Slow news week, but some feel-good stories about an application for AI doing eye tracking to give sight impaired computer users new tools, growing communities of AI-tastic developers in Nigeria, and funding for an AI-powered book reading startup.

But the news that has been sucking the attention of many in the African AI space is the “scandal” around AI use in generating South Africa’s freshly minted new draft AI policy.

Politicians were swift to beat their chests and howl: “This debacle represents one of the most alarming failures of ministerial oversight and intellectual rigour in the recent history of South Africa’s digital governance,” said parliamentary chief whip Imran Subrathie (ANC) in a statement.

Oh the pearl clutching! The pulpit thumping!

AfricaAINews has been working through the document, and there is no scandal. The style is very consistent, and does’t smell that much of AI. It appears AI was used in pulling together relevant research in early stages, and that the crime was that in a list of 67 references in an appendix there were some flaky hallucinations referring to non-existent source. Only 24 actually appear in the body of the document (and these were all legit). The long reading list was likely from an early draft and left in as an editing oversight. For what it’s worth, the referenced research inputs were in the stage-setting preamble, not the meat of the policy directives/interventions sections.

Essentially the “scandal” is a bullshit story, more about settling political scores. The ANC, which leads the government of national unity (coalition) along with the DA, is putting the boot in because the communications minister is DA, and they’ve not been getting on.

We will publish our in-depth soon, but top-line findings from AfricaAINews.com:

• The Draft South Africa National AI Policy is a generally sound document that takes into consideration many of the key issues countries are grappling with, but is fundamentally based on definitions and thinking of three years ago, when AI companies could do no wrong, and it was taken as read that LLMs could do what it said on the tin.

• There is little or no real discussion of the limits of AI, its real-world effectiveness, and its ability to reliably do work that humans need to do (it makes stuff up, gets things wrong, a lot).

• It defines AI fairly generally, talking about Machine Learning, Neural Networks, but then immediately ditches inclusion of any techs other than LLMs, as if it was the only show in town

• The definition of AI is poor, which leads to many questionable lines of thinking. It defines AI as “artificial” (indicating non-natural) and “intelligence” (the ability to reason, perceive, learn, and generate insights). A key missing element in “intelligence” is the ability to self-correct through intuitive thinking (let’s call it common sense). AIs do not possess imagination or intuition, and so are 100% confident sounding, and don’t check their thinking.

• The policy starts off very narrowly targeting education, healthcare and agriculture (with Public Administration thrown in to test application), but then almost immediately throws it open to any sector.

• Policy interventions are big on governance (as noted by Stafford Masie in his open letter that seems to launch from a quick scan of the first few pages before taking off into stratospheric AI boosterism), but specific interventions in the document are also very big on infrastructure and tech startup investments. Who is paying for this? Is it a good idea for the South African taxpayer to throw money down the black hole of AI funding?)

The draft AI policy is 86 pages long, AfricaAINews.com has 21 pages of excerpts and notes we’re working on to turn into a digestible form. Coming soon. Promise.

On with this week’s issue.

/Roger

(note cover image photo of SA Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, by Misha Jordaan/Gallo Images)

Applications

Malawian innovator wins ICT award for assistive AI

#Malawi #applications — A Malawian developer has won a top award at Malawi’s 2026 National ICT Innovation Awards with an AI-powered assistive technology aimed at improving accessibility for people with vision impairment. The AI-powered desktop eye-control system enables individuals with conditions such as cerebral palsy or quadriplegia to operate a computer using only eye movements. (Tech Review Africa)

SA’s Home Affairs suspends officials over fake AI references

#SouthAfrica #applications #publicsector — South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has suspended officials after discovering falsified AI-related qualifications and references. The action follows an internal review led by Minister Leon Schreiber, raising concerns about governance and skills verification in the public sector. This comes hot on the heels of the AI Policy document references “scandal”, although this is actually serious (see note above in introduction). (TechCentral)

Education

Egypt and Intel expand AI and digital skills partnership

#Egypt #policy — Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and Intel Corporation are deepening collaboration on AI strategy, digital infrastructure and talent development. The partnership emphasises skills training, cybersecurity and advanced infrastructure to accelerate Egypt’s digital transformation. Just talks now, expected to turn into an MoU. Intel is of late resurgent, after being late to the AI party, especially as compute requirements shift back to CPU and away from Nvidia’s GPU approach. (TechAfrica News)

Policy

Morocco faces 1.3 million AI-driven job losses

#Morocco #jobs - Morocco could see more than one million net job losses by 2030 due to artificial intelligence, according to a new report. While 4.6 million roles may be affected, limited digital job creation and structural challenges such as skills gaps risk intensifying labour market disruption. (Morocco World News)

Funding

East Africa builds regional AI backbone with $10bn push

#Uganda #infrastructure — Uganda has thrown its hat into the ring with the East African Community (EAC) to build a regional AI backbone, intending to shift from fragmented policies to coordinated execution. Plans include a Regional AI Technologies Fund and shared infrastructure, supported by a $10 billion continental initiative, with funding driven by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (The Kenyan Wall Street)

Egypt edutech startup secures $1.45M funding for AI reading

#Egypt #funding — Startup Sinai AI has raised funding to scale its AI-driven reading platform aiBook, which is designed to enhance literacy and engagement. The company uses AI to personalise (licensed) content, with interactive elements and text to speech. The finance round was led by KAUST Innovation Ventures and DisrupTech Ventures, with Maza Ventures, YOUXEL Ventures and angel investors kicking in. (Daba Finance)

Algeria launches national AI skills training programme

#Algeria #education — Algeria has introduced a national AI training programme aimed at strengthening digital skills and preparing a future-ready workforce. It includes a 12-week training segment with some real-world project experience, and targets 500,000 ICT specialists, delivered at the El Rahmania National Specialized Vocational Training Institute in Algiers, where a business incubator has been opened to support entrepreneurs. (Ecofin Agency)

Events

DeepMinds launches DeepX summit in Algeria

#Algeria #DeepTech - DeepMinds has launched DeepX, a regional summit in Algiers designed to turn scientific research into commercial ventures. Backed by multiple government ministries, the initiative brings together global researchers, AI experts and industry leaders. (Middle East AI News)

Cursor AI kicks off Nigerian chapter with Lagos gathering

#Nigeria #applications — Cursor, a popular AI coding tool from the USA, ran a Cafe Cursor meetup event in Lagos. It is looking to expand into Nigeria, targeting developers with tools to build and deploy AI-driven applications. With initially 100 local developers expected, it got 700 applications, suggesting a real hunger for access to better tech tools. (Punch)

[ This newsletter was human grep’d and AI cat’d ]

#Ghana #AIStrategy — President John Dramani Mahama has launched Ghana’s first National Artificial Intelligence Strategy in Accra, setting out a vision for Ghana to become a leading African AI hub with a AI-powered society by 2035. Developed by the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations with support from GIZ FAIR Forward, the British FCDO, UNDP, UNESCO and the KNUST Responsible AI Lab (RAIL), the strategy is built around eight pillars covering education, youth employment, infrastructure, data governance, ecosystem development, sector adoption, applied research and public sector AI. A National AI Fund starting at 5 billion Ghanaian cedis ($450m) will seed implementation, while the government plans to attract a total of 200 billion cedis ($18b) in local and foreign direct investment by 2035.

SO WHAT? — Ghana’s bold new National AI Strategy (2025-2035) makes a deliberate choice to aim to be a producer of AI, not simply a consumer. President Mahama’s call to build sovereign AI that understands local languages, reflects Ghanaian culture and solves Ghanaian problems to empower Ghanaian society. The strategy’s economic goal is also ambitious, targeting a 500 billion cedi ($45b) GDP contribution from AI by 2035. AI coordinators will be appointed across every ministry, and a Responsible AI Authority will be established within the first year of stratgey implementation.

KEY POINTS:

• Ghana has launched its first National AI Strategy (2025-2035), built around a mission to harness AI for inclusive growth across all sectors and position Ghana as a leading African AI hub by 2035. The strategy was launched by President John Dramani Mahama at a high-level event in Accra on 24 April 2026.

• Other speakers at the launch event included Hon. Samuel Nartey George, Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations; and Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament.

• The new National AI Strategy is structured around eight pillars:

  • expanding AI education and training,

  • empowering youth for AI jobs,

  • deepening digital infrastructure and inclusion,

  • facilitating data access and governance,

  • coordinating a robust AI ecosystem,

  • accelerating AI adoption across sectors,

  • investing in applied AI research, and

  • promoting AI adoption in the public sector.

• A National AI Fund will be established with an initial 5 billion Ghanaian cedis ($450m) over five years to 2030, scaling to a 15 billion cedi ($1.4b) fund from 2030 to 2035. The strategy targets 200 billion cedis ($18n) in total foreign and local private sector investment to grow Ghana’s AI ecosystem by 2035.

• AI is targeted to contribute 200 billion Ghanaian cedis to GDP by 2030 and 500 billion cedis ($45b) by 2035, with the strategy framing AI as a national development pathway spanning governance, education, health, agriculture and the broader economy.

