A new summit focused on unlocking Africa’s AI potential is set to take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. AI Empowered, inspired by EO Cape Town, will bring together entrepreneurs, technologists, creatives, and policymakers to explore how AI can drive inclusive economic growth across the continent.

Backed by Invest Cape Town, the City of Cape Town, and the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), the two-day event aims to provide founders and business leaders with practical tools to deploy AI in local contexts—from fraud prevention to youth upskilling.

“AI is one of the most powerful tools we have to solve pressing societal and business challenges,” said Alderman James Vos, the city’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth.

According to PwC, AI could add R129 billion to South Africa’s economy by 2030, with startups and SMEs poised to benefit. The summit will highlight use cases across key sectors like healthcare, education, agriculture, logistics, and financial services.

Key Speakers Include:

Kabelo Makwane, Country Director, Google – AI Strategy for African Business Leaders
Valter Adão, Cadena Growth Partners – Panel: Workforce 2.0 – AI, Automation & Inclusive Growth
Steven Sidley, JBS, University of Johannesburg – We’re All Gonna Die: Utopian vs Dystopian AI Futures
Folarin Aiyegbusi, Google Africa – The Role of AI in Growing Small Businesses
Beverley Schäfer, SAAIA Advisory Board – Regulating Innovation: Governance vs Growth
Roshan Jelal (FNB) and Rahul Jain (Peach Payments) – Panel: AI & Fraud in the Age of Automation

The agenda spans two main tracks:

EO Insights Hub – Masterclasses, training, and panel discussions
Main Auditorium – High-impact keynotes, debates, and case studies

With over 40 speakers and a strong focus on women in AI, AI Empowered is also supported by FNB Women in Business, emphasizing the role of female-led SMEs in driving economic growth.