Overview:
African strategy leaders met in Kampala at the IASP Conference to stress that digital strategy is critical for driving future economies, inclusive growth, and sustainable development across the continent.
KAMPALA, Uganda — Africa’s leading strategy professionals and business leaders concluded the International Association for Strategy Professionals (IASP) Africa Regional Conference 2025 this week, issuing a unified call for governments and corporations to prioritize digital strategy as the core driver for future economic resilience and competitiveness.
The conference, which was held in Kampala and co-hosted by the IASP Uganda and Nigerian chapters, centered its discussions on “Shaping Africa’s Future Through Strategies for Inclusive Growth, Digital Transformation, and Sustainable Development.”
In his opening remarks, Innocent Agaba, president of the IASP Uganda Chapter, stated that the continent must move beyond recognizing potential to deliberate planning.
“Strategy professionals are the link between ambition and execution,” Agaba said. “We must become intentional about strategy, aligning our business priorities and innovation efforts to build the Africa we want. In the public sector, this means ensuring that high-level plans move to measurable performance by building supportive cultures and aligning resources.”
A primary focus of the two-day gathering was the critical role of digital transformation. Delegates explored how leveraging technology, artificial intelligence, and data-driven planning can significantly improve operational efficiency, enhance service delivery, and boost competitiveness across various industries.
Dr. Samuel Aikhuomogbe, president of the IASP Nigeria Chapter, emphasized that long-term strategic thinking is now non-negotiable for the continent’s sustained growth.
“Africa is at a turning point. We must move beyond short-term fixes to long-term strategic thinking that connects our nations, economies, and institutions,” Aikhuomogbe said. “The conversations in Kampala have set a strong foundation for that transformation by underscoring technology as a strategic imperative.”
The sessions featured presentations and case studies illustrating successful implementation of strategic thinking in both public and private sectors. Key takeaways highlighted the need for strategies that ensure inclusive growth—by using digital tools to provide equitable access to economic opportunities, particularly for youth and women—and sustainability, by embedding environmental and governance principles into digital strategy road maps.
The IASP network, according to Aikhuomogbe, provides a platform for collective learning and execution excellence, which he said is crucial for translating digital ambition into measurable continental progress.