• Every ministry will designate an AI focal person to drive implementation across the public service, following a Cabinet AI Bootcamp held under the Chief of Staff’s leadership. The preparatory step already seems to have shifted AI from a technical issue to a government-wide strategic priority.

• The strategy proposes GhanaChat, a large language model to be trained on data from government agencies and arms of government, for internal government use. The sovereign AI chatbot platform will be designed to boost productivity, while preventing civil servants from transmitting confidential information overseas.

• Ghana plans to establish a Responsible AI Authority within the first year, modelled on Singapore’s National AI Office, the Egypt National AI Council and the UK’s Office for AI. The authority will coordinate institutional stakeholders, oversee implementation and lead ongoing monitoring and evaluation.

• The strategy includes a target of curating 1 trillion tokens worth of Ghanaian datasets by 2030, with grants proposed for the creation and annotation of datasets across health, agriculture and education. The target will form part of a deliberate effort to build AI on locally grounded data rather than imported training sets.

• Key development partners in the strategy include GIZ FAIR Forward, the British FCDO, UNDP, UNESCO and the KNUST Responsible AI Lab (RAIL). Ghana is also working with UNESCO and the European Commission to implement the AI Readiness Assessment Methodology through a national multi-stakeholder process.

• The strategy also calls for the creation of 10 Ghanaian AI unicorns and a privately funded Ghanaian AGI lab competing globally, ambitions that frame the strategy not merely as a digital governance exercise but as an economic competitiveness agenda setting long-term commercial targets.

ZOOM OUT — The strategy launch follows a significant infrastructure announcement made earlier this month. Ghana's Cabinet recently approved plans for a $250 million national AI computing centre, announced by Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George at a national stakeholder engagement on Ghana's AI Readiness Assessment. The computing centre will support AI research, development and deployment across agriculture, healthcare, education and financial services. Ghana already ranks third in Africa for AI readiness and sits at the geographic and institutional centre of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]

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Ghana National AiI Strategy, 2025-2035 (April 2026)

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Read more about African national AI strategies:

• Mauritius launches new National AI Strategy (Africa AI News)

• Ghana approves $250M AI Hub & National AI Strategy (Africa AI News)

• Zimbabwe to put AI at the heart of its economy (Africa AI News)

• New ‘AI Made in Morocco’ strategy (Middle East AI News)

• AI stakeholders advance Algeria’s national strategy (Middle East AI News)

This has been a spectacularly busy news week, particularly in North Africa, with major developments in Egypt, both technical and property, and in Algeria. Also Libya, still bitterly divided between warring regimes, has been moving forward with some really interesting tech implementations, like AI-controlled oil well drilling.

While so much is going on at the practical AI coal face, governments and policymakers are still only hand-waving at the Augean stables of national AI policy. Case in point: the draft AI policy for South Africa, Africa’s largest market for AI tech production and adoption, is being hotly debated.

The general feeling is that the policy is big on concept, big on government control, not so big on practicalities. This is unsurprising, if you go back to the original National Discussion Document of 2023, the mistake was already being made.

The thinking behind national strategies is outdated. Back then, the loudest voices in the room were global tech companies, and management consultancies. They still are, making promises they can’t deliver on.

National policy is derived from this disastrous assumption that AI does what it says on the tin. It will take over from humans, do things better, faster cheaper. But policy still does not address AI’s huge limitations and fundamental flaws. AI is brilliant. But at many, many things, it is just bad. It gets things horribly wrong, is glib and confident while offering (sometimes hilarious) hallucinations, and is funded by our children’s futures. Not to mention that global AI tech giants are more often than not led by glad-handing sociopaths.

It is time that governments stop believing the self-serving fantasies of the AI cheerleaders, and start asking hard questions about its real world capabilities, limitations and infrastructural requirements. Because this is what serious policy needs to consider.

On with this week’s issue.

/Roger

Datacentres and CoEs

Algeria builds AI & cybersecurity startup cluster

#Algeria #startups — Algeria has launched a national AI and cybersecurity startup cluster in Sidi Abdallah. The Abdelhafid Ihaddaden Scientific and Technology Hub connects universities, founders and investors to accelerate commercialisation, with plans to replicate the model nationwide by 2027. (Middle East AI News)

New 500-acre AI Campus planned for New Cairo

#Egypt #innovation — Orange Egypt, Paragon | Adeer and Plug and Play are developing a 500-acre (2 sq.km.) AI Campus in New Cairo. The initiative aims to support 100 startups by 2030 through infrastructure, training and global market access, strengthening Egypt’s innovation ecosystem. (Middle East AI News)

Egypt unveils EGP1.4T AI-enabled The Spine cognitive city

#Egypt #smartcities — Talaat Moustafa Group is leading the development of “The Spine”, a EGP 1.4 trillion ($27-billion) cognitive city project in New Cairo. The Spine is designed as an AI-enabled economic hub, integrating business, residential and financial zones, aiming to boost GDP, attract global FDI. (Egypt Today)

Valeo expands Cairo AI development hub

#Egypt #automotive — Valeo has launched an AI Development Centre in Cairo with over 50 engineers, reinforcing Egypt’s role in its global software operations. The company already produces around half its software locally, with AI contributing to 35% of validated code. (Middle East AI News)

LLMs

TokenAI releases Horus LLM

#Egypt #LLMs — Cairo-based TokenAI has released Horus 1.0-4B, a compact multilingual language model trained on 1 trillion tokens. The model outperforms several larger peers on benchmarks. Arabic-optimised, and available in seven variants to suit different hardware and deployment environments, Horus has been released as open source via a MIT licence. (Middle East AI News)

Applications

Libya executes AI-driven oil drilling operation

#Libya #energy — Libya has completed its first AI-driven drilling operation in an oilfield, marking only the second such deployment globally. The project used advanced analytics to optimise drilling performance, including fully automated drilling during some key phases. (Libya Observer)

Tadhamun Bank Libya deploys AI customer chatbot

#Libya #chatbots — Tadhamun Bank in Libya has implemented an AI-powered chatbot developed by JMR Infotech to improve customer engagement. The system enables automated responses across digital channels, enhancing service efficiency and accessibility. (Finextra)

Almadar Aljadid telecoms rolls out AI chatbot in Libya

#Libya #applications — Also in Libya, telecom operator Almadar Aljadid has partnered with Egypt’s WideBot to deploy an AI chatbot, improving customer service and operational efficiency. The solution supports multilingual interactions and automates routine queries. (Connecting Africa)

Mozambique digitises health facilities nationwide

#Mozambique #healthcare — Mozambique is rolling out a national plan to digitise health facilities, aiming to improve data management, patient tracking and service delivery. It will initially digitise 63 health facilities, with a project budget of $40 million, disbursed by the World Bank. The initiative includes electronic health records and integrated systems to support decision-making, with AI-enabled analytics to enhance disease monitoring and resource planning. (Club of Mozambique)

Uganda launches AI partnership for smart agriculture

#Uganda #agriculture — Uganda has launched a new partnership with the United Nations Health Industry Foundation and the Prince Kimbugwe Foundation to deploy AI technologies in agriculture, targeting improved productivity and climate resilience. The initiative will support farmers with predictive analytics, crop monitoring and data-driven decision tools. (African Trade Chamber)

Botswana Minerals uses AI to refine copper targets

#Botswana #mining — Botswana Minerals has deployed AI-driven modelling to improve copper exploration targeting in the Damara Belt, enhancing geological precision and reducing exploration risk. The company says the technology integrates geophysical and geochemical datasets to identify high-probability deposits, with initial success being a 9.5-kilometre copper anomaly, a 20-kilometre silver anomaly, and a 2.4-kilometre lead-zinc core zone. (FurtherAfrica)

Policy

Ghana advances national AI strategy rollout

#Ghana #policy — Ghana is progressing with its national AI strategy, aimed at driving innovation, economic growth and public sector transformation. The framework focuses on infrastructure, skills development and governance. Officials emphasise the role of AI in enhancing productivity across industries while ensuring ethical deployment and inclusive benefits for citizens. (Ghanaian Times)

Algeria unveils IP policy for higher education

#Algeria #policy — Algeria has introduced a national intellectual property policy model for higher education institutions, aiming to enhance innovation management and research commercialisation. Developed with the World Intellectual Property Organisation, the framework supports universities in protecting and leveraging inventions. The policy is expected to strengthen technology transfer and foster a more robust research and innovation ecosystem. (World Intellectual Property Organization)

Burundi unveils national AI integration framework

#Burundi #policy — Burundi has introduced a national framework to integrate AI into governance and economic development, outlining priorities for public sector digitisation and private sector innovation. The strategy focuses on capacity building, infrastructure and regulatory alignment to support adoption. Officials say the framework will enhance service delivery, improve efficiency and position the country within the regional digital economy landscape. (TechAfrica News)

African Union appoints Abiy Ahmed AI champion

#Africa #policy — The African Union has appointed Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed as its champion for AI and digital health, signalling a push to coordinate continental strategies. The role will focus on advancing innovation, strengthening health systems and promoting cross-border collaboration. The appointment underscores growing political commitment to leveraging AI for socio-economic development across member states. (Fana Media Corporation)

South Africans outspend Netflix on AI tools

#SouthAfrica #adoption — We’re not going to summarise this story because it’s nonsense. (MyBroadband)

Education

Tunisian students create AI startup, sets Guinness record

#Tunisia #innovation #hackathon — A student team from the University of Sfax has achieved a Guinness World Record building a complete AI startup in three hours. It’s a little dubious, depending on how you define “complete”, “three” and “is”. The challenge had students from major institutions at Sfax, including the Faculty of Economic Sciences and Management and the Higher Institute of Business Administration, work together on tech, human resources, marketing and finance. (Arab Founders)

Algeria wins four medals at AI Olympiad

#Algeria #education #AIOlympiad - Algeria’s national team secured two gold and two silver medals at the African AI Olympiad in Tunisia. The achievement reflects growing national investment in digital skills and youth talent development as the country builds its future technology workforce. (Radio Algeria)

[ This newsletter was human grep’d and AI cat’d ]

We found our copy of the draft AI policy for South Africa. Turns out you Google “south africa government gazette ai policy”and it’s the first hit. AfricaAINews.com is digesting it to produce a quick-read analysis for our readers, but in the meantime there are a host of views out there already.

