Johannesburg — Zoom.
A South African military jet tore across the sky with a roar that seemed to shake the ground. Below it, a meticulously coordinated security presence — flashing lights, police vehicles, and barricaded roads — marked the arrival of the world’s attention. The G20 Opening Ceremony was underway, and Africa, long relegated to the sidelines of global decision-making, was claiming its seat at the table.
No private vehicles were permitted. Only VIP shuttles threaded through the layers of security, ferrying captains of industry, political leaders, and innovators into a highly controlled but electric environment. The air was thick with anticipation: not merely for the ceremony, but for what Africa’s presence represented — influence, ambition, and a growing voice that could no longer be ignored.
Inside, President Cyril Ramaphosa greeted global leaders and business captains with the poised assurance of a statesman who understands both optics and opportunity. Amidst the bustle, one introduction stood out: Dipuo Khumalo, CEO of Leruo Rail SMH, whom the President affectionately introduced as “The Locomotive Lady.”
Her story reads like a blueprint for resilience. Born in the village of Modimolle in Limpopo, raised in poverty, she leveraged her Bachelor of Administration from the University of Pretoria into a diversified industrial empire spanning mining, rail manufacturing, and municipal services. Breaking into a male-dominated mining sector, she became the first young Black woman in Limpopo to specialize in conveyor belt manufacturing. Over more than a decade, she has built operations that span material handling, industrial support, and large-scale engineering solutions. In every sense, her journey embodies the rise of African ingenuity: bold, deliberate, and transformative.
As world leaders arrived — from President Emmanuel Macron of France to India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima, — it was clear that Africa was no longer simply participating. It was shaping the conversation.
I had the privilege of attending an exclusive side event, limited to 100 participants from around the globe, that spotlighted Africa’s emerging role in AI, health innovation, and mental health leadership. The room hummed with dialogue, ambition, and urgency. And amid this, one symbol captured the continent’s emerging vision: South Africa’s designation as home to the continent’s first AI Trust Centre.
Anchored by the Africa AI Village, the Centre promotes ethical and responsible AI use across Africa, builds institutional capacity to address AI-related risks, and safeguards communities most vulnerable to emerging digital harms, particularly women and girls. The initiative is delivered in partnership with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (South Africa), AUDA-NEPAD, Microsoft, Qhala, Africa House, and Smart Africa. It represents a decisive pivot: Africa is not merely adapting to technological change; it is defining the ethical standards and governance frameworks that will shape AI globally.
From rail innovation to robotics, mining to machine learning, public health to mental wellness, the continent’s story is one of human flourishing grounded in ingenuity. Africa’s young population, its energy, and its determination are a unique combination, positioning the continent to leap forward in ways the world is only beginning to reckon with.
As the echo of the jet lingered in my mind, it became a metaphor: progress requires urgency, leadership demands clarity, systems must evolve, and minds need to expand. Africa has always had potential; today, alignment of leadership, technological innovation, and global partnerships are turning possibility into reality.
The runway is clear. The engines are ready. And the world is watching. Africa’s moment is here.
Four reflections on behavioural science and human flourishing
- Growth mindset in leadership: Dipuo Khumalo’s journey illustrates the transformative power of a growth-oriented mindset. Leaders who embrace learning, resilience, and adaptability are better equipped to navigate complexity and influence systemic change.
- Collective efficacy and community impact: Africa’s emergence in AI governance demonstrates that coordinated effort amplifies impact. When communities, institutions, and governments align purposefully, collective action accelerates innovation and safeguards human well-being.
- Psychological safety and inclusion: Behavioural science shows that environments fostering psychological safety — where voices, particularly those of marginalized groups, are valued — drive creativity, collaboration, and sustainable change. The AI Hub’s focus on women and girls exemplifies inclusive innovation.
- Temporal awareness and urgency: The jet’s roar and the summit’s pace remind us that change is both continuous and time-sensitive. Human flourishing depends on recognising windows of opportunity, acting decisively, and maintaining focus on long-term impact over short-term comfort.
Special appreciation goes to Nishai Khusial, who chaired the final panel of the day with poise, insight, and deep understanding of Africa’s digital and AI landscape. Equally noteworthy is Dumisani Sondlo, who closed the side event with authority as South Africa’s AI Policy Lead in the Working Group on the Development of the National AI Policy at the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT). Appointed in 2024, Dumisani also serves on South Africa’s 2025 G20 Presidency Digital Economy Working Group and the Task Force on Artificial Intelligence, Data Governance, and Innovation. His technical leadership ensures that the country’s AI policy and digital uptake indicators are aligned with global standards while reflecting uniquely African perspectives — a vital contribution to the continent’s responsible, human-centred AI future.
