AI for Good: Accelerating Economic Digital Inclusion Across Sectors in Africa

Side Event of Science Forum South Africa (SFSA) 2025
Hosted by Fetsi Impact Hub

FETSI Impact Hub is pleased to invite participants to the AI for Good Side Event, an official engagement of Science Forum South Africa (SFSA) 2025, focused on advancing inclusive, responsible, and people-centred AI adoption across the continent.

Event Details

Date: Tuesday, 25 November 2025
Time: 12:00 – 14:15
Venue: DIAMOND AUDITORIUM  CSIR International Convention Centre (CSIR ICC), Pretoria

Participants: Open to policymakers, innovators, researchers, Digital Transformation leaders, civil society champions working in digital transformation and inclusion.

(Attendance limited — early registration advised.)

 Purpose

To generate actionable insights and cross-sector strategies that ensure inclusive AI adoption, bridging gaps in SME readiness, gender equality, governance, financial integrity, and digital resilience.

About the Event

Africa is  in an era where AI can unlock inclusive economic participation, transform public services, and strengthen opportunities for communities across sectors. Yet digital divides, unequal access, and limited readiness risk widening disparities.

This side event will explore how AI can be deployed responsibly and equitably to advance economic digital inclusion in areas such as:

• Education and future skills

• SMEs and entrepreneurship

• Public sector innovation

Anchored in Africa’s digital transformation priorities and aligned with continental frameworks like STISA-2034 and the AU Digital Transformation Strategy, this session aims to strengthen Africa’s leadership in shaping an inclusive AI future.

Objectives

The session seeks to:

• Identify pathways to integrate AI into development priorities.

• Highlight Inclusion Gaps in AI Adoption. Identify who benefits, who is at risk of exclusion, and the barriers faced by SMEs, marginalized communities, and public institutions.

• Promote Security and Resilience as Foundational to Inclusive AI

  Showcase Zero Trust frameworks, data protection, and cyber-resilient architectures as enablers of trustworthy AI adoption.

• Foster Ethical and Equitable AI Practices

  Explore gender fairness, bias mitigation, and human-centred governance in AI systems for responsible deployment across sectors.

• Strengthen Cross-Sector Collaboration and Capacity Building

  Facilitate dialogue between government, industry, SMEs, and civil society to define actionable strategies for AI literacy, innovation, and public sector readiness.

• Generate Actionable Recommendations and Commitments

  Produce tangible next steps, shared commitments, and policy insights that advance inclusive digital transformation and AI adoption in Africa.

• To ensure AI becomes a force for inclusion, not inequality 

• To use AI to enable Africans to create and govern it responsibly, driving sustainable transformation across the continent.

• Promote responsible and human-centred AI for digital inclusion and economic empowerment 
   

• Strengthen Africa’s readiness to adopt, regulate, and benefit from AI across sectors

 Expected Outcomes

• Clear identification of who benefits and who is at risk of being left behind in AI adoption.

• Actionable cross-sector strategies for SME readiness, public governance, ethical AI, and financial inclusion.

• Commitment from participants to scale AI literacy and innovation capacity across youth, women, rural, and underserved communities.

• Insights feeding into national AI policy discussions and inclusive digital transformation frameworks.

Who Should Attend

Professionals and stakeholders working in:

• Digital transformation

• Innovation and technology

• Skills development and education

• Public policy and governance

• Civil society and youth development

• Research, academia, and entrepreneurship

Structure:

• Keynote Address (Zaheer Haniff, Dell Technologies):
  “The Resilience Backbone: Securing Africa’s AI Future for Inclusive Digital Transformation”
  Focus: Security, Zero Trust frameworks, resilience, and protecting vulnerable communities as the foundation for inclusive AI adoption.

• Panel Discussion (40 mins):
  “AI Adoption in Africa: Who Benefits, Who Gets Left Behind, and How We Close the Gap”
  Panelists & Focus Areas:

1. Danie Schoeman – SME readiness, digital access, economic participation.

2. Annika Ojala – Gender, fairness, and justice in AI systems; global lessons.

3. Gerald Mariemuthoo – Financial integrity, regulatory safeguards, inclusion.

4. Amelia Masubelele – Public-sector governance, ethical AI, citizen protection.

• Insight Talk (Rebatho Madiba):
  “The Sixth Essential Question: Why 5W1H Thinking is Critical for the Age of AI”
  Focus: Practical frameworks to guide inclusive AI strategy and problem-solving.

• Audience Dialogue & Reflection (30 mins):
  Interactive session to:

• Identify practical strategies for scaling AI literacy and innovation capacity across Africa.

• Define shared commitments and next steps for cross-sector collaboration.

• Surface actionable policy and governance insights for inclusive AI adoption.

Registration

Limited spaces available.

Secure your place and join us in shaping a future where AI drives equity, opportunity, and inclusive growth across Africa.