Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani; Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Abdullahi; and Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science & Technology, Olatunbosun Alake, will headline a high-profile virtual pre-event forum organised by the Foreign Investment Network (FIN).
The virtual session, scheduled for Friday, October 10, 2025, serves as a precursor to the FIN Web Conference & AI Expo 2025, which will take place from November 16 to 18, 2025, at the Computer History Museum in Silicon Valley, Northern California, United States.
According to organisers, the pre-event forum will explore the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), investment, sustainability, and Africa’s digital future, while emphasising the continent’s growing role in shaping the global digital economy.
In a statement on Tuesday, FIN highlighted the need for Africa to assert its presence in global AI discourse, advance sustainable digital economies, and strengthen investment bridges with Silicon Valley.
“This forum provides direct access to investors, policymakers, and innovators in Silicon Valley and encourages a showcase of Africa’s expertise in AI, fintech, cybersecurity, sustainability, and digital infrastructure,” the statement read.
FIN’s Director of International Communications, Ayo Ayeni, said the session would convene global tech leaders, investors, innovators, and policymakers for an intensive “power hour” of strategic insights and actionable takeaways.
Other confirmed speakers include former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, Hotmail co-founder Sabeer Bhatia, global AI strategist and venture advisor Mark Minevich, and Chairman of IDCA Mehdi Paryavi, a leading authority on data-centre standards.
The forum will be hosted and moderated by Dalith Steiger, Co-Founder of SwissCognitive and a globally recognised convener of AI industry dialogue. Discussions will focus on AI adoption, investment opportunities, and the impact of emerging technologies on Africa’s digital transformation.
FIN Chairman, Dr. Olayinka Fayomi, will deliver the opening remarks under the theme, “Championing Africa–Silicon Valley Investment Bridges and the Digital Economy.”
Mark Minevich will deliver the keynote address titled “Sovereign AI for Inclusive Growth: A Practical 12-Month Roadmap for Africa’s Digital Economy,” while Eric Schmidt and Mehdi Paryavi will also deliver keynotes on “Building AI-Ready Data Centers: Standards, Sustainability, and Sovereign Digital Infrastructure.”
Distinguished global thought leaders expected at the forum include Prabhav Sharma (AI & Industry Transformation Leader), Wayne Ronhaar (Digital Infrastructure & Sustainability Strategist), Tim Kline (Enterprise Innovation Specialist), and Gaurav Dhar (CEO, Marshal Fintech Partners; Board Member, MENA Fintech Association).
Additional speakers include Dr. Nizar Ben Neji, former Tunisian Minister of Communication Technologies; Paula Ingabire, Rwanda’s Minister of ICT & Innovation; William Kabogo Gitau, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications & the Digital Economy; Enzo Di Taranto, President of Xzen Technologies INC; Samuel Nartey George, Ghana’s Minister for Communication, Digital Technology & Innovations; and Sid Ali Zerrouki, Algeria’s Minister of Post & Telecommunications.
The FIN Web Conference & AI Expo 2025 is positioned as a premier global gathering of policymakers, investors, and innovators focused on shaping the future of the global digital economy through dialogue on AI, investment, and sustainability.
