A unified call for stronger research collaboration, innovation and the responsible adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to accelerate Africa’s development agenda emerged as the key message at the 17th Annual International Interdisciplinary Conference being hosted by Multimedia University of Kenya (MMU).
Under the theme, “The Past, Present and Future of Development in Africa,” every speaker who took to the podium emphasized that Africa’s future development largely depends on the continent’s ability to harness research, innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration and responsible AI to address emerging socio-economic challenges.
They observed that while technology presents unprecedented opportunities for growth and transformation, sustainable development has to be driven by people, partnerships and knowledge that responds to Africa’s unique realities.
MMU Vice Chancellor Prof. Rosebella Maranga, in a speech read on her behalf by Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Research and Innovation, Prof. Livingstone Ngoo, said that Africa’s sustainable development depends on stronger collaboration among universities, governments, industry and communities.
Prof. Maranga said that institutions of higher learning should continue serving as engines of societal transformation through quality research, innovation and knowledge generation capable of informing policy and improving livelihoods.
She identified youth empowerment and employment, leadership and governance, and science, technology and innovation as strategic priorities requiring sustained scholarly attention to unlock the continent’s development potential.
The VC also reaffirmed MMU’s commitment to advancing research excellence, fostering innovation and strengthening partnerships that contribute to national, regional and global development.
Prof. Maurice Amutabi, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Technical University of Kenya, who is also the conference’s Co-convener, called on African universities to embrace digital transformation by equipping students with future-ready skills while integrating AI into teaching, research and innovation.
He encouraged students, researchers and professionals to leverage AI to improve productivity and accelerate knowledge creation, while cautioning that technological advancement should never replace human judgment.
“While AI presents enormous opportunities across various disciplines, users must exercise caution and ensure that the human touch remains central in decision-making and knowledge creation,” Prof. Amutabi said.
Dr. Satyendra Singh, from International Business at the University of Winnipeg, Canada, said AI is transforming business development by enabling organizations, particularly small businesses, to generate market intelligence, better understand customer needs and respond more effectively to changing market dynamics.
Dr. Singh observed that AI-powered technologies are reducing information asymmetry, improving customer and competitor insights and creating opportunities for businesses to innovate and remain competitive at relatively low operational costs.
Prof. Abel Mayaka, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at Multimedia University of Kenya and Co-convener of the conference, thanked delegates for their participation and continued support over the years, noting that the conference has grown into a premier platform for scholarly exchange, fostering research collaborations and generating insights that contribute to Africa’s development.