Rwandan President Paul Kagame on Wednesday called for increased investment in artificial intelligence (AI) across Africa, saying the continent is well positioned to play a leading role in the global digital economy through its young, talented, and rapidly growing workforce. Speaking at the opening of the AI for Good Global Summit 2026 in Geneva, held under the theme "Unlocking AI's Potential to Serve Humanity," President Kagame emphasized the need to accelerate AI adoption while ensuring that no region is left behind in the digital transformation. Addressing global leaders, policymakers, and

Rwandan President Paul Kagame on Wednesday called for increased investment in artificial intelligence (AI) across Africa, saying the continent is well positioned to play a leading role in the global digital economy through its young, talented, and rapidly growing workforce. Speaking at the opening of the AI for Good Global Summit 2026 in Geneva, held under the theme "Unlocking AI's Potential to Serve Humanity," President Kagame emphasized the need to accelerate AI adoption while ensuring that no region is left behind in the digital transformation. Addressing global leaders, policymakers, and technology experts, Kagame highlighted that AI is becoming the driving force behind the next phase of development. "Today, connectivity is no longer the end goal. We are now transitioning to the era of data-driven growth. Artificial intelligence is the common denominator that will redefine healthcare, education and energy, among many other sectors," President Kagame said. He stressed that the responsibility of global leaders is to ensure AI promotes inclusion rather than deepening existing inequalities. "As a commission, our mission is to ensure this transformation does not widen existing divisions. The task ahead of us is urgent, but we will face challenges. The objective isn't just to have a conversation. It is to ensure everything we agree to do gets translated into tangible and practical outcomes," he added. During the summit, President Kagame officially launched the AI for Good Global Commission alongside Co-Chair Marc Benioff, Chair and CEO of Salesforce, and Vice-Chair Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). He called on governments, technology companies, international organizations, and other stakeholders to strengthen global cooperation and develop responsible AI policies that ensure the technology benefits all of humanity. President Kagame also joined Marc Benioff and Doreen Bogdan-Martin for a fireside chat marking the official launch of the AI for Good Global Commission. Later, the three leaders co-chaired the Commission's inaugural meeting, setting the agenda for its future work. The AI for Good Global Commission is a high-level initiative bringing together 44 commissioners from governments, international organizations, academia, civil society, and the private sector. Its mission is to identify practical and actionable ways to harness artificial intelligence to address some of the world's most pressing challenges while ensuring the technology is inclusive, ethical, and accessible. Kagame noted that strategic investment in digital infrastructure, innovation, and skills development will enable African countries to leverage AI as a catalyst for economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development, while helping to narrow the global digital divide. His remarks reinforced Rwanda's growing role in global conversations on digital transformation, innovation, and responsible AI governance.

President Paul Kagame called for greater AI investment across Africa at the AI for Good Global Summit 2026 in Geneva, saying the continent's young workforce can help drive the global digital economy.

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