The sentiment is largely supportive in principle, but finding the policy cumbersome and overly-focused on government insisting on driving the ship via a slew of new authorities and regulators. Some argue that it is going to lumber innovators with a heavy hand before there is even something to regulate (startup guru Stafford Masie), others feel that it is not focused enough on people - and the skills they need to be AI’s masters, not its victims (tech journalist Gugu Lourie).

Also pretty late to the policy party, Mauritius launched its AI strategy this week as well, AfricaAINews.com does a deep diver here. The government’s new FAIR Guidelines is a framework to guide responsible AI development and usage across Mauritius, FAIR being Fairness, Accountability, Inclusiveness and Integrity, and Responsibility. The framework is as yet non-binding, so its real world effects still need to be felt.

Let us know what you think by replying to this newsletter, and like and subscribe.

On with this week’s issue.

/Roger

Applications

Egypt orders AI integration in defence systems

#Egypt #policy — President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has directed the integration of AI technologies into Egypt’s defence systems to enhance national security capabilities. The move focuses on modernising military operations, improving data analysis, and strengthening strategic readiness. It is part of broader efforts to adopt advanced technologies across state institutions. (Egypt Independent, and MiddleEastAINews.com summary podcast)

Zambia digitises 12m health records in SmartCare

#Zambia #healthcare — Zambia is rolling out what it has dubbed the SmartCare Pro system, digitising over 12 million patient records to build an AI-ready healthcare ecosystem. The Ministry of Health says the platform will improve clinical decision-making, patient tracking and service delivery, marking a major step in modernising national health infrastructure through data integration and advanced analytics. (TechAfrica News)

Angola deploys AI to detect tax fraud

#Angola #policy — Angola’s General Tax Administration is deploying AI-driven systems to detect fraud within its electronic invoicing platform. The initiative aims to strengthen compliance, improve revenue collection, and reduce tax evasion by analysing transaction patterns in real time, signalling a broader push by Angolan authorities to modernise fiscal oversight. (Plataforma Media)

Egypt explores AI-powered TradeTech Sandbox

#Egypt #FinTech — Egypt is exploring options to create its first AI-powered TradeTech Sandbox through talks between the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade and Visa. The initiative would help exporters identify new markets using AI and data-driven trade models. (Zawya)

Datacentres and COEs

Econet launches AI unit in Zimbabwe expansion

#Zimbabwe #business — Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has launched a dedicated AI business unit to support advanced data analytics, automation, and new digital products. Econet AI will roll out NVIDIA-powered Cassava AiCloud, hosted at the Cassava AI Factory in South Africa (claiming it’s the only facility of its kind in Africa, Altron would beg to differ). (The Herald)

Makerere University launches AI and data science centre

#Uganda #education — Makerere University has launched a new AI and Data Science Centre to advance research, skills development, and innovation across Africa. The university says the centre will support interdisciplinary collaboration, train students in emerging technologies, and contribute to solving regional challenges through data-driven solutions and academic-industry partnerships. (Makerere University)

Events and Hackathons

Kenya eyes AI hub status ahead of GITEX 2026

#Kenya #events — Kenya is positioning itself as Africa’s leading AI hub ahead of the first GITEX in Kenya, highlighting investments in innovation ecosystems, policy frameworks, and digital infrastructure. GITEX and AI Everything Kenya is running May 19 to 21 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre. (Capital FM)

Namibian students build data analytics solution for media business

#Namibia #applications — A team of Namibian students developed a prototype system aimed at helping media organisations better understand operational and commercial data. Teams participated as part of a 48-hour hackathon hosted by the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST) in collaboration with New Era media. (New Era Live)

Policy

Mauritius launches national AI strategy and guidelines

#Mauritius #policy #applications — Mauritius has launched a National AI Strategy based on its FAIR Guidelines (Fairness, Accountability, Inclusiveness and Integrity, and Responsibility) to drive ethical, inclusive adoption of AI across its economy. Led by the technology Ministry with support from the UNDP, the plan targets infrastructure, skills and governance. (Africa AI News)

42% of Moroccan workers share files with AI tools

#Morocco #cybersecurity — A new study from cybersecurity firm Kaspersky and consulting group Averty found 42% of Moroccan workers have shared sensitive work documents with external AI tools. The findings highlight concerns that workplace AI adoption is outpacing governance, training and data protection safeguards. (Hespress)

Kenya AI bill proposes powerful regulator

#Kenya #policy — A new analysis piece applauds Kenya’s proposed AI bill introducing a strong regulatory authority to oversee deployment, compliance, and ethical use of AI technologies. Central to the bill is a four-tier classification system that regulates AI based on its potential for harm. (TechCabal)

Funding

South Africa startup raises $5m for efficient AI models

#SouthAfrica #funding #applications — SA-founded startup Refiant AI has raised $5 million in seed funding led by VoLo Earth Ventures to tackle the growing energy demands of AI systems. Founded in 2025, the company compresses and restructures models to reduce compute requirements while maintaining performance, enabling deployment on smaller devices and local infrastructure. (iAfrica)

Uganda-China pact targets 50,000 digital skills

#Uganda #education — Uganda and China have signed a deal to benefit 50,000 Ugandans through digital skills and AI training initiatives over three years. It was signed by the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, the China-based United Nations Health Industry Foundation (UNHIF), and the Prince Kimbugwe Foundation. It has three pillars: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Emerging Technology support through local innovation hubs, International Exchange Programs for students and Youth Capacity Building through mentorship and entrpreneurial support. (Ministry of ICT Uganda)

Ghana and Japan fund $1.5m AI innovation projects

#Ghana #funding — Ghana and Japan have launched $1.5 million in joint projects focused on AI, peacebuilding, and health innovation. The initiative aims to support research, capacity development, and practical solutions addressing societal challenges, reinforcing bilateral cooperation and advancing Ghana’s innovation ecosystem through targeted funding. (MyJoyOnline)

UNDP and Senegal deepen digital development ties

#Senegal #policy — The United Nations Development Programme and the Government of Senegal are strengthening collaboration on a digital development agenda that includes AI adoption. The partnership focuses on governance, innovation, and infrastructure to accelerate digital transformation, improve public services, and support sustainable economic growth. (TechAfrica News)

Orange Maroc launches AI Garden startup programme

#Morocco #startups - Orange Maroc and Technopark have launched the AI Garden startup programme to support Moroccan startups building AI-driven solutions. The initiative offers cloud, cybersecurity and AI tools to help ventures develop, test and scale products, boosting Morocco’s digital economy ambitions. (Tech Africa News)

Robotics

Egypt launches first homegrown robotics maker

#Egypt #robotics - Cairo-based Raedbots has launched Egypt’s first domestic industrial robotics manufacturing business, producing AI-powered robotic systems built entirely in Egypt. The startup says local production can reduce automation costs by up to 50%, widening access for regional manufacturers. (Middle East AI News)

[ This newsletter was human postulated and AI rebutted ]

#Mauritius #AIstrategy — Mauritius has officially launched its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025–2029 alongside a new ethical framework called the FAIR Guidelines, and a Digital Transformation Blueprint for the country’s public sector. Unveiled at an event on Friday April 10th in Phoenix by the Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation Dr Avinash Ramtohul, the new strategy aims to position Mauritius as a trusted regional AI leader by 2029. The strategy is developed and managed by a newly established government AI Unit, a citizen-facing AI assistant called DIVA, and a Regional AI Marketplace designed to connect startups, businesses and public institutions across Africa and beyond.

SO WHAT? — Mauritius is a small, open, services-driven economy with strong institutions and a track record of punching above its weight in financial and digital services. The country’s new strategy gains immediate credibility because it was co-designed via a Public-Private-People Partnership model rather than imposed as a top-down policy approach. Together with national AI governance and ethics guidelines and a digital transformation plan for the public sector, it is clear that much work has been done on the practicalities of implementation. Meanwhile, the inclusion of DIVA as the default AI interface for every government mobile service is a concrete, immediate commitment. So, for a nation of 1.3 million people, the national AI ambition appears proportionate, grounded and well-structured.

