Mali: Pan-African conference on the impact of digital technology and AI, an unprecedented event for African technology companies

On Tuesday 22 April 2025, Bamako hosted the opening of the 2nd International Congress of the CAMES Thematic Research Programme ‘Languages, Societies, Cultures and Civilisations’ (PTR-LSCC). This major scientific event, which runs until 25 April at the Université Yambo Ouologuem in Kabala, brings together 86 experts from 14 African countries.

Under the theme “African Societies and Cultures in the Digital Age and Artificial Intelligence”, the conference was opened by the Prime Minister of Mali, General Abdoulaye Maïga, in the presence of the Minister of Higher Education, Professor Bouréma Kansaye.

In his speech, the head of government stressed the strategic importance of digital technologies for the continent’s development.

“Digital technology is now a major lever for transforming our educational, economic and cultural systems”, said the Prime Minister, while warning against the risks of a technological divide.

He highlighted four priorities for Africa: training for young people, financial accessibility, technological sovereignty and the inclusion of vulnerable populations.

Mali is demonstrating its commitment to this approach with the recent creation of its Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.

“We must make these technologies our own by adapting them to our cultural and socio-economic realities”, added the Prime Minister.

Aimée-Danielle Lezou Koffi, coordinator of the PTR-LSCC, called on researchers to adopt a critical and interdisciplinary approach.

“Africa must approach the digital revolution with lucidity, so as to make the most of it while preserving its cultural specificities”, she explained.

On the agenda: scientific papers on digital governance, the place of local languages in the digital world, the preservation of cultural heritage through digital technology, and reflections on educational models adapted to the African context.

This scientific conclave is part of CAMES’ drive to strengthen the continent’s academic integration and position Africa as a fully-fledged player in the global technological revolution.

Emile YEMPABE