Tech Experts Predict 2025

Africa’s tech experts gathered on Thursday at The Year Ahead Forum, an annual event by dx5, to explore the cutting-edge innovations set to define 2025.

Through thought-provoking discussions and expert panels on AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity and data analytics, the forum delved into key investment trends, real-world applications, and the evolving role of technology in driving efficiency, innovation, and economic growth.

In his opening remarks, Andrew Karanja, Director at dx5, emphasised the importance of assessing how new technologies are transforming organizations.

“The Year Ahead provides a platform for evaluating the impact of new technologies. There is a lot of discussion around AI, but how is it affecting our organizations? New technologies are emerging, but how are they making a difference?”

Concerns of African countries being net consumers of technology was highlighted by Stanley Kamanguya, CEO of the ICT Authority of Kenya who urged the tech community to take an active role in developing AI-driven solutions.

“These discussions come at a critical time when the government is under pressure to deliver efficient services to Kenyans. Unlike previous tech innovations, we now have an opportunity to develop AI solutions tailored to solve our country’s unique challenges,” he said.

Geoffrey Gitagia, CIO of Avenue Healthcare Limited, predicted that AI adoption would accelerate in 2023, with AI-powered assistants becoming an integral part of work processes.

“We are going to see a rise in personalized AI and AI agents. AI will not replace us in our jobs. it will be a copilot, an enabler, and a helper,” he explained.

However, the panellists also warned about the risk of overreliance on AI. Gitagia noted, “We are reaching a point where an employee writes an email to their manager using AI, and the manager responds using AI. This kind of overdependence on AI raises concerns.”

The forum also explored how businesses can enhance flexibility, reduce costs, and improve disaster recovery by adopting hybrid and multi-cloud solutions.

Timothy Munyao, an IT Solutions Consultant, advised organizations to adopt a multi-cloud strategy that allows for greater flexibility in switching services based on cost, performance, or compliance requirements. “Different cloud providers offer specialised services at varying price points. A multi-cloud approach enables organizations to choose the best provider for specific workloads, ensuring better performance at lower costs.”

David Kabundu, Managing Director of Eastra Solutions, highlighted the increasing adoption of Cloud in a Box solution, which provide businesses with a private, on-premise cloud environment while maintaining the scalability and flexibility of public cloud services.

In her presentation, “Was It Data or Intuition? ROI Decision-Making,” Becky Abraham, VP of Technology and Analytics at Pathways Technologies, emphasized that the world has shifted away from relying on intuition or gut feelings in decision-making. She highlighted that individuals and businesses are increasingly depending on data to guide their daily activities. Abraham noted that this trend will continue to grow, driven by advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML).

“Historically, business decisions were made based on intuition, experience, and trust. Now, disruptive technologies AI and ML are transforming how decisions are made. Leaders who integrate data insights with seasoned judgment can drive superior ROI and strengthen market positioning,” she said.

As businesses navigate the rapidly evolving tech landscape, AI, cloud computing, and data analytics will continue shaping the future, redefining industries, and transforming how organizations operate. The Year Ahead forum provided a platform for industry leaders to discuss emerging technologies that will shape the new year, offering insights into the innovations that will drive digital transformation.