The International Security Conference on Africa (ISCA) is bringing to Kigali leaders, security experts, researchers, and policymakers from more than 50 countries to discuss the impact of these technologies on the continent’s security.
A high‑level dialogue will take place at the Kigali Convention Centre on Wednesday, August 12, under the theme “The Rise of Autonomous Systems: Implications for Sovereignty and Security in Africa.”
ISCA notes that autonomous systems, including AI‑based tools, are increasingly entering security and military operations because they are becoming cheaper, more accessible, and easier to use.
This could change the way wars are fought, especially as drones and other devices capable of performing tasks without constant human control gain popularity.
ISCA’s Executive Director, Amb. Lt Gen. (Rtd) Frank Mushyo Kamanzi, said Africa should not be left behind in shaping how these changes are applied in the security sector.
He said: “Autonomous systems are here and are transforming how security challenges are perceived, how military capabilities are developed, and how they are used.”
Kamanzi emphasized that Africa must invest in accountable governance, technology, and workforce capacity to cope with these changes.
The August 12 dialogue will bring together representatives of security institutions, international and regional organizations, researchers, and think tanks. They will discuss shifts in Africa’s security landscape and strategies for lasting solutions.
Discussions are expected to focus on lessons from military operations, opportunities and weaknesses of autonomous systems, regional competition, governance, legal frameworks for technology use, and strengthening knowledge and capacity in security institutions.
ISCA says the goal is to help Africa prepare strategies to safeguard its sovereignty and maintain independence in security matters, as new technologies continue to reshape the nature of war and global security.
