Africa’s New AI Strategy: What’s Next?

The African Union’s newly launched AI strategy marks a significant milestone for the continent. As AI continues to play an increasingly critical role in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare and financial services, this strategy offers a timely framework to guide Africa’s AI development and governance. It builds on existing digital frameworks like the AU Data Policy Framework (2022) and the African Digital Transformation Strategy (2020-2030) while introducing a distinctly rights-driven, inclusive approach that prioritizes ethics, diversity, and protecting human dignity.

The Global Center on AI Governance played a pivotal role in shaping this strategy. Our CEO, Dr Rachel Adams and researcher Ayantola Alayande were deeply involved in the drafting and consultation process. But what does this strategy really mean for African countries, and how should it be implemented?

To answer these questions, we have published a detailed analysis exploring the key components of the strategy and outlining practical next steps for policymakers, businesses and civil society.

What you will find in our analysis

1. Strategic priorities: We delve into how the strategy addresses AI’s potential benefits in priority sectors, while managing risks related to gender, human rights and cybersecurity.

2. Country-level implementation: Learn how individual African countries can adapt the strategy to their unique contexts, focusing on building robust data infrastructure and fostering inclusive AI ecosystems.

3. Collaborative approaches: Explore case studies like Nigeria’s AI strategy, which offers valuable insights into multi stakeholder engagement, capacity building, and public-private partnerships.

4. The role of AORAI: Discover how the African Observatory on Responsible AI is positioned to support the strategy’s goals through research, capacity building, and knowledge sharing across the continent.

In our paper, we provide an in-depth look at the implications of the African Union's Continental AI strategy, offering recommendations to ensure its success and addressing critical gaps such as international partnerships and data governance. 

If you’re interested in a nuanced understanding of what this strategy entails and how it can shape Africa’s AI future, we invite you to explore our full response.