01
AI and public governance
E-government, digital identity and regional harmonisation.
How can AI modernise administrations and strengthen regional integration?
See the panel2–3 June 2027 · Dakar, Senegal
Rencontre des Décideurs – Dakar 2027: Artificial intelligence in the service of a more competitive Africa
Building together a more competitive, more integrated and more resilient West Africa in the age of AI.
DatesWednesday 2 and Thursday 3 June 2027
VenueCICAD, Diamniadio(proposed venue)
Countdown
2days of exchange
6thematic panels
300+decision-makers expected
B2Bbusiness meetings and stands
The event
At the heart of West Africa’s transformations
Two days of high-level exchange to speed up regional integration, mobilise talent, stimulate innovation and build concrete solutions to the challenges of economic and social transformation in West Africa.
A unique space for dialogue and partnerships between institutions, investors, companies and opinion leaders, for a West Africa that is more competitive, more integrated and more resilient thanks to artificial intelligence.
Highlights
Six thematic panels
Each panel starts from a concrete question and brings together public decision-makers, business leaders and experts.
Transformation Lab and AI partnerships
Use cases, sector round tables and cooperation workshops on Thursday afternoon.
B2B area and stands
Business meetings, demonstrations and networking, all day Thursday.
Gala dinner
Wednesday evening, by invitation: high-level meetings between institutions, investors and CEOs.
Debrief and commitments
A summary of recommendations and regional pilot projects, to move from words to action.
Why now
Figures announced or estimated by the sources cited.
FCFA 1,105 bn
announced by 2034 for Senegal’s technology New Deal: 150,000 direct jobs and more than 500 start-ups targeted.
$1,500 bn
of potential added value from AI for the African economy by 2030, if the continent captures 10% of the global market.
August 2026
presentation in Tokyo of the “Senegal AI Factory”, which aims to make the country an African AI hub.
Sources: OSIRIS (February 2025; August 2026); SAP (June 2025).
Six themes
Six questions to decide
Each panel is built around a concrete question, to move from analysis to decision.
02
AI, finance and competitiveness
Financial inclusion, fintech and business growth.
How can AI speed up business financing and financial inclusion?
See the panel03
AI, industry, energy and infrastructure
Industry 4.0, smart infrastructure and the energy transition.
How can AI transform value chains and strengthen regional competitiveness?
See the panel04
AI, HR, skills and leadership
New jobs, leadership and organisational transformation.
How is AI reinventing work, jobs and organisations?
See the panel05
AI sovereignty, data and cybersecurity
Digital sovereignty, data protection and trust.
How can we build trusted, sovereign AI adapted to African realities?
See the panel06
AI, smart agriculture and food security
Precision agriculture, agricultural value chains and food security.
How can AI help feed West Africa sustainably?
See the panelProvisional programme
Two days, from analysis to action
Provisional programme, subject to change. Speakers will be announced once each has confirmed in writing.
Day 1 · Wednesday 2 June
Vision, sovereignty and competitiveness in the age of AI
- 08:00– 09:00
Registration and welcome
Welcome coffee and badge collection
- 09:00– 09:30
Opening ceremony
- Opening address: a strategic vision for West Africa in the age of AI
- 09:30– 10:00
Institutional addresses
- Regional cooperation
- Regulatory framework
- Financing the transformation
- 10:00– 10:30
Opening keynote
- 10:30– 11:00
Coffee break and networking
Exchanges between participants
- 11:30– 12:45Panel 1 · Theme 01 · Public governance
A digital one-stop shop for the whole region: can AI break down administrative borders?
- E-government and public services
- Digital identity and inclusion
- Regional harmonisation
- 12:45– 14:00
Networking lunch
Meetings and exchanges between decision-makers
- 14:00– 15:15Panel 2 · Theme 02 · Finance and competitiveness
Financing the invisible: can AI open credit to SMEs?
- Financial inclusion
- Fintech and digital services
- Business growth
- 15:15– 15:45
Coffee break and networking
Exchanges between participants
- 15:45– 17:00Panel 3 · Theme 03 · Industry, energy, infrastructure
Ports, factories, networks: AI as a weapon for industrial competitiveness
- Industry 4.0 and automation
- Smart infrastructure
- Energy transition
- 17:00– 17:30
Day 1 wrap-up
- Key messages and outlook for day 2
- 19:30– 22:00Evening · by invitation
Gala dinner
High-level meetings between institutions, investors and CEOs.
Day 2 · Thursday 3 June
Talent, technology and opportunity
- 08:30– 09:00
Welcome coffee
Final registrations and networking
- 09:00– 10:15Panel 4 · Theme 04 · HR, skills, leadership
From HR director to leader: which jobs and which organisations in 2030?
