African leaders convened in Kigali, Rwanda, for the Global AI Summit on Africa, culminating in the signing of the Africa Declaration on Artificial Intelligence. This landmark document, endorsed by the African Union, Smart Africa, and representatives from all 54 African nations including South Sudan outlines a unified vision to harness AI for the continent’s development while addressing its unique challenges.
The Declaration aligns with the African Union’s Continental Strategy on AI and Agenda 2063, emphasizing sovereignty, inclusivity, and ethical AI deployment. Key commitments include building a robust AI talent pipeline through education and research, establishing open data frameworks, and deploying sovereign compute infrastructure across Africa. A $60 billion Africa AI Fund, backed by public, private, and philanthropic capital, will drive innovation, infrastructure, and enterprise growth.
Other highlights include the creation of an African AI Scientific Panel to guide evidence-based policy, regional AI incubation hubs to boost innovation, and the Africa AI Council—led by Smart Africa, the AU Commission, and the ITU—to align efforts with global digital goals. The Declaration also prioritizes data governance, cybersecurity, and an “Africa-first” approach to AI procurement, leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
This move positions Africa as a potential leader in ethical and inclusive AI, balancing rapid technological adoption with sustainability and human dignity. Signed by ministers from Algeria to Zimbabwe, the Declaration marks a pivotal moment for Africa’s role in the global AI landscape.
