Africa unveils milestone Artificial Intelligence declaration during international gathering in Kigali
The African continent is poised to make a significant impact in the global artificial intelligence (AI) landscape, with the Africa Declaration on AI serving as a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder framework to harness AI for inclusive growth, innovation, and ethical governance.
The landmark agreement, signed by 49 African countries, regional partners, and global entities such as the Gates Foundation, aims to establish Africa as a global leader in ethical, inclusive, and sustainable AI. The Declaration, endorsed by 54 signatories including the African Union, has attracted significant commitments, including a $60 billion Africa AI Fund.
The key goals of the Africa Declaration are multifaceted. They aim to leverage AI to drive innovation and competitiveness across Africa's economies and societies, positioning Africa as a global leader in ethical and inclusive AI adoption. The Declaration also emphasizes ensuring sustainable and responsible AI governance, developing AI talent from grassroots through advanced levels, addressing data sovereignty, and aligning national AI strategies with continental priorities.
The focus sectors prioritized under the Declaration include healthcare, agriculture, education, and climate resilience. These sectors were chosen to ensure AI solutions serve critical and context-specific African challenges effectively.
The Africa Declaration also emphasizes creating a pipeline of AI practitioners and comprehensive AI literacy to prepare Africa’s workforce for an AI-driven economy. It supports the creation of an Africa AI Council to bring together stakeholders for accelerated AI governance, policy development, and collaboration across borders.
The initiative is linked closely with other continental strategies like the African Digital Compact and AU’s Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy, aiming to coordinate a unified approach to AI development across Africa. The ethical AI governing principles stress inclusivity, safety, security, privacy, and respect for human rights, reflecting African values.
The Africa Declaration is a critical step toward ensuring Africa's rightful place in the global AI landscape. H.E. Lerato D. Mataboge, AUC Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, believes AI can accelerate Agenda 2063, create new industries, and tackle urgent challenges like healthcare and climate change.
The 2025 AI Research Colloquium, hosted by Qhala, gathered over 100 AI researchers to explore data, compute, talent, markets, and governance. The Africa Declaration sets the stage for inclusive, ethical AI systems that reflect African values and address the continent's most pressing development challenges.
The Africa Declaration and the Africa AI Council are part of a broader effort to boost competitiveness, attract investment, and enhance exports in the AI-driven global economy. Qhala, AfCFTA, and Google led a workshop on digital trade and adaptive regulation, focusing on scaling AI solutions in key sectors like healthcare and cross-border trade.
The Africa Declaration of Artificial Intelligence, launched by Shikoh Gitau, CEO of Qhala, is a significant milestone in shaping Africa's AI governance. This ambitious initiative promises to propel the continent towards a future where AI is harnessed for the betterment of all, driving innovation, fostering economic growth, and addressing critical development challenges.
- The Africa Declaration on AI, a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder framework, aims to position Africa as a global leader in adopting ethical and inclusive artificial intelligence.
- The Africa AI Council, created to bring stakeholders together, is part of a broader effort to ensure Africa leverages AI to drive innovation, competitiveness, and tackle urgent challenges like healthcare and climate change.
