Kampala, 20th February 2025 Uganda will host the inaugural Middle East and Africa Digital Transformation Summit (MEA-DTS) from June 25th to 27th, 2025, at the Kampala Serena Hotel. This milestone announcement was made by the Honorable Dr. Chris Baryomunsi (PhD), Uganda’s Minister of ICT and National Guidance, during an official press launch held at the Uganda Media Centre.
According to Dr. Baryomunsi, the summit will be hosted under the theme:
“Driving Digital Transformation for a Connected and Inclusive MEA Region,”
with H.E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni serving as Chief Host.
The MEA-DTS is consistent with Uganda Vision 2040, which recognizes ICTs as pivotal to transforming Uganda from a predominantly agricultural community to a modern and prosperous country. Furthermore, the summit supports the EAC Vision 2050 by leveraging ICTs for value addition in critical sectors, such as agriculture, tourism, minerals, oil and gas, and knowledge, to create more jobs and boost livelihoods,” Dr. Baryomunsi stated.
He added:
“The summit will champion digital technologies that facilitate enhanced economic transformation and regional competitiveness. It will enrich Africa and the Middle East’s contribution to the SDGs, including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and **SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).”
A Landmark Regional Collaboration
The 2025 Middle East and Africa Digital Transformation Summit is a first-of-its-kind gathering, co-organized by the Ministry of ICT & National Guidance, the COMESA Business Council (CBC), and HiPipo, a leading African force in ICT and financial inclusion.
HiPipo, recently named the Most Innovative Financial Inclusion Organization in the Middle East and Africa 2024, is spearheaded by Innocent Kawooya, who was also recognised as the FinTech CEO of the Year 2024 across the region.
Speaking at the launch, Kawooya emphasised the summit’s strategic alignment with Uganda’s Vision 2040, the Government ICT Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Africa Agenda 2063.
“HiPipo has been at the forefront of digital transformation for the past twenty years, with leading initiatives such as 40 Days 40 FinTechs, the Women in FinTech Initiative, the HiPipo Music Awards, the Digital and Financial Inclusion Summit, and the Digital Impact Awards Africa,” Kawooya said.
“These efforts have meaningfully impacted the lives of countless low-income Africans in the ICT and creative sectors. For example, HiPipo has empowered AgriTech innovators, impacting over 600,000 smallholder farmers by helping them access land, connect with genuine input suppliers, reach better markets, and eliminate exploitative middlemen.”
He added:
We are therefore pleased to bring this Summit to Uganda and look forward to meaningful deliberations on key aspects such as digital innovation, financial services, policy and regulation, sustainability, and impact.
COMESA’s Vision for Cross-Border Digital Trade
Dr. Jonathan Pinifolo, Chief Operating Officer at the COMESA Business Council, highlighted the summit as a platform to bridge public and private sector interests in driving regional trade through digital transformation.
“COMESA is the biggest trading block in Africa and we believe that it is important to connect with the rest of Africa and the Middle East by leveraging digital tools, policies, and innovations for trade,” he said.
“We envisage greater opportunities to deepen e-government services, investment, manufacturing, commercial agriculture, services, e-commerce, employment, oil and gas, energy, wealth creation, and modernization—with enhanced opportunities for our people across Africa.”
A Continental-Scale Digital Movement
The MEA Summit 2025 will host participants from over 60 countries, including policymakers, ICT leaders, investors, researchers, and youth innovators. It will serve as a platform to showcase emerging technologies, advance digital solutions, drive economic growth, and improve access to public services.
A standout feature will be the Youth Arm, engaging over 70 universities from across Africa and the Middle East. It will include innovation challenges, student-led panels, and youth-focused networking forums.
Stay tuned to www.measummit.com for more updates on registration, speaker announcements, and how to participate.
