The African Union (AU) is scheduled to convene its Executive session in Ghana from July 18 to 19, 2024, to deliberate on the “Continental Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy” and “African Digital Compact”. These initiatives, endorsed unanimously by African ICT and Communications Ministers last month, aim to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation, particularly by leveraging new technologies like AI.
Previously, over 130 African ministers and experts gathered virtually for the AU 2nd Extraordinary session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Communication and ICT. This session led to the endorsement of a Continental AI Strategy designed to guide African nations in harnessing AI for development and improving the well-being of their citizens.
Key recommendations from the strategy include the development of Africa-owned AI infrastructure, regulations to govern AI usage, and increased funding for AI research to enhance local knowledge and capabilities.
The upcoming Executive session will focus on finalizing these initiatives and identifying priorities to ensure Africa maximizes the opportunities presented by AI while safeguarding against potential threats. The AU emphasizes an inclusive and development-oriented approach, aiming for infrastructure development, talent cultivation, data utilization, innovation promotion, and robust partnerships.
The AU’s initiatives align with its efforts to enhance global AI governance and representation for developing countries, as previously highlighted during a meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). This strategy will also contribute to Africa’s participation in global digital frameworks, including the Global Digital Compact and the upcoming United Nations Summit of the Future in September 2024.
This development underscores a broader push towards digital transformation across Africa, supported by collaborations between entities like MTN Group and Huawei Technologies to establish technology innovation labs aimed at sustainable development.
In Nigeria, the government’s commitment to digital transformation is evident, with recent initiatives and visits emphasizing the role of technology firms like SecureID Limited in driving national progress.
As the AU Executive Council prepares to consider and adopt these strategies in July 2024, Africa anticipates significant strides in leveraging AI for economic growth, job creation, and enhanced global competitiveness.