- New jobs and tomorrow’s skills
- Leadership and performance
- Organisational transformation
- 10:15– 10:45
Coffee break and networking
Exchanges between participants
- 10:45– 12:00Panel 5 · Theme 05 · Sovereignty, data, cybersecurity
Who owns Africa’s data?
- Digital sovereignty
- Data protection
- Cybersecurity and trust
- 12:00– 13:15Panel 6 · Theme 06 · Agriculture and food security
From field to market: can AI feed West Africa?
- Precision agriculture
- Agricultural value chains
- Food security
- 13:15– 14:30
Networking lunch
Meetings and exchanges between decision-makers
- 14:30– 16:00
Transformation Lab and AI partnerships
- Presentation of innovative projects and solutions (use cases)
- Sector round tables: institutions, companies, technologies
- Cooperation workshops and partnership opportunities
- Demonstration area and B2B meetings
- 16:00– 16:30
Coffee break and networking
B2B meetings and open exchanges
- 16:30– 17:30
Debrief and commitments
- Panel summaries by the rapporteurs
- Identifying recommendations and regional pilot projects
- Announcing the next steps
- 17:30– 18:00
Closing ceremony
- Key messages, commitments and outlook
- All day
B2B area and partner stands
Business meetings, demonstrations and networking.
Attendees
An audience of decision-makers
More than 300 public officials, business leaders, investors and experts are expected in Dakar.
Public institutions and regional bodies
Steer policies, regulation and regional integration.
Investors and donors
Finance digital transformation and AI projects.
Company leaders and CEOs
Decide on investments and AI strategies.
HR directors and people leaders
Prepare tomorrow’s skills and organisations.
CIOs and technology experts
Design, deploy and secure AI solutions.
Strategic partners and civil society
Keep the ecosystem alive: innovation, training, trust.
Announcements to come
Speakers
Speakers will be announced gradually, once each has confirmed in writing. The first announcements are planned from March 2027.
Partners
Associate your organisation with a landmark gathering
Five packages, from associating your organisation’s name with the event to a dedicated initiative, to meet more than 300 public, private and institutional decision-makers.
Why become a partner
- 1Associate your brand with a landmark event in West Africa
- 2Meet more than 300 public, private and institutional decision-makers
- 3Position your company as a committed player in the AI transformation
- 4Develop business opportunities and regional partnerships
- 5Contribute to an ecosystem of innovation and concrete solutions
Multichannel visibility
- Logo across all communication
- Presence on the official website and social media
- Media partnerships and press relations
- On-site visibility: stands, screens, signage
- Sector round tables and thematic workshops
- Mention in the press kit
- Interviews and video content
Five partnership packages
Major strategic partner
“Presented by”
- Keynote or panel speaking slot*
- Premium stand
- Main logo on all materials
- 30 VIP invitations
- Dedicated communication campaign
- Signature award
Premium partner
Official partner
- Panel speaking slot*
- Large stand
- Major logo on materials
- 20 VIP invitations
- Dedicated publication
- Special initiative
Official partner
Partner
- Standard stand
- Logo on the main materials
- 10 VIP invitations
- Access to B2B meetings
- Group mention
Associate partner
Logo
- Exhibition table
- Logo on the website and programme
- 6 VIP invitations
- Access to B2B meetings
SME innovation
Logo
- Logo on the website
- 4 VIP invitations
- Access to B2B meetings on request
* Subject to approval by the organiser. Tailor-made packages possible; terms provided on request.
Receive the partnership brochure
The full brochure, with terms, is sent on request by the partnerships team.
They are joining us
Pre-registrationRegistration
Pre-register nowRegister for the meeting
Be among the first to hear about the opening of registration, the publication of the programme and the announcement of confirmed speakers.Complete the form: the organising team confirms your registration and sends you the terms of participation.
Pre-registration is not a final registration and does not commit you to any payment. Terms of participation will be communicated when registration opens, from .The terms of participation are sent to you once your request is received.
How it works
Fill in the form
A few details are enough: your organisation, your role and your areas of interest.
The team replies
You receive the next steps and, when registration opens, the terms of participation.
See you in Dakar
On 2 and 3 June 2027, in Diamniadio.
Key dates
- From nowPre-registration and first updates
- From Registration opens and the first speakers are announced
- 2–3 June 2027The Rencontre des Décideurs, in Dakar
- Since Registration open and confirmed speakers announced
- Until the eventProgramme and practical information updated on this site
- 2–3 June 2027The Rencontre des Décideurs, in Dakar
Pre-registration formRegistration form
Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.
