At AIM Congress 2025, the “City Mayors’ Roundtable: Global Digital Cooperation – Mayors Leading the Way” convened city leaders to discuss advancing smart city innovation and digital transformation.

Berangere Boell, United Nations Resident Coordinator, emphasized the importance of local leadership in global progress. Tunbosun Alake, Commissioner from Lagos State, highlighted Lagos’s seven-pillar innovation plan, digital infrastructure, and youth talent initiatives.

Monrovia Mayor John-Charuk Saah Siafa outlined efforts to digitize revenue systems, train youth in digital skills, and implement smart waste management. Amable de Jesús Hernández, Mayor of San Jose de Colinas, highlighted initiatives to expand internet access, promote digital education, and enhance transparency through technology.

Tamraz Taghiyev, Chair of the National Association of City Municipalities of Azerbaijan, emphasized the need for better rural connectivity, smart city development, and stronger local-national policy alignment. Leaders agreed that digitalization hinges on talent development, supportive policies, and inclusive access.

The session “Leadership in Scaling Digital Economies” highlighted AI’s role in building inclusive, sustainable economies. Moderated by Paul Hamilton (Ibtikar) and emceed by Zulf Hyatt-Khan (Council of Slovak Exporters), panelists discussed ethical AI, upskilling, and emotional intelligence.

“AI enables personalization at scale,” said Mohamed Emad (IBM MEA). Charles Austen Angell (EPIRA.ai) added, “We’re not trying to create standardized intelligence—no two people think the same.” Ajibola Odukoya (AfriLabs) urged, “We must invest in ourselves and unlearn what we know.” Joseph Musolino (SAS Institute) called it an “AI renaissance.” Nicola Bettio (Sharjah RTI Park) emphasized AI’s role in democratizing education, while Hyatt-Khan closed with a call for gender equity and emotional intelligence in tech.

In a fireside chat on green startups, Gilbert Ewehmeh (Accelerate Africa) and Lindsay Miller (MENA Moonshots) highlighted sustainable innovation across Africa and MENA. “Sustainability is not just a buzzword—it’s about building businesses that last,” said Miller. Ewehmeh added, “When Africa and MENA work together, we create a more resilient, interconnected innovation ecosystem.”