KEY POINTS:

• Mauritius held a launch event in Phoenix for its National AI Strategy 2025–2029 on April 10th. Co-designed with via a Public-Private-People Partnership model, the strategy embodies contributions from the public and private sectors, academia, civil society and trade unions. The government defines the approach as a defining feature of its digital transformation agenda.

• The National AI Strategy identifies AI as a new pillar of socio-economic transformation, with a national vision to build an innovation ecosystem that nurtures startups, supports applied research and strengthens collaboration between government, industry and academia.

• The new strategy is built around six strategic priorities:

  • data and compute infrastructure,

  • skills and human capital;

  • AI-driven economic innovation;

  • responsible AI in government;

  • international and regional engagement; and

  • research and knowledge systems to inform policy

• A new government AI Unit was established under the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation last year, headed by Ramakrishna Mudaliar. The unit will serve as a central engine for cross-government AI adoption and strategy implementation.

• The government also released FAIR Guidelines, providing an ethical framework for AI development and use in Mauritius, grounded in Fairness, Accountability, Inclusiveness and Integrity, and Responsibility. The guidelines are designed to ensure AI adoption across the country remains transparent, trustworthy and people-centred.

• DIVA (the Digital Interactive Virtual Assistant) was also announced at the event as the default AI interface for every government mobile service. The bot is positioned it as a 24-hour AI companion for citizens accessing public services. It represents one of the most concrete near-term deliverables of the strategy, impacting the public-at-large with immediate effect0.

• A Regional AI Marketplace has been launched by the new AI Unit website, connecting solution providers, startups, businesses and public institutions to accelerate the development and deployment of AI solutions across the region.

• KOREK (a super app) has also been introduced as a one-stop platform for government services, complementing DIVA and reflecting the government’s broader push to digitise public service delivery across Mauritius, Rodrigues and surrounding islands.

• The strategy was developed with strategic input from the United Nations Development Programme and the UN Office, adding an international governance dimension and reinforcing Mauritius’ commitment to aligning its AI agenda with global responsible AI standards.

AI GUIDELINES — The government’s new FAIR Guidelines set out a shared, non-binding framework to guide responsible AI development and usage across Mauritius. Built around four core values — Fairness, Accountability, Inclusiveness and Integrity, and Responsibility — the guidelines apply across all sectors and at every stage of an AI system's lifecycle, from design and development through to deployment, monitoring and decommissioning. They are intentionally practical rather than theoretical, reflecting the realities of a small, open economy while remaining aligned with international best practice. The FAIR Guidelines do not create legal obligations, but instead, they sit alongside existing legislation and the new National AI Strategy as part of a layered governance framework designed to build public trust and support.

PUBLIC SECTOR BLUEPRINT — Mauritius’s Digital Transformation Blueprint 2025–2029 sets out a structured roadmap to guide public sector transformation. The Blueprint was developed across four strategic pillars: building state-of-the-art digital infrastructure, developing digital skills across the entire population, driving private sector innovation and startup growth, and embedding sustainability into the country’s digital future. The Blueprint is designed to transform public service delivery through a unified government portal harnessing an AI assistant and a super app built. It also supports the government’s vision as a inclusive digital nation where no citizen is left behind.

[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]

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Mauritius National Ai Strategy 2025-2029

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Mauritius FAIR Guidelines 2026

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Mauritius Digital Transformation Blueprint 2025-2029

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LINKS

• Mauritius AI Unit (website)

• Regional AI Marketplace (website)

Read more about national AI strategies:

• Ghana approves $250M AI Hub & National AI Strategy (Africa AI News)

• Zimbabwe to put AI at the heart of its economy (Africa AI News)

• New ‘AI Made in Morocco’ strategy (Middle East AI News)

• AI stakeholders advance Algeria’s national strategy (Middle East AI News)

There is a surreal air to the AI industry right now with the ongoing and catastrophic war in Iran and Lebanon drawing the world’s attention away from the AI circus. But timing is everything, and the global AI behemoths are still frantically fuelling the hype machine as things start to fall apart around them (Stargate, Sora).

Right now, the likes of OpenAI and XAI are exclusively addressing a private equity and institutional investors, desperate to convince them they will ever make their money back… if they just open their chequebooks for one last, big push. Best they get an epidural because this is a $2 trillion baby they are going to have to squeeze out, where the AI stuff is being tied to anything hot and cash generating. Like xAI tied to SpaceX, and xAI valued at “only” $250 billion. Which is the market cap 65th largest company in the ENTIRE WORLD, just behind companies that have actually ever made money, like Nestle, Shell and Phillip Morris.

That leaves the rest of the AI industry to try talk to people who do have a clue, but it’s not clear if those they’re talking to aren’t perhaps also running before they walk and putting all their eggs in one basket.

The hype bubble is not popping, so much as wheezily softening, and the taps are running dry for funding. It’s consolidation time!

So we’re going to turn our eyes from empty hyperscaler spectacle and look at some small, real and technically advanced developments here at home. Like Token.ai, which launched what appears to be the first open source, open access LLM from Egypt, and which does pretty good claimed benchmarks, beating the latest 4B OSS model out from Google, Gemma 4.

Should we be impressed? Let us know in the comments, and like and subscribe.

On with this week’s issue.

/Roger

Datacentres and COEs

Moroccos $1.2bn in AI data centre finds a home

#Morocco #datacentre — More information on Morocco’s $1.2 billion AI datacentre mooted in June last year (reported in MiddleEastAINews.com). This major AI-focused data centre will be built in Nouaceur, outside Casablanca. It is being developed by an international consortium of Nexus Core Systems (project execution), Naver Cloud platform operations), and NVIDIA (processors). Finance through Lloyds Capital, and TAQA Morocco for energy supply, with a focus on renewable sources to power the facility sustainably. (AF Net)

Liquid C2 launches Google Cloud-powered AI experience centre

#Africa #CoEs — Liquid C2 has launched a Google Cloud-powered AI experience centre to accelerate enterprise adoption, a first in Africa. The facility enables businesses to test solutions, access expertise and deploy scalable cloud technologies. (Engineering News)

Orange Maroc partners Technopark to boost startup innovation

#Morocco #applications — Orange Maroc has partnered with Technopark Maroc to accelerate innovation and support startups through a new AI-focused initiative. Signed at GITEX Africa 2026, the collaboration introduces the “AI Garden” programme, offering cloud, cybersecurity and connectivity resources to help startups develop and scale solutions. (TechAfrica News)

LLMs

Egypt’s Token AI releases open source Horus model

The Horus-1.0 series consists of text generation models, fully trained from scratch in Egypt on trillions of clean training tokens, says developer Assem Sabry. Horus-1.0-4B, featuring an 8K context length, with original and compressed weights for use on different hardware. A transformer-based architecture, it balances computational efficiency with exceptional knowledge density. It is open source and available from TokenAI’s site. (TokenAI)

Policy

African cities lag global peers in smart city index 2026

#Africa #policy — Nine African cities feature in the IMD Smart City Index 2026, but none rank in the global top 100, highlighting structural constraints. Rabat leads the continent at 124th, followed by Cairo and Cape Town, with the index emphasising that governance, institutional strength and citizen trust outweigh technology investment as key determinants of smart city performance. (deep dive in Africa AI News)

EU and Morocco set up Digital Dialogue to strengthen partnership

#Europe #policy — The EC’s VP for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen, and Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, Morocco’s Minister Delegate in charge of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, signed the agreement on Wednesday. Areas of collaboration: rollout of secure, trusted digital networks and infrastructure, supporting the deployment of AI compute infrastructures, advanced cooperation between Moroccan AI research institutes and EU AI Factories, and supporting start-ups. (European Commission)

Botswana minister drives digital push with China, Austria visits

#Botswana #policy — Botswana’s Minister of Communications and Innovation, David Tshere, will visit China and Austria to strengthen its digital transformation. He will meet with Huawei and attend the China Information Technology Expo, targeting infrastructure expansion, AI integration and skills development. The Austria leg is under the remit of the International Atomic Energy Agency. (TechAfrica News)

Uganda partners with UK to expand digital skills and AI learning

#Uganda #education — Uganda’s Ministry of ICT and National Guidance is partnering with the British High Commission to scale digital skills and AI-enabled learning nationwide. The initiative focuses on curriculum development, teacher training and infrastructure support, aiming to equip young people with future-ready competencies while strengthening bilateral cooperation. (ICT Uganda)

Rwanda boosts AI strategy through capacity building initiative

#Rwanda #education — The Government of Rwanda is advancing its AI strategy with a targeted training initiative for its Chief Digital Officers, aimed at strengthening practical knowledge and application of AI in governance. This is being done with the help of Cenfri, a World Bank aligned development NGO. (TechAfrica News)

South Sudan to ratify Kigali AI conference resolutions

#SouthSudan #policy — South Sudan will ratify resolutions from the Kigali AI conference to strengthen its innovation ecosystem. Officials say the move will guide national policy, promote skills development and encourage investment as the country seeks to align with regional frameworks and accelerate digital transformation despite massive infrastructure and capacity challenges. (Eye Radio)

