In April 2025, African leaders convened in Kigali, Rwanda, for the inaugural Global AI Summit on Africa, culminating in the signing of the Africa Declaration on Artificial Intelligence. This landmark agreement, endorsed by all 55 African Union (AU) member states and Smart Africa, outlines a shared commitment to harness AI for the continent’s development, emphasizing ethical governance, data sovereignty, and sustainable innovation.
The Africa Declaration aims to position Africa as a global leader in ethical, trustworthy, and inclusive AI adoption. It seeks to leverage AI to drive innovation and competitiveness, advancing Africa’s economies, industries, and societies. The declaration underscores the importance of aligning national AI strategies with continental goals, safeguarding data sovereignty, building digital infrastructure, and fostering a sustainable AI innovation ecosystem.
Central to the declaration is the commitment to ethical AI governance. The signatories pledge to adopt responsible national AI policies and governance frameworks aligned with the African Union AI Continental Strategy. This includes establishing a continent-wide knowledge-sharing platform to inform best practices in AI governance, including policy toolkits and AI regulatory sandboxes.
Data sovereignty is another critical aspect. The declaration emphasizes the need to safeguard African data, incorporating data practices and systems that promote diversity, inclusion, consumer protection, and intellectual property rights. This approach aims to ensure equitable benefits and just outcomes for all
While the declaration sets an ambitious agenda, its success hinges on overcoming significant challenges. The lack of universal access to the internet, electricity, and digital infrastructure in many African countries poses a substantial barrier. Without addressing these foundational issues, the benefits of AI may remain out of reach for large segments of the population.
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Furthermore, the diverse legal systems across African nations complicate the establishment of continent-wide frameworks. Experts suggest that more feasible solutions could come from bilateral agreements between countries with common interests or legal frameworks, rather than attempting a top-down approach from organizations like the African Union.
The impact of AI on the workforce, particularly concerning gender, is a critical consideration. A report presented at the summit highlighted that tasks performed by women in Africa’s outsourcing sector are more vulnerable to automation than those performed by men. Specifically, tasks performed by women are 10% more susceptible to automation, a trend that could deepen gender inequalities if not addressed.
To mitigate these risks, the declaration emphasizes the importance of investing in training and upskilling, particularly for women and youth, to prepare them for higher-skilled and better-paying roles in the evolving AI landscape.
A significant component of the declaration is the establishment of a USD 60 billion Africa AI Fund. This fund aims to support the development of AI infrastructure, research, and innovation across the continent. However, details on the fund’s management and allocation remain scarce, and its success will depend on transparent governance and effective implementation.
The Africa Declaration on Artificial Intelligence represents a bold step toward realizing the potential of AI on the continent. However, translating this vision into reality requires concerted efforts at national and regional levels. Governments must prioritize digital infrastructure development, harmonize legal frameworks, and invest in human capital to ensure that AI benefits are equitably distributed.
Moreover, fostering regional cooperation will be essential. Nations with similar legal systems and technological capabilities should collaborate to create harmonized AI policies and standards, facilitating cross-border data flows and innovation.
In conclusion, while the Africa Declaration sets a promising foundation for AI development, its success will depend on the continent’s ability to address infrastructural, legal, and social challenges. With sustained commitment and collaboration, Africa can harness AI as a transformative tool for inclusive and sustainable development.
