African Union greenlights AI adoption across member states

The strategy aims to fast-track AI development and adoption in Africa, driving innovation and growth in the continent.

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

This strategy was announced in a document published on the AU website on Aug. 9.

The AU’s AI strategy was formally adopted during the AU Executive Council’s 45th Ordinary Session between July 18 and 19 in Accra, Ghana. It aims to harness AI for the continent’s development and the well-being of its people.

Recommendations of the AI strategy

The 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 highlights establishing AI governance systems, promoting AI adoption in the public sector, and integrating AI into key sectors outlined in the AU’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.

The strategy also encourages AI adoption by private sectors and aims to promote an 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 strategy outlines a five-year implementation period from 2025–2030, divided into two phases.

Related: Nigeria’s AI initiative sparks tech employment growth

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 AU, regional economic communities, specialized agencies and member states.

The second phase, from 2027–2030, focuses on the practical implementation of critical projects and initiatives outlined in the strategy.

AI developments in Africa

As of July, only six African countries — 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 progress in defining AI policies and establishing institutions to drive AI development.