Top government officials, global tech leaders, and innovation strategists will gather on Friday, October 10, 2025, for a high-level virtual forum hosted by the Foreign Investment Network (FIN), setting the stage for the FIN Web Conference & AI Expo 2025 scheduled for November 16–18 at the Computer History Museum in Silicon Valley, Northern California.
The pre-event forum, designed to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, investment, sustainability, and Africa’s digital future, is expected to create new pathways for small businesses and startups across the continent. Organisers said the session will underscore Africa’s need to assert a stronger presence in global AI conversations, shape sustainable digital economies, and strengthen investment ties with Silicon Valley — a move that could significantly benefit MSMEs by expanding access to innovation, partnerships, and funding.
“This forum provides direct access to investors, policymakers, and innovators in Silicon Valley and encourages a showcase of Africa’s expertise in AI, fintech, cybersecurity, sustainability, and digital infrastructure,” organisers stated.
Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency, and the Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science & Technology will headline the event, joining a lineup of global tech leaders and investors. Speakers will include the former CEO of Google, the co-founder of Hotmail, a global AI strategist, and the Chairman of the International Data Center Authority. The session will be moderated by the co-founder of SwissCognitive, who will lead conversations on AI adoption, emerging technologies, and investment opportunities shaping Africa’s digital economy.
The event will open with remarks under the theme “Championing Africa–Silicon Valley Investment Bridges and the Digital Economy”, followed by a keynote address on “Sovereign AI for Inclusive Growth: A Practical 12-Month Roadmap for Africa’s Digital Economy.” Another major presentation will examine “Building AI-Ready Data Centers: Standards, Sustainability, and Sovereign Digital Infrastructure.”
Global experts in AI transformation, digital infrastructure, enterprise innovation, and fintech will contribute to the dialogue, while policymakers from Tunisia, Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana, and Algeria are also expected to participate.
For Africa’s MSMEs, the forum signals more than just high-level discussions. It represents an entry point into the global digital economy, where small businesses can leverage AI tools, data-driven strategies, and international collaborations to scale their operations and compete globally. It also opens opportunities for startups to attract investment and build solutions tailored to Africa’s unique challenges in finance, agriculture, logistics, and sustainability.
The FIN Web Conference & AI Expo 2025 is positioned as a premier global platform for shaping the future of digital economies through AI and innovation. Its outcomes could accelerate digital transformation for African MSMEs, unlocking inclusive growth and positioning small enterprises at the heart of the continent’s economic future.