South Africa opens draft AI policy for comment - but still no document

#SouthAfrica #policy — AfricaAINews.com covered South Africa’s Cabinet approving the draft AI policy for public comment last Friday. The framework ostensibly prioritises ethical deployment, skills development and inclusive growth. There has been some in-depth meta-analysis. But where is the draft policy? If you can find it, let us know. (Analysis: ITWeb)

Applications

Tanzania cardiac institute launches AI and robotics lab

#Tanzania #applications — The Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute has launched a new AI and robotics laboratory to enhance specialised healthcare delivery. The facility will support advanced diagnostics, surgical precision and medical research, positioning the institute at the forefront of digital health innovation in East Africa while improving patient outcomes and expanding training opportunities for clinicians. (The Citizen - paywall)

IBM and Elsewedy scale enterprise AI in Egypt

#Egypt #implementation - IBM and Elsewedy Electric are deploying agentic AI across operations using watsonx, covering supply chain, HR and finance. With over 30 use cases identified, the partnership reflects a shift from experimentation to structured, enterprise-wide AI adoption in Egypt. (Zawya)

#Africa #SmartCities – Nine African cities feature in the IMD Smart City Index 2026, published by Swiss business school IMD across 148 cities worldwide, although none rank inside the global top 100. Morocco’s capital Rabat leads the African table at 124th globally, followed by Cairo at 125th and Cape Town at 127th. The results reveal a consistent pattern across African cities: technology scores frequently outpace governance and institutional structures scores, the inverse of what the index identifies as the formula for top-performing smart cities globally. Abuja is the only African city to improve its position year-on-year, rising two places to 131st.

SO WHAT? – The IMD index’s central finding this year, that strong institutions predict smart city performance more reliably than technology investment, is particularly relevant for Africa. Several African cities score reasonably well on technology indicators but lag on governance, transparency, and citizen trust. That structural gap cannot be closed by infrastructure spending alone. For African policymakers, the index is less a technology diagnostic and more a governance scorecard.

Here are some key facts and figures from the Smart City Index:

• Nine African cities rank in this year’s IMD Smart City Index, out of a total of 148 cities worldwide. The index, published by Swiss business school IMD, measures how residents experience urban technology, infrastructure, and governance.

• Rabat ranks first in Africa at 124th globally, rated C across both Structures and Technology pillars. Morocco’s capital has pursued a governance-led smart city strategy since 2019 through its Rabat Smart and Sustainable City initiative, combining digitisation of municipal services with citizen participation frameworks and sustainability investment.

• Cairo is placed second in Africa at 125th globally, also rated C across both pillars. Egypt’s smart city strategy is anchored in its Vision 2030 framework, with investments in nationwide fibre-optic networks, IoT systems, and the flagship New Capital: a purpose-built smart city district being built from the ground up to global standards.

• In third place among the African cities listed is Cape Town (127th globally), rated C across both pillars. South Africa’s legislative capital takes a pragmatic approach to smart city development, focusing on AI-enabled public safety systems, open data governance, and digital inclusion under its Thriving City 2050 vision.

• Algiers is placed fourth in Africa at 128th globally, rated C on Structures but D on Technology. The Algerian capital’s smart city strategy, initiated around 2017, centres on local talent development and ecosystem building, with priority areas including intelligent transport, energy optimisation, and regulatory sandboxes.

• Nigeria’s city of Abuja is the only African city to improve its global ranking in 2026, rising two places to 131st. The federal capital is pursuing a large-scale infrastructure-led transformation. Meanwhile, the 841-hectare Abuja Midtown smart district, backed by multi-billion dollar private investment and international partnerships including Japan’s JICA agency.

• Nairobi ranks sixth in Africa at 136th globally, rated C on Technology but D on Structures. Kenya’s capital scores relatively well on digital infrastructure and innovation ecosystem indicators, but institutional and governance scores remain a constraint on its overall ranking.

• Lagos, Accra, and Tunis occupy the bottom three African positions, ranking 138th, 142nd, and 146th globally respectively, all rated D across both pillars. All three cities slipped compared to their 2025 positions. Tunis recorded the lowest Structures score among African cities, at a factor average of 36.1.

• Four of the nine African cities in the index are in North Africa: Rabat, Cairo, Algiers, and Tunis. The placement reflects the region’s relatively higher levels of digital infrastructure investment and institutional development compared to sub-Saharan peers. Sub-Saharan Africa’s highest-placed city remains Cape Town.

• Across all nine African cities, the index highlights a recurring pattern: technology adoption is outpacing institutional capacity and citizen trust. The IMD report notes that cities with higher Technology scores than Structures scores, the profile of most bottom-ranked cities globally, consistently underperform against citizen expectations.

ZOOM OUT – Rabat's position as the top-ranked African smart city in the IMD Smart City Index 2026 reflects a sustained national commitment to urban digital transformation. Morocco's smart city programme extends well beyond the capital. Casablanca, the country's commercial hub, has deployed AI-driven traffic systems, digital governance platforms, and urban data analytics for pollution and waste management. Marrakech is advancing renewable energy adoption and low-emission urban design under its Green Marrakech initiative. Rabat itself hosts the Ville Verte eco-district, combining smart water systems, electric buses, and intelligent energy management. Morocco is also purposefully driving AI adoption and AI development across all regions. The new Jazari Institutes network aims to distribute digital infrastructure, nurture home-grown talent and cascade the AI Made in Morocco strategy across the country.

[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]

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IMD Smart City Index 2026 (March 2026)

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Also see our sister site Middle East AI News:

• Dubai, Abu Dhabi top Arab cities in IMD Smart City Index (Middle East AI News)

Lots of news to share this week, but running a little later than usual today, so we’ll keep the preamble to a minimum. Some significant movement forwards for AI policy across a number of African countries this week. Ghana’s approved its National AI Strategy (together with a $250 AI hub project), South Africa’s new national AI policy draft is open for comments, Egypt publishes extensive national AI guidelines, and Mozambique appoints a head for its newly formed Transformation and Innovation Agency.

Lots more news below!

On with this week’s issue and wishing all those celebrating a happy Easter!

/Roger

Policy

Ghana approves $250m AI hub & AI Strategy

#Ghana #AIstrategy - Ghana’s Cabinet has approved a $250 million AI computing centre and a national AI strategy launching on April 24, aiming to boost adoption across sectors including healthcare and finance. Backed by partners such as UNESCO and GIZ, the plan positions Ghana as a leading West African AI hub. (Africa AI News)

South Africa opens AI policy for public input

#SouthAfrica #AIstrategy - South Africa’s Cabinet has approved a new draft of its national AI policy for public comment, centred on ethical deployment, skills and inclusive growth. Built on six pillars, it aims to balance innovation with regulation while boosting job creation and strengthening government capacity to adopt AI responsibly. (Gov.za)

Egypt publishes national AI governance framework

#Egypt #governance - Egypt’s National Council for Artificial Intelligence has released a comprehensive AI governance framework and generative AI guidelines, introducing a four-tier risk model and lifecycle oversight. The policy positions Egypt as a regional anchor for responsible AI while laying the groundwork for future national AI legislation. (Middle East AI News)

Mozambique launches agency to drive digital shift

#Mozambique #government - Mozambique has created a Digital Transformation and Innovation Agency and appointed Adilson Gomes to lead it, alongside new AI and digital governance bodies. The government targets 80% mobile penetration and 95% coverage, despite low rankings, as it accelerates infrastructure, cybersecurity and public service digitisation efforts. (We Are Tech Africa)

Kenya targets lead in Africa AI investment push

#Kenya #investment - Kenya is positioning itself as Africa’s AI investment hub, leveraging renewable energy and attracting up to $300 million in planned AI infrastructure projects. Government and partners including KenInvest and AmCham are advancing regulatory sandboxes, local talent development and data infrastructure to drive long-term ecosystem growth. (KBC Digital)

UN urges Africa to fund AI via debt and revenue

#Africa #debt - The UN Economic Commission for Africa warns countries risk missing AI-driven growth, with under 1% of global data centres on the continent. It urges governments to boost tax revenues, borrow, and tap pension and sovereign funds to finance digital infrastructure, energy, and skills development. (Reuters)

Education

Uganda-China deal to train 50,000 youths in tech

#Uganda #technology - Uganda’s Ministry of ICT, UNHIF and the Prince Kimbugwe Foundation have signed a three-year MOU to equip 50,000 youths with AI and digital skills. The partnership includes innovation hubs, China exchange programmes, and a 40-acre industrial park to boost innovation and employment. (ICT.go.ug)

Nigeria, UNDP launch AI hubs in universities

#Nigeria #innnovation - Nigeria’s government and UNDP are transforming universities into AI innovation and digital talent hubs through the UniPod initiative, launching first at the University of Lagos. The programme aims to reach 500,000 learners, support up to 2,000 startups, and position Nigeria as a leading digital economy. (This Day Live)

Sudan PM orders AI education and health digitisation

#Sudan #digitaleducation - Sudan’s Prime Minister Kamil Idris has issued directives to launch an AI bachelor’s programme, expand digital education, and digitise hospital systems within two weeks. The plan includes electronic medical records, national project monitoring, and pilot deployments at Soba Teaching and Al-Gadarif hospitals. (Sudan Embassy)

