By Chinenye Anuforo
Digital Equity Africa has announced plans to host the first AI Summit for Children in Africa, a pioneering technology event exclusively designed to address the immersion of Nigerian children into an AI-driven world.
This landmark event is scheduled to take place at the Landmark Event Centre, Lagos, on June 14, 2025. The summit will introduce and reinforce children aged 6–16 to the world of artificial intelligence through specially curated sessions, hands-on activities, immersive learning experiences, and interactive exhibitions.
Parents and the broader education ecosystem will also have dedicated speakers and workshops tailored for them. These sessions will address crucial topics such as parenting in an AI world, cyber safety, valuable learning resources, career guidance, and IT curriculum development for schools.
The upcoming gathering is poised to mark Africa’s first child-centered global AI conference, aiming to provide children with the opportunity not just to consume technology, but to actively create with it. Looking ahead, Abuja, Kano, and Enugu are slated to host future conferences in the 2025 series, with the next location to be announced at the Lagos summit.
The initiative extends beyond the Lagos event. Digital Equity Africa plans to launch an AI Learning Community that targets 100,000 Nigerian children in its first year. This “beyond Lagos” approach will foster greater regional balance in the AI movement for Nigerian children. This community will provide children with ongoing mentorship, access to digital learning tools, monthly challenges, and opportunities to engage with a global network of AI educators, ensuring momentum continues long after the inaugural summit.
A key highlight at the conference will be the launch of a new book, “Zina and the Thinking Machines.” This children’s storybook is designed to introduce kids to the concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in a fun, engaging, and relatable way. The story will follow Zina, a curious Nigerian girl, as she explores the world of technology with the help of her quirky inventor grandpa and a mysterious “thinking machine.”
The book aims to simplify AI concepts for children aged 6-12 through storytelling, promote digital curiosity and confidence among young African readers, and celebrate African identity and innovation, demonstrating that tech is not just for kids in Silicon Valley, but for African children too. The distribution plan is set to cover the entire global south, aspiring to reach every child who can read.
This year’s theme reflects a shared belief: early exposure to future technologies will build confident, creative problem-solvers. Digital Equity Africa is committed to empowering the next generation of Africans to co-create the future.
“This will be more than just a conference; it is envisioned as a national movement,” said Justina Nnam Oha, Convener of Kids Tech Fest: A Global AI Summit for Children. “We are setting the stage for African children to not only understand emerging technologies like AI but to also take ownership of them. From Lagos to Kano, we are committed to democratizing access to tech education for all.”
Kids Tech Fest is an impactful initiative calling on corporate sponsors, development agencies, and tech visionaries to partner in shaping Africa’s future. “Join us in our mission to reach over 100,000 children across Nigeria. Sponsors are to enjoy visibility across media and school networks, direct engagement with families and tech communities”, stated Oha.