KEY POINTS:
- The Nexten Summit 2025 will take place from December 3-5, 2025, at the King Fahd Palace in Dakar according to the Nexten Summit website
- The summit aims to attract more than 5,000 participants from 40 countries as reported by APAnews
- Senegal’s government signed partnership agreements on October 3 to transform tech gatherings into “engines of employment, innovation, and investment” according to Ecofin Agency
Dakar is set to become the epicenter of Africa’s technological transformation when it hosts the Nexten Summit 2025, positioning itself as the founding city of a ten-year global initiative focused on artificial intelligence and blockchain development.
A Ten-Year Global Movement Begins
According to the Nexten Summit website, the event represents more than a single conference, describing itself as a global initiative that will organize major events in strategic regional capitals around the world over the next decade to build inclusive digital ecosystems and advance AI, blockchain, and tokenization for local development.
The summit’s official website states that Dakar 2025 is the founding city of the movement, with the organization declaring that after Nexten, the city “will never be the same again.” According to the website, the initiative aims to build bridges between governments, investors, startups, and citizens from Dakar to Hong Kong, from São Paulo to Nairobi.
Addressing Senegal’s Economic Challenges
APAnews reported that Madou Sylla, the event’s promoter, highlighted Senegal’s current economic difficulties, stating that the country faces 50% of the workforce unemployed or underemployed, 75% of jobs in the informal sector, and an 80% dependency on imports. According to APAnews, Sylla emphasized, “We’re not coming with promises, but with concrete action.”
APAnews further reported Sylla as saying, “Senegal doesn’t need more speeches or ill-suited foreign models. It needs to produce, process locally, and embrace a new economic and technological paradigm.”
Ambitious Economic Goals
The French edition of APAnews reported that Nexten aims to create more than 500,000 direct and indirect jobs in less than five years and reduce import dependency from 80% to 40% through smart industrialization. According to the same source, the initiative plans to mobilize several billion CFA francs to finance local startups and infrastructure.
APAnews quoted Sylla as saying, “Sixty-five percent of future jobs don’t yet exist. This is our opportunity,” highlighting plans for education system modernization, agricultural transformation through data and drones, and creating a monetized creative economy.
Three-Day Program Structure
The Nexten Summit website outlines a three-day thematic program. Day one will focus on “AI & Governance,” examining how artificial intelligence transforms institutions, businesses, and public services. Day two centers on “Blockchain & Decentralized Finance,” covering project financing through tokenization and democratizing investment access. Day three addresses “Innovation & Diaspora,” featuring startup pitch battles, investment opportunities, and global talent mobilization.
APAnews reported that day one will specifically center on the concept of a “Smart State,” with AI-driven solutions to modernize public administration, education, healthcare, and precision agriculture.
Revolutionary Tokenization Platform
APAnews reported that a key highlight of the summit will be the launch of NexCF, described as a groundbreaking tokenization platform that will connect Senegalese project owners with over 300,000 global investors. According to APAnews, Sylla explained, “This platform will allow local governments, ministries, hospitals, and schools to raise funds without relying solely on banks or foreign aid.”
Part of Senegal’s Broader Digital Strategy
Ecofin Agency reported that Minister of Communication, Telecommunications, and Digital Affairs Alioune Sall signed several partnership agreements on October 3 to transform national tech gatherings into “engines of employment, innovation, and investment.” According to Ecofin Agency, these initiatives form part of the government’s New Technological Deal, aimed at enhancing national competitiveness by supporting startups, training youth, and integrating emerging technologies into public services.
Ecofin Agency stated that the fourth quarter of 2025 will feature a series of high-profile events, with the Nexten Summit serving as the culmination, gathering decision-makers around AI and blockchain as engines of African growth. TechAfrica News reported that the summit aims to make Dakar the epicenter of a global movement to transform Africa’s economy and technology sectors through artificial intelligence and blockchain.
Venue and Expected Attendance
According to the search results from TechAfrica News, the Nexten Summit 2025 will be held at the King Fahd Palace in Dakar. The King Fahd Palace website indicates it has been a reference for West African meetings, conferences, and exhibitions since its inauguration in 1991, having hosted more than 3,000 national and international events.
According to APAnews, the event expects to gather more than 5,000 participants from 40 countries, including political decision-makers, industry leaders, technology innovators, startups, global investors, and major multinational companies.
Strategic Objectives
SenePlus reported that the organizers claim if Senegal fully seizes the opportunity of the Nexten Summit, it could create more than 500,000 jobs over 10 years, reduce its import dependency, and become an African leader in innovation. According to SenePlus, Sylla concluded, “These are not dreams. This will be possible. If we make the right choices today.”
The Nexten Summit website emphasizes that the event represents “more than an event” but rather “a call to action” to bring together the diaspora, innovators, decision-makers, and builders, positioning artificial intelligence and blockchain in service of the African people.