Zambia prepares AI rollout in schools

#Zambia #schools - Zambia’s Ministry of Education is planning to integrate artificial intelligence into classrooms to support its competence-based curriculum. Permanent Secretary Kelvin Mambwe said the initiative will improve efficiency, reduce teachers’ workload and enhance learning outcomes, alongside nationwide school digitalisation and expanded internet access. (APA News)

R&D

Tunisia, Algeria launch joint AI research platform

#Tunisia #R&D - Tunisia and Algeria have launched a joint digital platform linking universities and research labs to accelerate AI collaboration. The initiative enables data sharing and joint projects across sectors including healthcare and industry, aiming to boost regional innovation and create a more integrated Maghreb research ecosystem. (Ecofin Agency)

Mozambique AI scientist wins UNESCO honour

#Mozambique #healthcare - Mozambican researcher Alexandre de Fátima Cobree has been named among UNESCO’s top 10 young scientists for his work applying AI in healthcare. His recognition highlights Mozambique’s growing role in digital innovation, with AI-driven diagnostics seen as key to improving access and efficiency in health systems. (360 Mozambique)

East Africa launches regional AI network push

#EastAfrica #Rwanda #inovation - East African Community partners have launched the EAC AI Alliance and a Regional AI Network to coordinate education, research and innovation. The initiative, unveiled in Kigali, brings together over 450 stakeholders and aims to build a skilled workforce, strengthen collaboration, and scale AI development across member states. (IUCEA)

Digital government

Nigeria launches AI app for public services access

#Nigeria #digitalservices - Nigeria has launched CLHEEAN, an AI-powered app developed by the National Orientation Agency to improve citizen engagement. The platform enables users to access government information, submit feedback, and interact via messaging and voice, with multilingual support aimed at enhancing accessibility and transparency. (Ecofin Agency)

UAE Presight expands AI deals across Africa

#UAE #digitalgovernment - Abu Dhabi-based Presight, backed by G42, has signed AI agreements with Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Gabon to deploy digital government systems. The deals span public services, cybersecurity and data analytics, extending Presight’s footprint to 11 African markets amid rising global investment in AI infrastructure. (Africa AI News)

Implementation

IBM and Elsewedy scale enterprise AI in Egypt

#Egypt #digitaltransformation - IBM and Elsewedy Electric are deploying agentic AI across operations using watsonx, covering supply chain, HR and finance. With over 30 use cases identified, the partnership reflects a shift from experimentation to structured, enterprise-wide AI adoption in Egypt. (Zawya)

M&A

Ascent Africa expands with Clarence AI deal

#SouthAfrica #M&A - Ascent Africa has acquired a stake in Clarence AI, an Africa-built narrative intelligence platform, strengthening its shift towards data-driven marketing. Clarence AI, already used by governments and institutions, has analysed millions of conversations and supported over 100 campaigns across the continent. (BizCommunity)

[ This newsletter was human bathed and AI rinsed ]

#Ghana #AIstrategy – Ghana’s Cabinet has approved a $250 million investment to establish a national AI computing centre, alongside formal approval of the country’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which is set for public launch on 24th April 2026. The announcements were made by Communications Minister Samuel Nartey George at a national stakeholder engagement on Ghana’s AI Readiness Assessment, convened by the Ministry in partnership with UNESCO and funded by the European Union. The computing centre will support AI research, development, and deployment across agriculture, healthcare, education, and financial services, as Ghana positions itself as West Africa’s primary AI hub.

SO WHAT? – While such digital infrastructure investments may be becoming commonplace in Europe and the Middle East, Ghana’s planned $250 million AI computing centre is a serious capital commitment for any African government. The country already ranks third in Africa for AI readiness and sits at the geographic and institutional centre of the African Continental Free Trade Area. Combining hard infrastructure investment with a formal ten-year national strategy gives Ghana a more complete national foundation for AI adoption and its digital economy than most of its regional peers currently have in place.

Here are some key points about the government announcement:

• Ghana’s Cabinet has approved a $250 million AI computing centre on Tuesday, designed to support AI research, development, and deployment at national scale. The centre forms part of President John Mahama’s broader agenda to accelerate Ghana’s digital economy using artificial intelligence across key productive sectors.

• The Cabinet also approved the long-awaited National Artificial Intelligence Strategy and is scheduled for formal public launch on 24th April 2026. The strategy covers the period 2023 to 2033 and was developed with support from Smart Africa, German development agency GIZ FAIR Forward, and The Future Society.

• The strategy is built around eight pillars, covering AI education, youth employment, digital infrastructure, data governance, ecosystem development, sectoral AI adoption, applied research, and public sector deployment. Seven priority sectors are identified, including healthcare, agriculture, financial services, and energy.

• A dedicated Responsible AI Office will oversee implementation, ensuring the strategy aligns with ethical standards and national development goals. The office will coordinate cross-sector efforts, monitor progress, and manage stakeholder engagement throughout the ten-year programme.

• Ghana ranks 72nd globally and 6th in Africa in the Global AI Index 2025, behind Egypt (52), Mauritius (59(, South Africa (69) and Tunisia (71). The index covers 83 countries across 122 indicators and assesses investment, innovation, and AI implementation. Ghana’s ranking reflects balanced development across talent, research, infrastructure, and a growing startup ecosystem.

• Ghana’s mobile penetration exceeds 110%, with 38 million mobile subscriptions nationwide. The minister cited this as a strong foundation for AI-driven services, particularly in sectors such as digital finance and agricultural extension where mobile connectivity is already embedded in daily life.

• The stakeholder engagement was framed around UNESCO’s AI Readiness Assessment Methodology, which evaluates national preparedness across governance, infrastructure, data ecosystems, research, economic readiness, and ethical safeguards. Findings from the assessment will directly inform policy planning and implementation priorities.

• Ghana’s AI ambitions connect to the wider continental trade agenda. As host of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat in Accra, Ghana is positioned at the centre of Africa’s emerging digital trade ecosystem — giving its national AI infrastructure a potential regional role beyond domestic application.

ZOOM OUT – Ghana's National AI Strategy (2023 to 2033) and sets out an ambitious but grounded ten-year roadmap. Its eight pillars span the full policy stack, from integrating AI into school curricula and building youth employment pathways, through to data governance frameworks, applied research investment, and embedding AI into public sector operations. Seven sectors are prioritised for implementation: healthcare, agriculture, financial services, transportation, energy, environment, and land management. A dedicated Responsible AI Office will oversee delivery and maintain ethical standards throughout. The strategy was designed with regional collaboration built in from the start, supporting Ghana's ambition to help shape the continent’s position in the global AI economy.

[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]

#Africa #UAE #expansion – Big data analytics and AI company Presight, majority-owned by Abu Dhabi technology group G42, has signed separate Memoranda of Understandings with the governments of Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Gabon to support national digital transformation programmes. The agreements cover the design and deployment of AI-driven digital systems for public administration, financial transparency, cybersecurity, and government service delivery. The deals extend Presight’s African presence to at least eleven markets, as the continent attracts growing international AI investment.

SO WHAT? – Africa is emerging as one of the most contested frontiers in sovereign AI deployment, with governments across the continent actively seeking partners to build national digital infrastructure. Presight’s model of deploying AI directly into government operations rather than selling software licences positions it as an operational partner rather than a vendor. With G42 behind it and and support from the Abu Dhabi government, it also carries institutional weight that matters when negotiating with government ministries and national agencies.

Here are some key details about the new deals:

• Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange-listed Presight (ADX:PRESIGHT) has signed MoUs with Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Gabon to support national digital transformation. The agreements focus on integrating AI, data analytics, and automation into public sector operations, government service delivery, and national infrastructure.

• In Côte d’Ivoire, two MoUs were signed with the Ministry of Digital Transition and Digitization and the Ministry of State, Public Services and Modernization of the Administration. The agreements aim to position the country as a regional hub for digital innovation and AI across West Africa.

• The Burkina Faso partnership includes plans for an AI Expert Factory to train local engineers, and the establishment of the Ouaga Granit Valley Centre: a national hub designed to accelerate the country’s AI startup ecosystem. The deal also covers cybersecurity frameworks and financial transparency systems.

• In Gabon, the MoU signed in February 2026 renews an existing agreement with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Innovation, maintaining continuity in an ongoing digital transformation programme and extending the scope of AI-driven modernisation of public services.

• Presight is also active across eight additional African markets, including Angola, the Republic of Congo, Mauritius, Seychelles, Tanzania, The Gambia, Zambia, and Uganda, through partnerships, pilot projects, and digital innovation programmes.

• The new agreements arrive as Africa attracts significant AI investment. The African Development Bank Group and the United Nations Development Programme have jointly launched a $10 billion initiative to accelerate responsible AI adoption across the continent. The UAE separately committed $1 billion in 2025 through its AI for Development initiative targeting African AI projects.

• Presight is majority-owned by Abu Dhabi-based G42. It focuses on applied AI for governments and critical infrastructure, building platforms that embed operational intelligence into national and enterprise-scale environments within secure, regulated frameworks.

