Nairobi | July 2025
In a landmark dialogue that underscores Africa’s ambition to become a global leader in the digital age, Dr. Gloria Kamira Lukalu, Executive Director of Exutory Foundation Limited, met with renowned Pan-Africanist Prof. PLO Lumumba in Nairobi to chart a transformative course for East African youth. Their discussion, centered on digital transformation and the African Union’s Agenda 2050, signals a bold commitment to empowering the continent’s youth to lead in innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.
A Vision for Digital Inclusion
The meeting, held in July 2025, brought together two influential voices to address a pressing challenge: how to position Africa’s youth—its largest demographic asset—as drivers of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Dr. Lukalu, a prominent advocate for digital inclusion, emphasized the urgent need to equip young Africans with the skills required to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy.
“Africa cannot afford to be a bystander in the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” Dr. Lukalu declared. “We must prepare our youth not only to adapt but to lead in digital innovation, fintech, and global enterprise. This is not just about access to technology but about creating ecosystems where young Africans can innovate, compete, and create wealth.”
Dr. Lukalu’s Exutory Foundation Limited is at the forefront of this mission, working to bridge the digital divide in East Africa through targeted initiatives. These include digital literacy programs, innovation hubs, and partnerships with universities and tech companies to foster a new generation of “technopreneurs”—entrepreneurs who leverage technology to solve local and global challenges.
Harnessing Africa’s Demographic Dividend
Prof. PLO Lumumba, celebrated for his impassioned advocacy for African self-reliance and intellectual sovereignty, echoed Dr. Lukalu’s call for action. He highlighted the potential of Africa’s youthful population—over 60% of the continent is under 25—as a catalyst for global influence, provided there is deliberate investment in digital infrastructure, education, and innovation ecosystems.
“If Africa is to rise, it must be deliberate,” Prof. Lumumba asserted. “Our youth must not be job seekers; they must be job creators. Digital literacy, data science, AI, blockchain—these must become our new languages of empowerment.”
Lumumba stressed the importance of aligning national policies with continental frameworks like Agenda 2050, the African Union’s ambitious blueprint for inclusive growth, innovation, and a unified African market. He urged governments, private sectors, and civil society to collaborate in creating enabling environments where young Africans can access quality education, affordable internet, and opportunities to innovate.
Exutory Foundation’s Roadmap
Dr. Lukalu presented Exutory Foundation’s comprehensive roadmap for scaling digital access, particularly in underserved rural communities and among women and girls. The foundation’s initiatives include:
- Digital Incubation Labs: Establishing innovation hubs where young entrepreneurs can develop and test tech-driven solutions.
- Skill-Building Programs: Offering training in coding, data science, artificial intelligence, and blockchain to prepare youth for high-demand careers.
- Partnerships for Scale: Collaborating with universities, tech giants, and regional governments to create sustainable ecosystems for innovation.
- Focus on Inclusion: Prioritizing women and rural youth to ensure equitable access to digital opportunities.
These efforts align directly with Agenda 2050’s goals of fostering inclusive growth, leveraging technology for development, and creating a digitally connected Africa. By empowering young Africans with both technical skills and a global perspective, Exutory Foundation aims to position the continent as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
A Unified Call to Action
The dialogue between Dr. Lukalu and Prof. Lumumba culminated in a shared commitment to mobilize resources—intellectual, financial, and technological—across borders. They emphasized the critical role of public-private partnerships, diaspora engagement, and continental solidarity in achieving these goals.
To amplify their vision, the two leaders announced plans for a regional Digital Economy and Youth Leadership Summit later in 2025. The summit will bring together policymakers, tech industry leaders, youth organizations, and academic institutions from across the East African Community to develop actionable strategies for digital transformation. Key focus areas will include:
- Expanding access to affordable internet and digital devices.
- Reforming education systems to prioritize STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and digital literacy.
- Creating funding mechanisms to support youth-led startups and innovation hubs.
- Strengthening regional collaboration to build a unified African digital market.
The Broader Context: Agenda 2050
The African Union’s Agenda 2050 envisions a prosperous, integrated, and peaceful Africa driven by its people and acting as a dynamic force in the global arena. Central to this vision is the empowerment of youth through education, skills development, and access to opportunities in emerging sectors like technology and fintech.
Dr. Lukalu and Prof. Lumumba underscored that the digital economy is a cornerstone of this vision. With Africa’s internet penetration still lagging at around 40% (compared to a global average of over 60%), closing the digital divide is both a challenge and an opportunity. Investments in infrastructure, such as 5G networks and satellite internet, alongside policies to reduce the cost of smartphones and data, are critical to unlocking the continent’s potential.
Exutory Foundation: Leading the Charge
Founded to address systemic barriers to opportunity in East Africa, Exutory Foundation Limited is a regional think tank and innovation hub dedicated to digital inclusion, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment. Through its multifaceted approach, the foundation is not only equipping young Africans with skills but also fostering a mindset of innovation and self-reliance.
Dr. Lukalu’s leadership has positioned Exutory as a key player in Africa’s digital transformation. By focusing on underserved communities, the foundation ensures that the benefits of the digital economy reach those who need them most, creating a ripple effect of opportunity and growth.
Looking Ahead
The engagement between Dr. Lukalu and Prof. Lumumba marks a pivotal moment in Africa’s journey toward digital self-sufficiency. Their shared vision of a youth-led, digitally empowered continent aligns with global trends, where technology is reshaping economies and societies at an unprecedented pace.
As Africa stands on the cusp of a digital revolution, the call to action is clear: governments, private sectors, and civil society must unite to invest in youth, infrastructure, and innovation. The upcoming Digital Economy and Youth Leadership Summit promises to be a critical step in translating this vision into reality, positioning East Africa—and the continent at large—as a global leader in the digital age.
About Exutory Foundation Limited
Exutory Foundation Ltd is a regional think tank and innovation hub focused on promoting digital inclusion, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment in East Africa. Through strategic partnerships and innovative programs, it is building a future where every young African has the tools to thrive in the digital economy.
