GDI Hub at Inclusive Africa 2025
GDI Hub at Inclusive Africa 2025: Shaping the Future of Assistive Technology and Inclusive Innovation.
The Global Disability Innovation Hub (GDI Hub) is proud to be participating in the upcoming Inclusive Africa Conference 2025, a leading regional platform advancing digital accessibility, assistive technology (AT), and disability inclusion across the continent. Taking place in Nairobi, Kenya, from June 3rd to 6th, this year’s conference promises dynamic conversations, collaborative learning, and bold innovations aimed at unlocking inclusion through technology.
GDI Hub will lead and contribute to a series of impactful sessions throughout the week, spotlighting the role of inclusive ecosystems, OPD (Organisations of Persons with Disabilities) capacity-building, and locally driven innovation.
Tuesday, June 3rd
🕒 3:40 PM – 4:10 PM
📍 Mobile as AT: Final Research Readout.
Following the announcement of the research project with ATscale, GDI Hub/AT2030, and Google, we will be presenting the final results on how mobile devices, when coupled with digital skills training, can positively impact people with disabilities. The findings highlight how mobile devices can serve as assistive technology, leading to improved functioning and a better quality of life for persons with disabilities.
Co-hosted by Google, AT Scale & Global Disability Innovation Hub.
📍Centre Digital Language Inclusion: AI for non-standard speech
🕒 June 3rd
Harnessing the power of AI to develop pioneering automatic speech recognition (ASR) solutions for people with non-standard speech around the world. Find out howGoogle and our UK International Development funded AT2030 programme are advancing non-standard speech in automatic speech recognition.
Wednesday, June 4th.
🕒 11:00 - 12:00 PM
📍The Africa We Want: Role of OPDs in Supporting the Implementation of Digital Accessibility.
As Africa embraces digital transformation, accessible technology is essential for inclusion, participation, and equality. This session will bring together leaders of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) to explore how they are advancing digital accessibility across the continent.
Through policy advocacy, standards development, awareness campaigns, and collaboration, OPDs are essential in bridging the gap between technical requirements and the lived realities of persons with disabilities. Against the background of the African Union’s Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, this session will also explore how OPDs though not explicitly mentioned—are recognized as key drivers of inclusion and accountability, and how their leadership can shape the continent’s digital and developmental agenda.
🕒 11:00 AM-1:00 PM
📍Mobile as AT: Industry Research Readout Roundtable (Closed session)
Following the announcement of our collaborative research project with ATscale, GDI Hub/AT2030, and Google, we are pleased to present the final findings on how mobile devices, when paired with digital skills training, can significantly enhance the lives of persons with disabilities. The research demonstrates how mobile phones can function as powerful assistive technologies, improving daily functioning and overall quality of life.
In this closed-door session, we will share the research outcomes and explore their real-world impact on products and services across Africa. Participants will also gain practical insights into how to make their own offerings more accessible and inclusive.
Co-hosted by Google, AT Scale & Global Disability Innovation Hub.
📍 Skills Gap & Employment for Persons with Disabilities
🕘 June 4th, 2:00-4:00 PM
Roundtable exploring barriers and opportunities around inclusive employment, with a focus on closing the digital and skills gap for persons with disabilities.
📍Innovation Village Pitching session
We'll be judging in this pitch competition alongsideATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, AT4D,inABLE& Zero Project.
Evening
📍 Satellite Event: AT2030 OPD Event & Kenyan Launch of OPD Needs Assessment
Hosted by Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa, this special evening gathering marks the national launch of a landmark OPD needs assessment, with insights on advocacy and systems strengthening.
Thursday, June 5th
🕑 11:30- 12:00PM
📍 Centre Digital Language Inclusion: A journey to creating non-typical speech to text in African Languages.
Exploring the power of AI innovation to change lives across Africa, the Centre for Digital Language Inclusion (CDLI) is creating a playbook and new technologies to allow people with non-typical speech to be able to use voice-first technology. This session will explore how digital technologies, combined with research, capacity building, local knowledge and local languages, are enabling new global solutions designed to ensure people to speak in the language they are most comfortable with. We'll hear from project collaborators Google and Global Disability Innovation Hub, alongside local partners, sharing more about this pioneering initiative supported by the UK government-funded AT2030 programme.
Friday, June 6th
📍 Satellite Event: Innovation Ecosystem Event Capacity Building for the Kenyan AT Ecosystem
The final day features a deep dive into venture development and ecosystem building for AT in Kenya.