The AU Executive Council has endorsed what is called the “Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy,” and each of the member countries, including Nigeria, has support regarding the AI adoption across Africa in both the private and public sectors.
This will give the much needed impetus on the development of AI and growth to par with Nigeria’s digital economy vision. The AU announced this major move through a statement that was uploaded on its website on the 9th of August, 2024.
AI for Africa: New strategy launched to boost development and governance
The African Union’s AI plan is said to have been launched officially during the AU executive council ordinary session 45 that was held from 18-19th July 2024 in Accra, Ghana.
This mechanization plan was approved by the African ICT and Communications Ministers in June 2024, and the goal is to utilize AI for the continent’s enhancement and enhance the welfare of its citizens.
Its formulation comes after the pledging during the extra Annual General AU virtual meeting in June 2024, at the 2nd Extraordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Communication and ICT.
More than 130 ministers and professionals from Africa endorsed it and supported the Continental AI Strategy to guide African nations on how to harness the opportunities in AI technology.
These initiatives include the formulation of a centralized hardware and software system optimized for the implementation of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in an effort to improve on the data acquisition and app application system.
They include the development of strong AI governance policies, encouragement of the use of AI in the public sector, as well as the inclusion of AI in relevant sectors such as those that are set by the Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
It is also crucial to create appropriate conditions for private actors to embrace AI, in addition to developing an ecosystem for innovative AI companies and providing them with access to clean data.
AI skills development, research, and innovation, and the promotion of ethics and values that are bullish on African cultures form the core of the strategy.
Other areas of focus are the development of technical safety and security guidelines for AI, promoting investment in AI, strengthening collaboration and co-operation within the region, and advocacy for the African perspective in the global AI system.
AI strategy in Africa: Phase one foundations and phase two execution
The Continental AI Strategy will be implemented over a period of five years, between the years 2025 and 2030, in two phases. The first sub-phase will span across 2025 and 2026 and will involve establishing strong fundamentals.
This encompasses establishing rules and regulation, formation of national artificial intelligence policies, raising funds, and building capacities of the African Union RECs, specialized institutions, and member states.
In the second phase (2027-2030), the focus will be to scale up and deliver the key activities and projects outlined in the strategy and translate the first phase preparatory efforts into meaningful advancements.
Currently, only seven African countries: Algeria, Benin, Egypt, Mauritius, Rwanda, Senegal have developed their own AI strategies, by July 2024. Thus, modern countries like Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda combine AI with other innovative technologies, such as blockchain.
However, a list of countries extending from Ethiopia to Morocco including Ghana, Kenya, Mauritania, Nigeria, South Africa Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda are gradually emerging with clear definitions of the AI policies and establishing institutions for AI.
