With many new frontiers of development opportunities emerging on the African continent in the recent past, inspired by Artificial Intelligence and other ideas, academicians, researchers, and development practitioners at this year’s 16th International and Interdisciplinary Conference, noted that there is need for all sectors on the continent to be revived to create new impetus for Africa’s development stimulus.
The contention during the conference that was held on June 25 – 27, 2025, at MMU, was that countries that have developed have not done so based on external aid but internal innovation. Therefore, a unanimous agreement among the researchers was that Africa needs to break its dependence on donor support and aid to create new opportunities for the continent.
In his remarks, MMU Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs, Research and Innovation Prof. Livingstone Ngoo, said that the spirit of Africa Agenda 2063 talks about a prosperous continent based on sustainable development that is supported by technology, food security, renewable energy and good governance.
Prof. Ngoo regretted that almost 30% of harvested grains are lost due to poor storage in Kenya, a problem he said can easily be solved through a multidisciplinary research.
Prof. Satyendra Singh, from the University of Winnipeg, Canada, in his keynote address, highlighted the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in driving development across the world, noting that Africa can leverage AI to enhance operational efficiency, innovation, and competitiveness in businesses and institutions.
On his part, MMU Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology Prof. Abel Mayaka noted that while indigenous innovations and youth-driven entrepreneurship are great potentials for industrial development on the continent, there is an urgent need for a united Africa if the continent is to fully harness the potential and opportunities.
“We need to engage across disciplines, create research that speaks to the realities of our people and the aspirations of our communities,” said Prof. Mayaka.
“Let’s all remind ourselves that African development must not be shaped for us but by us. The solutions we seek must emerge from our research, our own data, and our communities, he added.
Prof. Mayaka said the collective success of the continent depends on strong cooperation among academia, the private sector, governments, and international partners, adding that investing in research, science, technology, and engineering is not optional but a must take initiative.
“We are already talking about Vision 2063 for Africa, and therefore, we should support it through these initiatives. This conference is more than an exchange of ideas; it is a platform to reimagine what development can look like when driven by African priorities, African knowledge systems, and African leadership,” said Prof. Mayaka.
Themed “New Frontiers of Development Opportunities,” the conference was sponsored by Multimedia University of Kenya, Kenya Scholars and Studies Association (KESSA), Centre for Democracy, Research and Development (CEDRED), African Interdisciplinary Studies Association (AISA) and took place on June 25 – 27, 2025 at MMU Conference Hall.
By Nicanor Ndiege and Faith Nashipai