The Diaspora Blueprint: Mapping Government’s Role in Africa’s Tech Rise [Hosted by Tech Connect Africa]

Africa’s Tech Ascent: How Government and Diaspora Drive Innovation at Web Summit Lisbon 2025

Tech Connect Africa co-founder Jem (Jeminatulabisama) opened the session, detailing the organization’s efforts to connect African techies with the diaspora through continental events. Tech Connect Africa also brings African startups to global summits like Web Summit Lisbon 2025, Qatar, and Collision, a partnership now in its fourth year. A new chamber of commerce is being developed to support early-stage African founders with resources and community.

Keziah Larbi, Head of Startups and Digital Content at Tech Connect Africa, moderated the “Diaspora Dialogue” at Web Summit Lisbon 2025. The discussion focused on how government and policy are crucial for propelling African tech and innovation onto the global stage. The panel featured His Excellency Ambassador Check HAMODI, Stephenie Coker Rank, and Harriet Abiodun.

Stephenie Coker Rank, co-founder of SONA, emphasized the need for African data in AI training. SONA champions creative cultural sovereignty and IP protection, ensuring creators’ lifelong recognition. Their AI agents monitor for IP violations, with each creation secured by a unique digital certificate. Ms. Coker Rank stressed that African culture and creations are vital national assets requiring government and policy support to thrive. She also proposed key policies to boost diaspora investment, advocating for eliminating double taxation and ensuring visa reciprocity for entrepreneurs.

His Excellency Ambassador Check HAMODI of the Central African Republic shared his country’s progressive stance, including making Bitcoin official and establishing a special economic zone for tech innovators. He praised Qatar’s model of investing natural resource wealth into a knowledge-based economy, advocating for Africa to process raw materials, add value, and invest in robust tech infrastructure like internet. Ambassador HAMODI also stressed integrating AI into Africa’s education system from primary school and called for African governments to invest in and control their own data centers, ensuring data sovereignty.

Harriet Abiodun, Founder and PR Director of Creative Amplified, discussed the critical role of perception and storytelling for African brands. She urged a shift from “pigeonholing” African businesses, advocating for their global presentation as innovative entities. Ms. Abiodun emphasized that Africans must occupy more space on global platforms and that governments should empower and fund these narratives. She noted Web Summit Lisbon 2025’s strategy of diversifying its communication across various platforms to attract a broader audience and encourage consistent engagement.

Jose Mora, co-founder of SONA, an audience member, echoed Ambassador HAMODI’s call for a radical redesign of Africa’s education system, integrating AI from kindergarten. He warned against the perils of not embracing AI, stating it would condemn African youth to perpetual poverty. Mr. Mora highlighted SONA’s work with ethnographic institutes to safeguard African culture and data within local language models and data sets. The session concluded with a mention of a new 3000 square meter center in Qatar, designed to foster connections between GCC countries and Africa, aiming to change perceptions and facilitate business.