From June 3–5, 2025, Nairobi became the epicenter of disability-driven innovation during the 6th Inclusive Africa Conference, hosted by inABLE. The event brought together major players from across the world of technology—Google, Microsoft, Meta, Uber, Intuit, and more—alongside African government officials, accessibility advocates, and entrepreneurs. The goal? Showcase the latest in assistive technology and push for full digital inclusion for people with disabilities across the African continent.

Sessions focused on inclusive design, AI-driven accessibility, low-cost hardware solutions, and tech-enabled employment. A major highlight was the spotlight on African-led assistive tech startups, building tools tailored to local needs, languages, and accessibility gaps. Many of these innovations addressed long-ignored realities like poor internet infrastructure, limited disability services, and a lack of disability-inclusive policy enforcement.

The conference came shortly after Kenya passed its updated Persons with Disabilities Act, making the country a leader in the region for rights-based disability legislation. This added legal momentum made the conference feel less like a wish list and more like a blueprint in motion.

Meanwhile, Liberia hosted its first-ever conference watch party, coordinated by its National Commission on Disabilities. While seemingly small, this grassroots engagement reflected a growing appetite for regional collaboration in disability tech—not just among policymakers or corporations, but on the ground in local communities.

Overall, the conference demonstrated that technology—when guided by inclusive values—can be a powerful force for disability rights. But it also raised an underlying question: Is innovation alone enough?

💭 My Thoughts (

I think these kinds of conferences are inspiring. It’s incredible to see real conversations happening about inclusion, and not just in Western countries but across Africa where disability is often an afterthought in public policy.

But at the same time, I don’t know. Conferences can only go so far. They’re great for connection, spotlighting ideas, and boosting momentum—but how much of that turns into real-world change? That’s the question I keep circling back to.

As someone building a disability-first business ecosystem in Missouri and dreaming of global impact, I want to believe that these conferences lay the foundation. But they can’t be the only foundation. We need action, jobs, accessibility in schools, and opportunities—tech alone won’t cut it.

📚 Sources  

   •    Tuko: Inclusive Africa Conference spotlights disability-driven tech (https://www.tuko.co.ke/business-economy/590875-ai-inclusive-africa-conference-spotlight-disability-driven-tech/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)     •    DN News Liberia: Liberia Hosts Historic Watch Party for Inclusive Africa Conference (https://dnnewsliberia.com/liberia-hosts-historic-watch-party-for-inclusive-africa-conference-2025-champions-digital-accessibility-and-disability-inclusion/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)     •    ICJ: African States still falling short on disability rights (https://www.icj.org/african-region-icj-report-shows-that-african-states-remain-a-long-way-from-turning-their-commitments-to-reality-in-ensuring-disability-rights/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

🎨 A Question to Consider

Do you think tech conferences like these are enough to spread awareness and spark lasting change around disability? Or do we need more boots-on-the-ground investment and community action to actually shift the system?