Africa adopts continental AI strategy for regional growth, safety

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as well as Communications ministers in Africa have unanimously endorsed the landmark Continental Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy and African Digital Compact to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation by unlocking the potential of new digital technologies.
 
More than 130 African ministers and experts virtually convened from the recent second extraordinary session of the Specialised Technical Committee on Communication and ICT to ignite digital transformation across the continent amid rapid evolutions in the sector, fuelled by AI technology and applications.
 
The Continental AI Strategy guided African countries to harness AI to meet Africa’s development aspirations and the well-being of its people, while promoting ethical use, minimising 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 ensuring adequate safeguards and protection from threats.
 
At the opening of the ministerial session, African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Dr Amani Abou-Zeid, stated that the region was resolved to harness new technologies for the well-being of Africans and to develop a continent-wide approach and a harmonised journey for this revolutionary technology to tackle Africa’s complex and most pressing challenges while minimising the risks.
   
The Minister of Information, Communications, Science Technology and Innovation of the Kingdom of Lesotho/Chair of the Bureau of the Technical Committee, Ms Nthati Moorsi, emphasised the 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 African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 and the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
 
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.