Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries across the globe, driving innovation, and economic growth. With its rich cultural diversity and dynamic economies, Africa stands on the tip of a technological revolution. By strategically developing its AI industry, Africa can address some of its most pressing challenges, from healthcare and education to agriculture and infrastructure, fostering sustainable economic growth.
Last month the African ICT and Communications Ministers unanimously endorsed the landmark Continental Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy and African Digital Compact to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation by unlocking the potential of the new digital technologies.
In a virtual meeting that was attended by over 130 African ministers and experts during the 2nd Extraordinary session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Communication and ICT to ignite digital transformation across the continent amidst rapid evolutions in the sector fuelled by artificial intelligence (AI) technology and applications.
The Continental AI Strategy guides African countries to harness artificial intelligence to meet Africa’s development aspirations and the well-being of its people while promoting ethical use, minimizing potential risks, and leveraging opportunities.
Identifying key priorities and actions to ensure that Africa fully benefits from the huge opportunities AI offers, the strategy calls for an Africa-owned, people-centred, development-oriented, and inclusive approach to accelerate African countries’ AI capabilities in infrastructure, talent, datasets, innovation, and partnerships while also ensuring adequate safeguards and protection from threats.
Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid, African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, pointed out during the opening of the ministerial session, that the continent should resolve to harness the new technologies for the well-being of its citizens.
“For us Africans, Artificial Intelligence presents tremendous opportunities. It is a driving force for positive transformational positive change as well as economic growth and social progress. Adapting AI to African realities is critical. AI systems should be able to reflect our diversity, languages, culture, history, and geographical contexts. As we aim to create an inclusive AI ecosystem and a competitive African AI market that is adapted to our realities and meets our ambitions, we believe examining and approving this strategy will provide a common vision and path to accelerate responsible AI innovation and adoption in Africa”, said Dr Abou-Zeid.
The Africa Union’s new Strategy sets the roadmap for African states to tap the potential of AI to achieve developmental aspirations for education and skills, health, agriculture, infrastructure, peace and security and good governance by developing human capital, strengthening research and innovation ecosystems, and building an AI-ready institutional and regulatory environment to ensure AI works for African people.
By investing in African youth, innovators, computer scientists, data experts, and AI researchers, the framework paves the way for the continent to showcase its AI skills in the global arena.
Ms. Nthati Moorsi , Minister of Information, Communications, Science Technology, and Innovation of the Kingdom of Lesotho, and Chair of the Bureau of the Technical Committee said that AI presents huge opportunities that stem from the adoption of AI-enabled systems to promote homegrown solutions to stimulate economic growth and sustainable development towards achieving the priorities outlined in the AU Agenda 2063 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The ministerial committee also endorsed the African Digital Compact, which is Africa’s common vision and one voice that charts Africa’s digital future and harnesses the transformative potential of digital technologies to foster sustainable development, economic growth, and societal well-being throughout Africa.
Commissioner Abou-Zeid further stated that the Compact is Africa’s strategic commitment to utilizing digital transformation as a catalyst for inclusive progress and sustainable development in the African continent.
She added that creating a strong pool of talents and enhancing public-private partnerships are deemed critical to promoting homegrown digital solutions.
The ministers also highlighted the importance of propelling Africa’s role in shaping global digital governance and insisted on the importance of capacity building and knowledge transfer to empower Africa’s youth, private sector and institutions to ensure their participation in the digital economy through initiatives focused on enabling ecosystems, digital education, skills development, and job reassignment.
Minister Moorosi further accentuated. “Our position must advocate for our capability to develop our own electronic technologies and equitable access to these critical resources. Additionally, we must ensure that when the global community addresses the artificial intelligence alignment problem, the unique needs and contexts of Africa are considered.”
The ministers also urged the African Union to organize a level Continental African Artificial Intelligence Summit to foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and strategic planning among stakeholders across the continent.
Both initiatives were developed through consultations with a wide array of stakeholders and constitute Africa’s contribution to the Global Digital Compact and the United Nations Summit of the Future in September 2024. They are expected to be submitted to the African Union Executive Council in July 2024, for consideration and adoption.
The Continental AI Strategy and the African Digital Compact are anchored in the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy (2020-2030) and Agenda 2063 and build on other continental digital policies, strategies, and frameworks such as the data policy, personal data protection cybersecurity, child protection frameworks targeted at fostering digital technologies in all sectors and realizing Africa’s long-term development aspirations.