Venue and access
The CICAD, in the heart of the Diamniadio urban hub
Proposed venue · confirmation to comeA centre designed for major international events: a main hall for plenary sessions, an exhibition centre for partner stands, eight simultaneous interpretation booths and six VIP lounges to welcome officials.
- 14,700 m²covered
- ≈ 1,500seats in the main hall*
- 6100 m² VIP lounges
- 8interpretation booths
- 200parking spaces
* Announced capacity, to be confirmed with the centre. The final choice of venue will be confirmed on this site.
Getting there
By road
Exit 11 of the motorway, in the Diamniadio urban hub.
By TER
The TER links Dakar, Diamniadio and AIBD airport.
On site
200 parking spaces; VIP (210 covers) and public (260 covers) restaurants.
Press and media
Cover the meeting
Journalists, content creators and media partners: request your accreditation. The press kit (logos, visuals, press release) is available on request.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions, our answers
What is the Rencontre des Décideurs – Dakar 2027?
A two-day gathering of public decision-makers, business leaders, investors and experts to answer one question: how can AI make West Africa more competitive, more integrated and more resilient? The programme includes six panels, a transformation lab, a B2B area and a debrief.
When and where does it take place?
On Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 June 2027, in Diamniadio, near Dakar. The Abdou Diouf International Conference Centre (CICAD) is the proposed venue; its confirmation will be announced on this site.
Who can attend?
The event is aimed at public institutions and regional bodies, investors and donors, company leaders and CEOs, HR directors, CIOs and technology experts, as well as strategic partners and civil society.
How do I register?
Registration opens from . Until then, you can pre-register with the form on this site: you will be informed first. Pre-registration does not commit you to any payment.
Registration is open: complete the form on this site. The organising team confirms your registration and sends you the terms of participation.
What are the terms of participation?
The terms of participation, including any fees, will be communicated when registration opens and published on this site.
Who are the speakers?
Speakers will be announced gradually, once each has confirmed in writing. The first announcements are planned from March 2027.
How do I become a partner or exhibitor?
Five partnership packages are offered, with an exhibition stand depending on the package. Write to the partnerships team: the full brochure is sent on request.
How do I get press accreditation?
Write to the press address shown in the Contact section, stating your outlet and your role. The press kit is available on request.
Who organises the event?
The Rencontre des Décideurs – Dakar 2027 is organised by BeON MaBa SARL, a company based in Dakar (Mermoz VDN).
Legal notice
- Publisher
- This website is published by BeON MaBa SARL, a limited liability company under Senegalese law, NINEA 011986273, registered office at Mermoz VDN, Dakar, Senegal. Phone: +221 77 728 72 96. E-mail: contact@rd-dakar2027.org.
- Publication director
- Pape Makhtar GUEYE, co-manager of BeON MaBa SARL.
- Hosting
- Intellectual property
- The texts, visuals, logos and graphic elements of this website are protected. Any reproduction or reuse without the prior written consent of BeON MaBa SARL is prohibited, except for press use in covering the event. Partner brands and logos remain the property of their owners.
- Content and liability
- The information published (programme, speakers, venue, calendar dates) is indicative and may change. Speakers and partners are only named once they have confirmed in writing. The venue is shown as “proposed” until it is confirmed.
Privacy policy
- Data controller
- BeON MaBa SARL, Mermoz VDN, Dakar, Senegal, is the controller of the data collected on this website. Contact: contact@rd-dakar2027.org.
- Data collected
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- Purposes
- To process your pre-registration or registration; to inform you about the opening of registration, the programme and confirmed speakers; to answer your requests (partnership, press, information); to organise the event.
- Legal basis
- Your consent, given by ticking the box in the form, and steps taken before your participation. Processing is carried out in accordance with Senegalese law on personal data protection (Law No. 2008-12 of 25 January 2008), or any law that replaces it.
- Recipients
- The data is intended for the BeON MaBa SARL organising team and for strictly necessary technical providers (e-mail, form, hosting). It is neither sold nor transferred. It is only shared with an event partner with your explicit consent. Some technical providers may be based outside Senegal.
- Retention
- Data is kept for as long as needed to organise the event and, at the latest, 24 months after it takes place, unless the law requires otherwise.
- Your rights
- You may request access, rectification, objection or deletion of your data, and withdraw your consent, by writing to contact@rd-dakar2027.org. You may also contact Senegal’s data protection authority (Commission de Protection des Données Personnelles, CDP).
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Last updated: October 2026.