ZOOM OUT – Presight's African push is part of a larger international expansion story. The company reported full-year 2025 revenue of AED 3.03 billion ($825 million), up 36.9 percent year-on-year, with international revenue surging 130 percent to AED 1.17 billion — rising from 23 percent to 38.5 percent of total revenue in a single year. Live deployments are already running across Jordan, Kazakhstan, and Albania. With AED 3.4 billion in new orders secured and a debt-free balance sheet, Presight is targeting 20–25 percent annual revenue growth through 2029, betting that emerging markets represent the most fertile ground for sovereign AI deployment.

[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]

Read more about the UAE in Africa:

• UAE commits $1 billion to African AI infrastructure (Africa AI News)

This week’s news is education, education and more education. Ghana has leaned on Huawei for $250-million in education funding, and South Africa on Google for who knows how much. It should be a lot considering the scale of the project, and the fact that this deal provides the South African education ministry with a tonne of training and certifications, but also drops Google’s ChromeOS Flex (the one without secure boot, etc) and Google Workspace onto a bunch of old Windows computers. Extend old hardware, unseat Microsoft.

There is an interesting analysis by Launch Base Africa (Nigeria-based media company) of AI funding. Should be read with care as it covers startup funding in public domain, so the full picture may be well different. But the take-home is that five countries are attracting 95% of startup funding (i.e. brand new seed round) on our continent. The analysis below is worth a read, looking at the nature of the startups per country, which seem to be playing to their strengths: Egypt for language models, South Africa for infrastructural tech, Nigeria for application-specific foundational tech, Morocco, Tunisia have narrow vertical end-user application (such as marketing).

On with this week’s issue!

/Roger

Education

Ghana signs $250m AI training deal with Huawei

#Ghana #education #funding — Ghana has secured a $250 million agreement with Huawei to provide AI training for 3,000 girls in the government’s Girls in ICT Programme. Signed by Ghana’s Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovations, Samuel Nartey George, and Huawei regional president Steven Yi, the agreement covers a two-week residential training model currently includes modules in coding, animation, web development, cybersecurity, and basic computing, now with the addition of AI training. (Business Insider Africa)

South Africa, Google sign AI skills pact

#SouthAfrica #education — South Africa’s Department of Higher Education and Training has partnered with Google to expand AI and digital skills development, targetting students and educators. Google will provide training resources and certifications, including 5 000 Google Career Certificate scholarships in fields such as AI Essentials, Cybersecurity and Data Analytics. Burying the lede, the announcement also says it will deploy its lightweight, Google-apps oriented OS ChromeOS Flex to “revitalise existing hardware”. Financial terms were not disclosed. (SAnews)

Tanzania sends scholars abroad for AI studies

#Tanzania #education — Tanzania has sent 32 scholars to Ireland for advanced studies in data science and AI, under the Samia Extended Scholarship Programme (DS/AI+), which aims to build local expertise and strengthen national capacity. 18 of the current cohort are studying at the University of Johannesburg, with the fresh group on its way to the University of Limerick. (The Citizen)

Ghana rolls out national AI training programme

#Ghana #education — Ghana has launched a national AI training programme aimed the public sector. The initiative targets government employees, equipping them with skills to integrate AI into service delivery and policymaking. Training covers key AI concepts such as machine learning, neural networks and the broader AI development process, and the differences between predictive AI and generative AI, and on human oversight. (TechAfrica News)

Only 21% of Nigerian women have access AI tools

#Nigeria #policy — Only 21% of women in Nigeria have access to AI technologies, highlighting a significant gender gap in digital inclusion. Experts warn that limited access could widen socio-economic disparities. Calls are growing for targeted policies and programmes to improve accessibility and participation among women. (Daily Post)

Nigerian platform tackles study disruption with AI

#Nigeria #applications — Nigerian researcher Oluwasegun Odesola has developed an AI-powered examination platform, Eroidan, designed to address power and connectivity challenges for studying and remote exams. The system enables offline functionality and adaptive assessment, ensuring continuity during disruptions. (The Guardian Nigeria)

SA university group mandates AI in some assignments

#SouthAfrica #education — Stadio, a private South African higher education institution is requiring students to use AI tools in selected assignments, signalling a shift in academic policy. The initiative aims to teach responsible AI usage and prepare graduates for AI-integrated workplaces. Faculty will guide usage and assess outputs critically, reflecting growing institutional acceptance of AI as a core academic and professional competency. (MyBroadband)

Applications

Nigeria central bank adopts AI to fight money laundering

#Nigeria #applications — The Central Bank of Nigeria is mandating Nigerian financial services companies use automated tools to strengthen anti-money laundering and financial crime compliance. Financial institutions must deploy integrated AML systems for customer risk profiling, sanctions screening and suspicious transaction monitoring.(Daba Finance)

Côte d’Ivoire launches AI public service chatbot

#CotedIvoire #applications — Côte d’Ivoire has introduced an AI-powered chatbot, Emy 101, to improve public service access. The platform provides citizens with real-time information and assistance across government services via WhatsApp and Facebook messenger (not clear why Meta’s platforms only). (TechAfrica News)

AI-drafted complaints strain SA financial ombuds

#SouthAfrica #applications #slop — South Africa’s National Financial Ombud Scheme’s offices are facing a surge in AI-generated complaints with reams (100 pages!) of non-factual information and legal references, complicating dispute resolution processes. Regulators are exploring safeguards to manage automated submissions while maintaining consumer access to redress mechanisms in the financial services sector. (EWN)

Algeria taps AI to tackle water scarcity

#Algeria #applications — Algeria has launched a technology initiative leveraging AI to address water scarcity challenges. The programme will deploy data-driven tools to optimise water management, improve distribution efficiency and support climate resilience. Government officials highlight the role of digital innovation in securing sustainable water resources amid rising environmental pressures. (WeAreTech Africa)

Policy

Rwanda unveils digital infrastructure strategy

#Rwanda #policy — Rwanda has launched a digital public infrastructure strategy to underpin AI adoption and inclusive economic growth. The framework focuses on identity systems, data exchange platforms and digital payments to enable scalable services. Authorities say the initiative will strengthen public service delivery and position Rwanda as a regional hub for innovation-driven development. (iAfrica)

Morocco joins global AI IP initiative

#Morocco #policy — Morocco has joined WIPO’s Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure Interchange (AIII) focused on integrating AI into intellectual property systems. The collaboration aims to modernise patent and copyright processes, improving efficiency and innovation protection. (Muslim Network TV)

Egypt issues responsible AI guidelines

#Egypt #policy — Egypt has published national guidelines for trustworthy and responsible AI, outlining ethical standards and governance principles. The framework addresses transparency, accountability and risk management, aiming to guide public and private sector adoption. (CADE Project)

Funding

Five countries dominate Africa AI startup funding

#Africa #funding — Five African countries captured roughly 90% of AI-related funding, underscoring a highly concentrated investment landscape (note: only disclosed funding, does not include investments in established businesses). The report highlights leading markets Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria, Tunisia and Morocco, driven by stronger ecosystems and infrastructure. The trend raises concerns about uneven development and access to AI opportunities across Africa. (Launch Base Africa)

MTN backs AI network start-up with Nvidia

#SouthAfrica #funding — MTN Group has joined a US$45-million funding round in ORAN Development Company (ODC), a US-based start-up building AI-native radio access network (RAN) technology. Nvidia, Cisco, Nokia, AT&T and Telecom Italia are also in on the deal. AI-RAN integrates AI processing and sensing capabilities within 5G base stations. ODC’s platform is built on Nvidia’s AI Aerial software stack (TechCentral)

FirstRand boosts Optasia stake in R1.5bn deal

#SouthAfrica #funding — SA banking giant FirstRand has increased its stake in AI-led fintech firm Optasia in an $87-million (R1.48 billion) deal, strengthening its position in data-driven financial services. Optasia leverages AI to deliver credit and analytics solutions. FirstRand holds 26.1% with the new 6% stake. Optasia listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in November 2025 and has opened offices in SA. (TechCentral)

Infrastructure and Data centres

Egypt plans $1 billion green hyperscale data centre

#Egypt #datacentres — Egypt is in talks with Renergy Group to develop a $1 billion hyperscale data centre in South Sinai, powered by a hydrogen facility producing up to 400,000 tonnes annually. The project targets European markets while leveraging renewable energy and seawater cooling. (Zawya)

Algeria launches 5G rollout with $492 million licences

#Algeria #5G — Algeria has awarded 5G licences worth $492 million to Mobilis, Djezzy and Ooredoo. Initial deployment spans eight provinces, with nationwide coverage required within six years to accelerate AI, IoT and cloud adoption. (Connecting Africa)

Competitions and Hackathons

Tunisia to host first African AI Olympiad in April

#Tunisia #education - Tunisia will host the inaugural African Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence in Sousse, gathering top secondary students across the continent. The competition aims to strengthen AI talent pipelines and position Tunisia as a regional hub for digital skills and science education. (Africa OAI)

Events

Morocco to host GITEX Africa 2026 in Marrakech

#Morocco #events — GITEX Africa 2026 will bring over 55,000 participants from 145 countries to Marrakech, spotlighting AI, fintech and digital infrastructure. The event underscores Morocco’s ambition to anchor Africa’s $200 billion digital economy and attract global technology investment. (The Startup Scene)

[ This newsletter was human sorted and AI filed ]

There is a sudden burst of activity across the continent by governments looking to turn the somewhat wonkish policy initiatives in late 2025 into action. Morocco, Ghana, Mozambique, Egypt, Rwanda and Kenya are all launching specific projects. Glaringly absent: South Africa’s government, still slowly chipping away at its national policy, expected to only see light of day in a year or two.

