Catherine Muraga, the Managing Director of Microsoft’s Africa Development Centre (ADC), is set to headline the Africa Artificial Intelligence Summit (AAIS) 2025 with a keynote address in Kampala this week.
Muraga will speak on Thursday at Speke Resort Munyonyo, where the two-day summit is expected to draw technologists, policymakers, academics, and business leaders from across the continent and beyond.
The summit, now in its annual May slot, is organised by Jjengo Tech Ltd in partnership with CEED Uganda. It aims to spotlight African innovation in artificial intelligence and encourage homegrown solutions to local challenges.
In her keynote, titled “AI Integration: Moving Beyond Consumerism to Innovation,” Muraga is expected to urge African governments, industries, and developers to move from passive adoption of foreign-made AI tools to creating contextually relevant technologies that reflect local needs.
“I am passionate about using technology to create business outcomes, championing women in tech, and growing Africa’s digital talent,” said Muraga ahead of the event.
As head of Microsoft ADC, Muraga oversees one of the continent’s most influential tech engineering hubs. Since taking the role in June 2022, she has helped steer initiatives in digital skills development, research, and the design of Microsoft products for global use.
Under her leadership, ADC has trained over 7,000 students and scaled operations to employ more than 550 software engineers. The centre, which now generates over $51 million annually, plays a key role in Microsoft’s Africa strategy.
The AAIS organisers describe the summit as “a platform for sharing African perspectives, research, and strategies on AI,” with this year’s edition focusing on ethical governance, sector-specific innovation, and inclusivity in AI policy.
Uganda’s Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Dr Chris Baryomunsi, will open the summit on Thursday morning. The day will feature a series of panels and masterclasses on topics such as responsible AI, regulation, and health sector transformation.
Muraga will be joined by a wide range of speakers including:
- James Byaruhanga, Managing Director of Roke Cloud
- Ms Nwanne Vwede-Obahor, UNDP Resident Representative in Uganda
- Dr Rose Nakasi, Head of the Makerere AI Health Lab
The summit will also feature sessions on AI’s application in education, finance, and sustainable development.
Before joining Microsoft, Muraga held senior tech roles at Stanbic Bank Kenya and Sidian Bank, leading major digital transformation programmes. She has completed executive courses at MIT, Oxford and Columbia, and was recently named Best Female Leader in Digital/Tech at the 2024 CIO & C-Suite Awards.
