Uganda is hosting the inaugural Middle East & Africa Digital Transformation Summit at the Kampala Serena Hotel. The three-day event, which concludes on June 27, has gathered public and private sector leaders from across Africa and the Middle East to chart a bold course for collaborative digital progress.

Uganda’s Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja presided over the launch, joined by Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi and Hon. Joyce Ssebugwawo. All three reaffirmed Uganda’s unwavering commitment to digital transformation, describing it as a cornerstone for inclusive socio-economic growth, innovation, and regional competitiveness.

“This summit is not just a ceremonial gathering,” emphasized Hon. Baryomunsi. “It is a recognition that our future lies in robust digital infrastructure, skills development, and AI-driven solutions that improve lives.”

Themed “Driving Inclusive Socio-Economic Development through Digital Transformation,” the summit positions Africa and the Middle East as partners in digital advancement, with discussions spanning digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, fintech, artificial intelligence (AI), and the potential of a digitally connected agro-trade corridor between the two regions.

In a stirring keynote, Mr. James Chimwaza, Board President of the COMESA Business Council (CBC), challenged participants to rise above conventional thinking. “It is important for us all not to take this summit with a business-as-usual spirit,” Chimwaza said. “Our reflection must lead to solutions, especially as we face pressing challenges like food security and economic fragility.”

Drawing on a conversation with a Malawian farmer, Chimwaza offered a powerful metaphor: “When the market is a rumor, I plant what my father planted. When the market is a message, I plant what my children can sell.”

Chimwaza urged stakeholders to replace speculation with real-time, trustworthy digital information: “Let us replace rumors with messages that travel from Kampala fields to Riyadh shelves without losing integrity.”

He noted that within recent global disruptions—climate shocks, freight bottlenecks, and rising consumption—lies an opportunity for transformation through bold, data-driven collaboration. “Digitalization is not waiting at the door,” he stressed. “It’s already in our homes, our businesses, and our institutions. The question is: how fast can we seize the moment?”

Uganda, with mobile penetration above 70% and a national digital roadmap underway, stands as a proof point for what’s possible. With thriving fintech ecosystems and expanding e-government services, the country is emerging as a hub for inclusive tech growth.

According to Chimwaza, the economic case for a Middle East–Africa digital corridor is compelling:

“Digital trust lubricates trade,” he said. “From farm to port, transparency, smart finance, and early demand signals turn fragmented producers into reliable suppliers.”

By 2050, Africa’s digital economy is expected to reach US$720 billion. Meanwhile, the Middle East’s digital output is projected to contribute up to 8% of GDP by 2030. These are not just statistics—they are indicators of an emerging synergy.

The Middle East & Africa Digital Transformation Summit spotlighted the concept of a “digital core”—shared infrastructure that connects systems across borders, enabling everything from digitized certificates to trackable cargo logistics. Chimwaza emphasized that such platforms aren’t commercial products, but rather vital public goods akin to ports or highways.

In sectors like agriculture, fintech, health, and education, the summit emphasizes complementary strengths: Africa’s youthful, tech-savvy workforce and startup ecosystems meet the Middle East’s advanced infrastructure and investment capital.

Chimwaza closed with a salute to African governments’ progress in regulatory maturity—from central banks and revenue authorities to standards agencies and land registries—arguing that these institutions are now digitally ready to power the continent’s next leap.

“African governments may have failed in many things,” he said candidly, “but in building these institutions, they have done a great job. All that is left is digital transformation. And with it, we will be ready to produce at scale—guided by informed demand, not guesswork.”

Over the next two days, summit participants will convene panels on cybersecurity, digital skills development, artificial intelligence, and next-generation infrastructure. Behind the scenes, bilateral meetings will explore financing arrangements for undersea cables, cross-border e-payment platforms, and regional data centers.

As the Prime Minister noted in her closing remarks, “The world is watching. The question is not whether Africa and the Middle East will lead digital transformation, but how quickly—and how inclusively—we can move forward together.”

With that charge, the first Middle East & Africa Digital Transformation Summit officially set its course: forging a new era of collaboration where technology bridges geographies, amplifies local ingenuity, and secures shared prosperity for millions.