{"id":27976,"date":"2025-06-28T15:15:06","date_gmt":"2025-06-28T14:15:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naijaeyesblog.com\/?p=27976"},"modified":"2025-06-28T15:15:07","modified_gmt":"2025-06-28T14:15:07","slug":"atii-african-industrial-forum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naijaeyesblog.com\/ro\/atii-african-industrial-forum\/","title":{"rendered":"ATII Launches African Industrial Forum to Advance Smart Tech"},"content":{"rendered":"

The African Technology and Innovation Institutes (ATII) is set to host the inaugural African Industrial Forum (AIF)<\/strong>\u2014a flagship initiative aimed at positioning the continent as a leader in smart manufacturing, automation, and artificial intelligence. Scheduled for Thursday, July 10, 2025<\/strong>, the fully virtual event promises to be a pivotal moment for Africa\u2019s ambitions to transition from industrial consumer to producer on the global stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded by Nigerian trailblazer Professor Rose\u2011Margaret Ekeng\u2011Itua\u2014recognised as the world\u2019s first Black woman to earn a PhD in Cybernetics\u2014the AIF marks both the culmination of ATII\u2019s groundwork and a clarion call for collective African industrial innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Forum with a Purpose<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Under the banner \u201cAfrica’s Future: Shaping Global Industries Through Smart Manufacturing, Automation, and Artificial Intelligence\u201d<\/em>, the ATII forum is designed to deliver on five key objectives:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Accelerate the adoption of AI and automation<\/strong> in manufacturing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Promote cross-sector collaboration<\/strong>, linking stakeholders from policy, academia, industry, and youth leadership.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Empower young Africans<\/strong> through targeted training aligned with emerging industrial jobs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Mobilise investment<\/strong> into local technology-driven production ecosystems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Close workforce skills gaps<\/strong>, preparing a next-generation industrial workforce.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    These goals serve as a strategic response to Africa’s manufacturing output\u2014currently contributing around 10% to continental GDP\u2014and a commitment to active engagement with initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), projected to unlock up to $450 billion in intra-African trade by 2035.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A Call to Action From Leadership<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    In the event\u2019s official press statement, Professor Ekeng\u2011Itua issued a heartfelt appeal for unity and innovation across the continent:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    \u201cThis is more than a forum\u2014it\u2019s Africa\u2019s call to action\u2026 Through unity and innovation, we will build an industrial legacy defined by African ingenuity. The AIF Summit unites stakeholders to ensure we become industrial innovators by design, not default.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    She emphasised the importance of systemic coordination\u2014linking educational pathways with employment opportunities, and aligning policy with practical outcomes\u2014to empower youth as architects of Africa\u2019s industrial renaissance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"ATII<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Assembling a Dynamic Speaker Lineup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Reflecting the multifaceted vision of the forum, ATII has confirmed an impressive lineup of industry leaders and disruptive thinkers, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n