Africa's AI Strategy: A Transformative Force for Development

A bold vision from the AU. But here is the risk: we are still focusing too much on building AI capacity and not enough on unlocking real, local demand. We keep training talent for jobs that do not exist. Not because the need is not there, but because the system to serve that need is too expensive or never got built. AI changes that. It makes it economically possible to deliver essential services — health, legal, agricultural — at scale, affordably, and locally. That is where the real jobs are. I lay this out in my new article for Rest of World. The AU strategy lays groundwork. Now let us be honest: if we do not activate demand, we will just keep exporting our best minds. 👉 Read my piece: https://restofworld.org/2025/ai-africa-professional-jobs/ #AfricaAI #AU #Agenda2063 #AIForDevelopment #FutureOfWork #RestOfWorld

We are energized by the African Union’s strategy to transform food systems through youth empowerment, innovation, and climate-smart agriculture. At Junior Agripreneur Hub Africa, we are ready to put this vision into action by equipping young learners with the practical skills and entrepreneurial mindset needed to lead Africa’s agrifood transformation. This strategic direction strongly aligns with our work, and we look forward to being part of its implementation across the continent.

I look forward to being a part of the implementation phase of this strategy. The Kofi Annan Global Health Alumni network is going to be a pivotal component of this continental effort.

We welcome the launch of Africa’s Continental AI Strategy! We believe it’s a critical step toward a people-centered, ethical, and inclusive AI future. At ACDT, we’re committed to advancing AI as part of broader Digital Public Infrastructure that empowers governments, safeguards public interest, and drives innovation aligned with #Agenda2063. We stand ready to support African institutions in making this vision a reality. #DigitalTransformation #DPI #Agenda2063

A powerful move towards an inclusive digital future for Africa. Excited to see how this strategy will drive innovation, protect data sovereignty, and empower local talent.

Africa has a unique opportunity to harness artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate inclusive development and leapfrog traditional infrastructure gaps in sectors like healthcare, education, agriculture, and public services. By investing in local talent, promoting AI education, fostering public-private partnerships, and building ethical and inclusive AI frameworks, the continent can develop solutions tailored to its diverse linguistic, cultural, and economic realities. With strategic collaboration across nations and a strong focus on innovation, Africa can position itself not just as a consumer of AI technologies, but as a global contributor and leader in responsible and context-aware AI.

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The African Union must abandon Agenda 2063, as it’s disconnected from Africa’s urgent needs and the rapid advancement of AI, which will likely surpass AGI by 2063. Instead, the AU should adopt the proactive model of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), whose focus on security and economic integration shows greater promise, including in AI development. Countries like Sudan, South Sudan, DRC, Somalia, and Chad need immediate aid to end conflicts, ensure food security, mandate free education, and foster equitable state contributions. By investing in AI research, eradicating corruption, and adopting sustainable systems, Africa can achieve real progress. #AfricaRising #AI #SahelStates

The current strategy uses language like “inclusion” and “diversity” but doesn’t center rural realities as a strategic pillar. ✅ Introduce a “Rural AI Equity Principle”: All national AI strategies must demonstrate how rural populations will be reached, engaged, protected, and empowered by AI tools and infrastructure. “To truly realize an inclusive AI future, the AU must not merely include rural Africans but center their needs, wisdom, and participation as core to AI’s continental relevance. From offline tools and voice-driven models to rural innovation hubs and agroecological forecasting systems, Africa must design AI for where its heart still beats: the rural majority.”

This document is very interesting because it identifies areas of action for gender, inclusion and development issues. For me, who is involved in the electricity regulation sector, it is interesting to think about the avenues for developing AI for energy efficiency and the regulatory framework in the sector, knowing that an electricity law is in preparation. ///// ce document est tres interessant car on y dégage des axes d'actions pour les questions de genre , d'inclusion, de développment. Pour moi qui suit dans le secteur de la regulation de l'electricité, il est interessant de penser aux pistes de developpement de l'ia pour l'efficacité énergétique et du cadre reglementaire dans le secteur, sachant qu'une loi de l'electricité est en préparation