African Union greenlights AI adoption across member states

The African Union (AU) Executive Council has approved the “Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy,” which promotes AI adoption in the public and private sectors among member states, including Nigeria. 

This groundbreaking decision was announced in a document published on the AU website on Aug. 9, 2024.

Continental AI strategy adoption

The AU strategy on artificial intelligence was formally adopted during the AU Executive Council’s 45th Ordinary Session, held between July 18 and 19, 2024, in Accra, Ghana. This strategy, endorsed by the African ICT and Communications Ministers in June 2024, aims to harness AI for the continent’s development and the well-being of its people.

The strategy’s adoption followed the AU’s 2nd Extraordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Communication and ICT, held virtually from June 11 to 13, 2024. Over 130 African ministers and experts participated, ultimately endorsing a Continental AI Strategy to guide African countries in leveraging AI technology.

Recommendations of the AI strategy

The endorsed strategy outlines several key recommendations, which include establishing an integrated hardware and software environment designed for AI and machine learning workloads to facilitate data processing and deployment.

The strategy also emphasizes establishing AI governance systems, promoting AI adoption in the public sector, and integrating AI into key sectors outlined in Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

It is also important to encourage AI adoption by private sectors, create an enabling environment for AI startups, and ensure the availability of high-quality data sets. Additionally, it stresses the importance of promoting AI skills development, fostering research and innovation, and implementing ethical AI principles that respect African culture and values.

Other key focus areas include establishing technical standards for AI safety and security, accelerating AI investment, enhancing regional cooperation, and boosting African participation in global AI governance.

Implementation phases

The Continental AI Strategy outlines a five-year implementation period from 2025 to 2030, divided into two phases.

The initial phase, covering 2025-2026, prioritizes laying the groundwork by establishing governance frameworks, developing national AI strategies, mobilizing resources, and enhancing capacities within the African Union, Regional Economic Communities, specialized agencies, and member states.

The subsequent phase, from 2027 to 2030, focuses on the practical implementation of critical projects and initiatives outlined in the continental AI strategy.

AI developments in Africa

As of July 2024, only six African countries, including Algeria, Benin, Egypt, Mauritius, Rwanda, and Senegal, have developed stand-alone AI strategies. Others, such as Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda, are integrating AI with emerging technologies like blockchain.

However, countries including Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda have made significant strides in defining AI policies and establishing institutions to drive AI development.