OpenAI and 22 On Sloane to co-host AI Innovation Forum in Cape Town
Emmanuel Lubanzadio, Africa Lead at OpenAI, took to LinkedIn to announce the upcoming AI Innovation Forum, a joint initiative between OpenAI and 22 On Sloane.
The event will be held on November 10, 2025, at the 22 On Sloane Hub in Cape Town and will focus on how AI can drive innovation, strengthen startups, and support governments across the continent.
OpenAI is the San Francisco–based artificial intelligence company behind ChatGPT and other generative AI technologies. 22 On Sloane is a Johannesburg-founded innovation campus that supports startups and entrepreneurs across Africa through funding, mentorship, and policy engagement.
Lubanzadio described the forum as a collaboration “to bring together innovators, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to explore how Artificial Intelligence is creating new opportunities for growth and innovation across Africa.”
Policymakers and startups to take the stage
The event will feature keynotes, panel discussions, and startup showcases designed to examine AI’s impact on sectors such as government, business, and education. Hon. Solly Malatsi, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, will open the forum with a keynote titled How AI Can Enhance Government’s Capacity to Deliver Services to Its Citizens.
Lubanzadio said the session, co-led by him and Kizito Okechukwu of 22 On Sloane, will highlight “engaging dialogues on AI’s role in innovation, keynotes and insights from thought leaders, and start-ups showcasing real-world AI impact.”
The forum will also include a space for African startups to demonstrate how they are using AI to build scalable solutions that support community development and business growth.
OpenAI deepens engagement across Africa
The Cape Town event forms part of OpenAI’s broader strategy to expand its partnerships and policy engagement across Africa. Lubanzadio, who joined OpenAI in early 2025 after leadership roles at Twitter, the United Nations, and GIZ, leads the company’s initiatives across policy, partnerships, and ecosystem development on the continent.
He said the event aims to strengthen collaboration between governments, small and medium-sized enterprises, and the tech ecosystem to unlock sustainable innovation.
Lubanzadio closed his announcement by inviting leaders from across the continent to participate, writing: “We’re honored that Hon. Solly Malatsi, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, will open the Forum with a keynote themed ‘How AI Can Enhance Government’s Capacity to Deliver Services to Its Citizens.’”
