DRC in Italy's AI Plan for Africa

As part of a broader commitment to collaborative tech development, Italy officially launched its Artificial Intelligence Center as a catalyst for digital growth on the continent.

The Republic of Congo is among the key countries spotlighted in Italy’s strategic push to accelerate digital innovation across Africa. The launch event brought together public and private sector leaders, digital experts, and decision-makers from across Africa and Europe.

Congo's Role

Congo’s Minister of the Digital Economy, Léon Juste Ibombo, attended as a guest of honor, underlining the country’s growing role in shaping Africa’s digital future. He said artificial intelligence is only relevant if it is decentralized, accessible, and based on development priorities, emphasizing AI’s potential to become an accelerator of justice, dignity, and prosperity.

Congo’s participation is part of its selection as one of 14 pilot countries in Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa. Minister Ibombo expressed pride in Congo’s inclusion, calling it a testament to the confidence placed in the country and its digital ambitions. He highlighted the existing groundwork already laid through partnerships like the UNDP-supported national AI strategy and support for youth-led digital innovation, signalling that Congo is ready to translate this collaboration into tangible outcomes.

Italy’s AI Center Goals

Italy’s newly launched AI Center has set ambitious goals to energize Africa’s tech landscape, including:
– Support for 500 African startups, offering access to vital data and digital infrastructure.
– 30 to 50 strategic partnerships with private sector players to enable cross-border collaboration, tech transfer, and knowledge exchange.
– Significant investment in scalable AI projects, focused on long-term, inclusive innovation.

The initiative aims to establish a vibrant AI ecosystem in Africa that fosters homegrown solutions, encourages co-creation, and builds integrated value chains rooted in local contexts.

Italy’s AI initiative marks a deliberate shift away from traditional aid models toward partnership-based development, aligning closely with the African Union’s digital transformation blueprint. It also sends a strong signal about Europe’s growing interest in Africa’s digital potential as a full partner in global innovation.

For Congo, this collaboration forms part of a broader national vision to diversify the economy, empower youth, and position the country as a digital leader on the continent. This early momentum reflects a promising step forward in forging deeper, tech-driven ties between Africa and Europe.