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President Paul Kagame to Officially Open the MWC25 Kigali Conference, Set to Shape Africa’s Digital Future
Among the distinguished participants of this year’s MWC25 Kigali is His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, who will officially open the conference on October 21, 2025, at the Kigali Convention Centre. This marks the third consecutive time that President Kagame inaugurates the continent’s flagship connectivity event hosted in Kigali.
Vivek Badrinath, Director General of GSMA, expressed his appreciation for President Kagame’s continued support, stating:
“We are delighted and honoured to welcome His Excellency President Paul Kagame to MWC Kigali for the third consecutive edition. It is a privilege to bring together innovators, business leaders, and policymakers to discuss critical issues shaping Africa’s digital ambitions. I look forward to engaging with leaders across sectors to define the next chapter of Africa’s digital transformation from smartphone affordability and AI adoption to advancing connectivity and fintech solutions.”
This year’s event will bring together leading figures from the United Nations’ International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Ministry of ICT and Innovation of Rwanda (MINICT), as well as senior executives from top global and regional companies including Airtel Africa, Amini, Axian Telecom Group, Ethio Telecom, Huawei, MTN Group, Orange, and ZTE.
A vibrant exhibition will also feature major industry players such as Ericsson, Ethiotel, Fraudbuster, Ookla, SES, Telcoin, Terrapay, and others.
In addition, the Orange Social Ventures Prize will once again be presented during the conference, celebrating innovators and entrepreneurs from across Africa and the Middle East who are using technology to drive social change and improve lives.
Angela Wamola, Head of Africa at GSMA, noted:
“Every year, MWC Kigali grows as a platform for progress—not only for Africa but for the global digital economy. This year, we move beyond counting connections to focusing on delivering knowledge, innovation, and capacity that will empower Africa’s growth for generations to come.”
The conference will focus on four key themes shaping the future of Africa’s digital landscape:
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Connected Continent: How expanding connectivity, affordable smartphones, and the rollout of 5G are enabling millions across Africa to participate in the digital economy.
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The AI Future: Exploring how Artificial Intelligence could potentially double Africa’s GDP growth by 2035 through innovation, collaboration, and skills development.
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Fintech: Showcasing how mobile-powered financial technologies are transforming banking systems, promoting financial inclusion, and strengthening economic resilience.
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Africa’s Digital Frontier: Highlighting the rapid growth of Africa’s digital sectors from entertainment to healthcare and the innovations shaping the continent’s transformation.
MWC25 Kigali is widely anticipated to be a landmark event for Africa’s technology and telecommunications industry, reinforcing Rwanda’s leadership role as a continental hub for innovation and digital transformation.
