The African Technology and Innovation Institutes (ATII) will host the first-ever African Industrial Forum (AIF) on Thursday, July 10, 2025. The event will be held online and is the flagship program of ATII.
It was founded by Nigerian Professor Rose-Margaret Ekeng-Itua, the first Black woman in the world to get a PhD in Cybernetics. The forum will bring together top leaders from government, business, education, and youth groups to push Africa’s growth in manufacturing using smart technologies.
The theme of the summit is “Africa’s Future: Shaping Global Industries Through Smart Manufacturing, Automation, and Artificial Intelligence.” This event will build on Africa’s recent growth, including Nigeria’s rise in foreign investment in manufacturing by 67% in 2023, reaching $1.59 billion. The forum has five main goals:
- Promote smart manufacturing with AI and automation.
- Encourage teamwork across different sectors.
- Prepare young people for high-tech jobs.
- Attract investment to support local production.
- Close the gap between industry needs and available skills.
Professor Rose-Margaret, who is based in the U.S., stressed the importance of working together. “This forum is a call to action for Africa,” she said. “We need to unite through innovation and build an industry powered by African talent.” She added that Africa must focus on growth that includes everyone and supports young people with the right tools and knowledge to succeed.
Some of the speakers expected at the event include:
- Dr. Kelechi Onyekachi Ofoegbu from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission
- Dr. Akanimo Odon, a research expert
- Ene Macharm from GIZ (a German development agency)
- Dr. Edem Wornyo, an expert in AI product management
- John Kamara, tech entrepreneur and co-founder of Adanian Labs
This summit is an important step in changing Africa’s role in the global economy—from being mostly consumers to becoming producers in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Right now, manufacturing only makes up 10% of Africa’s total economy. But with tools like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), there is a chance to boost trade between African countries by up to $450 billion by 2035.
The event on July 10 will also include a keynote talk on “Africa’s Industrial Renaissance,” a panel of experts from different sectors, and an awards ceremony to honour leaders in African industrial growth. Some of the partners helping to organise the event are Arthur Jarvis University, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Adanian Labs, the Cross River State Government, Blue Seal, and Sabi Africa Network.
The event is free and will be held on Zoom starting at 3:00 PM West African Time.
ATII is known for connecting research with real-world industry needs in Africa and for Indigenous communities. The group focuses on important areas like Artificial Intelligence, clean energy, climate change solutions, and more. ATII also works on helping women, improving health care, education, farming, and clean water. Their aim is to support local innovation and bring lasting development to Africa.
