLOS @ScienceTechRw @SciforAfrica @arin_africa @AI4EAC @NEPAD_Agency @UKinRwanda @tccafrica

Be part of this regional AI dialogue: tinyurl.com/ai4eacvirtual #AI4EAC2026 @easteco1 @iucea_info @SciforAfrica @eacgiz @NEPAD_Agency @UNESCO @arin_africa @ScienceTechRw @jumuiya @mfbenda @tccafrica

🗓️#Countdown:🔟Days To Go! 🤖The 4th EAC Regional STI Conference 2026 will provide a strategic platform for harnessing #AI as a catalyst for a resilient, inclusive, and innovative #EastAfrica 🌍As East Africa navigates the opportunities and challenges in emerging technologies, this conference continues to play a critical role in shaping policy dialogue, strengthening research and innovation ecosystems, and fostering partnerships that ensure AI development remains ethical, people-centered, and aligned with our shared development priorities. 👉🏾Be part of this regional AI dialogue: tinyurl.com/ai4eacvirtual #AI4EAC2026 @easteco1 @iucea_info @SciforAfrica @eacgiz @NEPAD_Agency @UNESCO @arin_africa @ScienceTechRw @jumuiya @mfbenda @tccafrica

Africa’s AI race is on. Only 16 countries have national AI strategies, while many are still catching up. Momentum is growing with major investments, policies, and partnerships but challenges like limited infrastructure, talent gaps, and weak regulation risk widening the divide. With 1.4B people and a booming digital market, the big question is: Will Africa create AI or just consume it? EASTECO @easteco1 is currently developing an EAC (8 Countries) Regional AI Strategy to harness AI as a driver of inclusive, sustainable, and regionally integrated development by strengthening shared capabilities in skills, infrastructure, innovation, and governance; accelerating responsible AI adoption in priority economic and public sectors; ensuring equitable access for all Partner States; and positioning the EAC as a credible and coordinated regional actor in continental and global AI ecosystems.

The 4th EAC Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Conference, taking place from 30th March - 1st April 2026 in Kigali, marks a significant milestone in advancing the region’s digital and innovation agenda. Under the theme “Harnessing Responsible Artificial Intelligence for the East Africa We Envision,” the conference reflects a growing regional commitment to leveraging AI as a cross-cutting driver of inclusive socio-economic transformation. As East Africa navigates opportunities and challenges in emerging technologies, this platform continues to play a critical role in shaping policy dialogue, strengthening research and innovation ecosystems, and fostering partnerships that ensure AI development remains ethical, people-centered and aligned with our shared development priorities.

🗣️#SpeakerSpotlight 📢We’re pleased to feature Jaume Fortuny, Senior Project Manager at OBREAL, as one of the distinguished #KeynoteSpeakers for the upcoming 4th EAC Regional STI Conference 2026 in #Rwanda. 🗓️Register now for the #AI4EAC2026 conference to hear from Jaume, who is passionate about #innovation and how AI can transform higher education. 👩🏾‍🎓Building a skilled AI workforce is critical for the EAC to harness emerging technologies for sustainable development, economic growth, and regional competitiveness. 🔗tinyurl.com/ai4eacvirtual #AI4EAC

We’re proud to share that Nicole Mulaku will moderate a plenary at the @EAC_STI Conference. Our Executive Director Joy Owango will join as a panelist discussing how Open Science & Science Diplomacy can support ethical and inclusive AI development. More: sti.easteco.org

📢#SpeakerSpotlight The growth of #AI relies on strong digital infrastructure, research capacity, and innovation ecosystems. AUDA-NEPAD's Director of Infrastructure and Energy, Industrialisation, Trade, and Regional Economic Integration, Amine Idriss Adoum (@amibiaka), will deliver a #Keynote at the 4th EAC Regional STI Conference: “Building Regional AI Infrastructure and Research Capacity in East Africa”. 🔗Register now to join virtually from 30 March – 1 April 2026: tinyurl.com/ai4eacvirtual #AI4EAC2026 #Agenda2063