Bank Windhoek’s Annual Stakeholder Engagement Session focused on AI’s transformative potential in Africa. Managing Director Baronice Hans and keynote speaker Seydina Moussa Ndiaye emphasized the need for Africa to develop its own AI strategies. The session concluded with calls for collaboration and ethical practices in AI to ensure sustainable growth and empowerment across the continent.
Bank Windhoek held its Annual Stakeholder Engagement Session at the Hilton Hotel in Windhoek, focusing on the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in Africa. The event addressed how AI reshapes industries and the decisions that are critical for the continent’s future. Baronice Hans, the Managing Director, highlighted the importance of strategically harnessing AI for sovereignty, innovation, and sustainable growth.
In her address, Hans remarked, “Africa stands at the crossroads of this revolution. The decisions we make today will echo for generations to come. We must not simply adopt AI but shape, define, and ensure that it serves our people, economies, and aspirations. We must harness its potential not as an instrument of dependency but as a force for sovereignty, innovation, and sustainable growth.”
Bank Windhoek is committed to developing AI-driven solutions that reflect its core values and prioritize data privacy while increasing access to financial services. Hans stated, “We will ensure that, in the pursuit of progress, we never lose sight of the fundamental principles that define us: integrity, trust, and being a responsible corporate citizen.”
The keynote address was delivered by Seydina Moussa Ndiaye, Programme Director at the University of Numerique in Senegal and a Member of the UN Secretary General’s High-Level Advisory Body on AI. His speech, titled “Africa Stands at the Crossroads of the AI Revolution; We Must Shape Our Destiny by Crafting AI Strategies That Safeguard Our Sovereignty,” emphasized Africa’s need to transition from simply consuming AI to producing it.
Ndiaye underscored the significance of data, stating that as Africans collect and manage data, they can create relevant AI tools. He noted, “When AI is built with local data and is uniquely tailored to the African context, including culture and way of thinking, AI can solve African problems across various sectors.”
He further urged the banking sector to adopt ethical AI practices to maintain trust and competitiveness amidst rapid advancements in AI. Ryan Geyser, Bank Windhoek’s Digital Data and Customer Transformation Executive Officer, echoed the call for urgency in AI adoption, emphasizing collaboration and decisive action for an inclusive and ethical AI-driven future. “It is important for us as Africans to solve our problems. AI gives us an avenue to explore that possibility,” he concluded.
The Annual Stakeholder Engagement Session aims to bring together Bank Windhoek’s customers to discuss significant topics impacting the global economic landscape. The bank’s mission is to be “Connectors of Positive Change,” collaborating with customers to enhance their business value.
In conclusion, Bank Windhoek’s Annual Stakeholder Engagement Session highlighted the transformative power of artificial intelligence in Africa, emphasizing the need for strategic action to ensure AI serves the continent’s unique context. Key speakers reinforced the importance of developing local AI tools, adhering to ethical standards, and fostering collaboration. The discussions underscored the potential of AI in driving sustainable growth and empowering the African economy.
Original Source: economist.com.na
