Speaking at the High-Level Panel on Leadership in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the Global AI Summit on Africa, African Union Commission Chairman Mahmoud Ali Yusuf highlighted the AU’s efforts to position Africa as a leader in the global AI revolution. He shared the stage with prominent leaders including His Excellency Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda. My lord. Musalia Mudavadi, Secretary to the Cabinet of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya. His Excellency Faure Nassingbé, President of the Republic of Togo. Mr. Strive Masiyiwa, Founder and Executive Chairman of Econet Group. Her Excellency Doreen Bogdanmartin, Director-General of the International Telecommunication Union.
His Excellency Yusuf highlighted the AU’s leadership in shaping Africa’s AI-driven future, ensuring that the continent becomes a frontrunner, not just a participant, in the global AI transformation. With the adoption of the Continental AI Strategy, the AU has set a clear policy direction to integrate AI into Africa’s development agenda and leverage it as a catalyst for economic growth, innovation and inclusive digital transformation.
Continental AI Strategy: A roadmap for transformation.
The Continental AI Strategy, recently approved by the AU Executive Council, highlights Africa’s commitment to harnessing AI for socio-economic progress. This strategic framework establishes the foundations for AI governance and innovation at national, regional and continental levels, promoting inclusive, sustainable and resilient ecosystems.
Through its five-year implementation plan, the AU is supporting member states to:
Integrate AI into national development plans and establish a harmonized national AI strategy. Develop policies to retain and attract AI talent, reduce brain drain, and foster local expertise. Foster public-private partnerships to accelerate AI investments and industry-led solutions. Prioritize AI deployment in key areas such as governance, healthcare, agriculture, and climate resilience. Strengthen the AI research and innovation ecosystem by supporting AI startups and enterprises. Put in place legal and regulatory frameworks to prevent bias and abuse of AI. Promote international and intra-African cooperation for AI capacity building and development.
AU’s role in implementation
HE Yusuf reiterated that the AU, through AUDA-NEPAD and its specialized agencies, actively supports Member States in implementing their strategies by:
Provide technical assistance for AI policy development and governance frameworks. Organize regional and continental dialogue to strengthen regulatory capacity for AI. Advance the AU Data Policy Framework to enable African countries to manage, govern and use data as a key enabler of AI innovation. Currently, 22 of the 35 interested countries are benefiting from AU-led technical support.
AI and the African Continental Free Trade Area: A game changer for the digital economy
With the operationalization of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and digital trade protocols, the African AI market is poised for exponential growth. AI is expected to play a pivotal role in digital trade, increasing efficiency, fostering innovation, and creating new business opportunities for African youth and entrepreneurs.
With the global AI market expected to reach USD 3.68 trillion by 2034, Africa needs to:
• Align AI development with the continent’s economic challenges and digital transformation goals.
• Invest in AI infrastructure, digital skills, and computing power to build a competitive AI industry.
• Build a harmonized regulatory environment to enable cross-border AI trade and investment.
• Leverage Africa’s rich and diverse datasets to drive AI innovation and power global AI models.
AI for Africa’s cultural and linguistic renaissance
One of the key priorities for AI in Africa is to develop AI solutions that reflect Africa’s linguistic and cultural diversity. This is critical to ensuring inclusive AI adoption and preventing digital exclusion. AI-driven innovation must serve all Africans and foster equal participation in the digital economy.
conclusion
Finally, His Excellency Yusuf reaffirmed the African Union’s commitment to promoting Africa-centric AI solutions and ensuring that AI functions as a force for sustainable development, economic inclusion, and technological sovereignty. Through collaborative leadership, strategic partnerships, and a shared vision for the future, Africa is poised to thrive in the age of AI.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of the African Union (AU).