Role of AI in Africa’s economic prosperity
Globally, most countries have recognized the potential of AI to drive economic growth.
In the African continent, several states have launched national AI strategies and policies to create a conducive environment for AI development.
For instance, South Africa’s “Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Grand Challenge” aims to position the country as a leader in AI research and application. Similarly, Rwanda’s Vision 2050 strategy emphasizes the role of AI in achieving sustainable development goals.
African governments are also investing in infrastructure and education to build a skilled workforce capable of leveraging AI.
Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Communication and the Digital Economy, Eliud Owalo in a recent interview with a local media station stated that the country is seeking to grow its AI sector by embracing collaboration with the private sector.
“As an African continent, we need substantial investments in internet connectivity, data centres, and cloud computing capabilities. Currently, many African countries suffer from inconsistent internet access, which hampers the deployment and utilization of AI technologies.
We are seeking Public-private partnerships that can help bridge the infrastructure gap. For example, initiatives like Google’s Project Loon and Facebook’s Express Wi-Fi aim to provide affordable internet access to underserved areas. Additionally, governments should prioritize the development of local data centres to ensure data sovereignty and reduce latency issues,” comments Owalo.
Kenya just like the majority of the African countries relies heavily on Agriculture as a key economic driver.
Dr Paul Rono, State Department of Agriculture Principal Secretary noted that the AI technology will revolutionize the agricultural sector by enabling precision farming, which enhances productivity and sustainability.
“ As a country for years, we have relied heavily on rainfed agricultural and traditional farming methods but right now we are working on improving that. One of the key technologies we are eyeing as a game changer is AI-powered tools. We believe that AI can analyze soil conditions, monitor crop health, and predict weather patterns, allowing farmers to make data-driven decisions,” Dr Rono says.
In the healthcare sector AI technology can help in addressing critical healthcare challenges in Africa, including disease diagnosis, treatment, and management. With limited access to healthcare professionals, AI-driven diagnostic tools can bridge the gap by providing accurate and timely medical assessments.
Tech experts argue that every sector of the continent’s economy will need to embrace AI technologies from, finance, education, security and the environment.This will spur the needed growth that will steer the continent’s Gross Domestic Product.
Challenges facing the adoption of AI in Africa
Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds immense potential to tackle Africa’s development challenges, from healthcare to agriculture. However, unlocking this potential requires strategic partnerships and careful consideration of ethical concerns. China has so far been a key strategic partner to most African states mostly in science, technology, infrastructure and diplomacy. The role is almost indispensable as we see a growth of trade and importation between Africa and the sub-continent of China.
Mr Sani Suleiman Sani, Programmes Officer, Paradigm Initiative, noted that “While importing technology offers a quick fix, long-term success lies in building sovereign AI capabilities. This means investing in infrastructure, fostering local expertise, and ensuring data ownership. China can support this journey through collaborative research, capacity building, and infrastructure development.”
However, concerns linger about potential abuses of China’s technologies, given that there are no restrictions to how they should be used to promote and protect civic freedom. The use of facial recognition technology raises human rights issues, with centralized databases enabling discrimination and political targeting. The Zimbabwean case and CloudWalk’s AI program exemplify these concerns, highlighting the need for transparent and ethical partnerships.
He added that African states need to embrace, private investors, and international donors must collaborate to provide financial support for startups, research projects, and infrastructure development.
The other factor that the African continent needs to address is the issue of brain drain which is a significant issue, with many skilled professionals seeking opportunities abroad. Creating a conducive environment with competitive salaries, research opportunities, and career growth prospects can retain talent within Africa.
He pointed out that although some African countries, including Kenya, are taking steps towards establishing regulations for AI, the current landscape presents both opportunities and challenges for the industry’s growth for example;
(i)Limited and outdated legal frameworks: Most African countries, including Kenya, rely on data protection laws and other “soft laws” to regulate AI. These laws often predate significant AI advancements and may not adequately address the unique risks and opportunities presented by the technology.
(ii)Fragmented landscape: With over 30 countries applying their regulations, navigating the legal landscape can be complex and cumbersome, potentially hindering cross-border collaboration and innovation.
(iii)Lack of specific AI regulations: The absence of dedicated AI regulations creates uncertainty for developers and investors, potentially slowing down growth in the industry.
In Africa, when it comes to AI regulation, you will find either of these three instruments, or a combination of all, which are National AI policy/Roadmap/Strategy, Dedicated institution or Data protection law.
