Next week, A4AI travels to Kigali, Rwanda for Transform Africa 2015: Accelerating Digital Innovation (October 19-21). Organised by the Government of Rwanda, A4AI, and other partner organisations, the event will bring together political, business, and civil society leaders to shape Africa’s digital transformation agenda. A4AI will be leading two plenary sessions at the conference.

On October 19, A4AI Deputy Director Kojo Boakye will moderate a session looking at innovative approaches to making “Internet for All” a reality in Africa. The plenary will feature a lightning presentation by Kenya’s BRCK, whose devices are transforming connectivity in Africa by bringing reliable, secure, and battery-powered mobile and WiFi connections to remote communities. This presentation will be complemented by an interactive panel discussion to explore how the public and private sectors can collaborate to expand access.

The following day, A4AI Executive Director Sonia Jorge will moderate a panel discussion on “Digital Inclusion for Women’s Empowerment”. This session will feature a presentation by Ingrid Brudvig on findings from the Web Foundation’s soon-to-be-released “Women’s Rights Online” research. The research presentation will be followed by a discussion between high-level representatives from the African Development Bank and UN Women, among others, to look at how closing the digital gender gap can empower Africa’s transformation.

Also on Wednesday, October 20, Africa Regional Coordinator Nnenna Nwakanma will speak on a panel entitled “New Black Gold – Harnessing Africa’s Data Revolution“, which will explore how open data can improve governance,  transparency and innovation. Panelists will help to define priorities and targets for Africa to leverage the power of open data to promote economic growth and to meet the needs of its nations and communities.

Learn more about the event and check out the full agenda at transformafrica2015.org. We hope to see many of you there, but if you’re not able to be there in person, be sure to join the conversation online! We’ll be sharing content and updates from across the conference on our Twitter account @a4a_internet.

Photo credit: Scenic view from Kigali City Tower (Gwendolyn Stansbury/IFPRI)