This is really quite perplexing, as while government dithers on policy, South Africa is the continent’s leader in skills and the actual implementation of AI technology by business (chatbots and AI agents rearing their ugly heads on every possible consumer-facing platform), with a robust AI technology development and services industry, and considerable infrastructure.

AfricaAINews.com takes a deep dive in Kenya’s proposed AI bill - which will set the pace for AI-specific legislation, and Zimbabwe’s national policy hitting the ground running.

This week we feature some very sophisticated applications, from AI use in central banks to radiation therapy. And a robot tour guide.

On with this week’s issue!

/Roger

Datacentres and COEs

Morocco launches JAZARI Industry X.0 institute

#Morocco #Industry4 — Morocco will established the JAZARI Industry X.0 Institute in Fez through government and university partnerships. The institute will translate AI research into industrial use, supporting targets of $10 billion in GDP impact, 50,000 jobs and 200,000 AI-trained graduates by 2030. (Middle East AI News)

Makerere University, RENU launch AI cloud platform

#Uganda #datacentre #education — Makerere University and the Research and Education Network for Uganda (RENU) have launched an AI cloud platform to accelerate research and innovation. The infrastructure will support data-intensive applications, academic collaboration and digital services. (TechAfrica News)

MTN targets SA, Nigeria for AI data centres

#Africa #datacentre #infrastructure — SA-based mobile operator MTN Group plans to build AI-enabled data centres in South Africa and Nigeria as part of its Ambition 2030 strategy, targeting rising demand for compute capacity. The telecoms operator has identified both markets for greenfield developments and is negotiating co-investment partnerships. (iAfrica)

Policy

Egypt adopts national AI governance framework

#Egypt #governance — Egypt’s National Council for Artificial Intelligence has approved a new governance framework covering trusted AI, generative AI oversight and expanded skills programmes. The initiative aims to guide responsible adoption across government while strengthening collaboration with African partners on AI development. (MCIT)

Ghana scales up AI adoption for economic growth

#Ghana #policy #applications — Ghana is accelerating AI adoption to boost productivity and economic growth, with initiatives targeting public services and industry. Government efforts focus on integrating digital technologies into development strategies, enhancing efficiency and competitiveness. (TechAfrica News)

Tshwane University of Technology joins World Bank consultation

#Africa #policy #education — Tshwane University of Technology’s Professor Anish Kurien participated in high-level consultations for the World Bank Group’s Institute for Economic Development’s (IED) World Development Report 2026. The discussions emphasised equitable access, infrastructure gaps and skills development. (TUT)

Rwanda launches digital public infrastructure strategy

#Rwanda #policy — Rwanda has unveiled a digital public infrastructure strategy designed to enhance citizen services through AI-enabled systems. The initiative focuses on interoperability, data sharing and scalable platforms, supporting efficient public service delivery. (African Review)

Kenya, EU deepen AI and digital infrastructure ties

#Kenya #policy #infrastructure — Kenya and the European Union have strengthened cooperation on AI and digital infrastructure following high-level talks at the EU–Kenya Tech Business Forum, with a focus on secure networks, data infrastructure and innovation ecosystems, alongside investment opportunities. Kenya becomes the first African country to enter a formal Digital Dialogue with the EU. (TechAfrica News)

e-Government

Mozambique launches agency to drive digital transformation

#Mozambique #e-government — Mozambique has established a new agency to lead its digital transformation agenda, including AI deployment in public services. The body will coordinate identity systems, data governance and digital infrastructure, extending the five-year Digital Governance and Economy (EDGE) project, which is designed to expand access to civil registration and ID, calling for contractors to tender for upgrades. (Biometric Update)

Applications

Bank of Namibia wins global award for AI innovation

#Namibia #applications #finance — Bank of Namibia has received the AI Initiative Award at the Central Banking Awards award recognising its use of AI to enhance financial sector oversight and innovation. It was recognised for a Non-Performing Loans (NPL) machine learning predictive analytics model, and its Regulatory Navigation Tool (RegNav), an AI-powered platform that provides instant regulatory guidance. The bank partnered with Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST)to establish the AI and Robotics Accelerator (AIRA) laboratory. (The Brief)

Kenya deploys AI radiotherapy to boost cancer care

#Kenya #applications #health — Aga Khan University Hospital has launched an AI-powered radiotherapy system to expand access to advanced cancer treatment, using Varian Medical Systems’ TrueBeam platform for sub-millimetre precision. Treatment times can be cut from 20 to under 10 minutes, with 400 patients already treated. The move addresses Africa’s widening cancer burden, with only about 30% of patients accessing radiotherapy. (Business Day Nigeria)

Burundi signs AI-driven minerals deal with KoBold

#Burundi #applications #mining — Burundi has signed a minerals exploration agreement with KoBold Metals, backed by investors including Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates. The deal leverages AI to identify mineral deposits more efficiently, potentially boosting investment and resource development in the country’s mining sector. (Business Insider Africa)

AI app helps Burundian farmers detect crop disease

#Burundi #applications #agriculture — An AI-powered mobile application is enabling farmers in Burundi to detect crop diseases early, improving yields and reducing losses. The tool uses image recognition to diagnose plant health issues, offering accessible support to smallholder farmers and demonstrating the practical benefits of digital technologies in strengthening agricultural productivity. (Africa.com)

Uganda unveils AI-powered robot tour guide

#Uganda #applications #tourism — Uganda has introduced an AI-powered robot tour guide, a first for Africa’s tourism sector. It enhances visitor engagement through interactive information services, to modernise tourism experiences and diversify and digitise its hospitality industry. South African Tourism launched a tourism chatbot covered in AfricaAINews of Jan 16th. (ATTA)

Sandi AI plans Tanzania expansion after 10,000 milestone

#Tanzania #applications — Community finance platform Sandi AI is expanding into Tanzania after surpassing 10,000 users, signalling growing demand for AI-powered solutions across Africa. The Kenyan company’s platform supports business automation and customer engagement, with regional expansion reflecting broader trends in startup-led digital adoption on the continent. (PC Tech Magazine)

Events and Hackathons

South African students head to Tunisia science festival

#SouthAfrica #events #education — South African students are set to participate in the International Festival of Engineering Science and Technology (I-FEST²) science festival in Tunisia next week, showcasing next-generation innovation including AI-related projects. (Engineering News)

(report) Morocco hackathon spotlights AI for jobs

#Morocco #events #hackathon — Morocco’s RamadanIA Hackathon in Tangier has concluded with winning projects in logistics, employment access and sign-language tools. The Ministry of Digital Transition will support top teams through incubation and partnerships to move solutions from prototype to real-world deployment. (Morocco World News)

(report) Uganda advances national emerging technologies strategy

#Uganda #events #policy — Uganda’s Ministry of ICT has engaged stakeholders to shape a national emerging technologies strategy, with AI among the focus areas. The consultations aim to align regulation, innovation and investment priorities, and are driven by Uganda’s National Information Technology Authority-Uganda and AI Uganda. (ICT Uganda)

(report) Zambia promotes AI-driven growth at ICTAZ conference

#Zambia #events #policy — Zambia showcased its AI-driven economic strategy at the ICTAZ 2026 conference, outlining plans to integrate emerging technologies into key sectors. ICTAZ is the Information and Communications Technology Association of Zambia. The country is shooting for a $60-billion economy by 2031, or doubling what it is now. (Tech Review Africa)

LLMs

Nigerian startup Veta Origin launches AI in six countries

#Nigeria #LLMs — Veta Origin has rolled out an African-focused LLM across six countries—Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa and Zambia—aiming to localise AI for regional users. Founded by Ismail Waziri, the platform supports languages including Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Swahili, addressing gaps in global models and enabling more contextually relevant digital services. (trendsnafrica.com)

Google adds Yoruba, Hausa to AI search in Nigeria

#Nigeria #applications #languages — Google has expanded its AI-powered search features in Nigeria to include Yorùbá and Hausa, enabling users to access summaries and conversational search in their native languages. The update brings the number of supported African languages to thirteen. (Leadership)

University of Cape Town joins national push for African language AI tools

#SouthAfrica #LLMs #education — Researchers from the University of Cape Town are part of a national initiative to develop AI tools for African languages, aiming to address digital exclusion. The effort focuses on speech and text technologies to improve accessibility in education, public services and communication. (UCT News)

Education

Tanzania targets growth in AI and data science skills

#Tanzania #education — Tanzania is ramping up efforts to expand its pool of AI and data science professionals, with government initiatives focused on training and capacity building. Authorities aim to align skills development with national digital priorities. Government is investing in modern facilities at the ICT College of the University of Dar es Salaam, and sending students to study abroad under the Samia Scholarship Programme. (Daily News)

Absa targets 5,000 Tanzanian women for AI skills

#Tanzania #education #skills — Absa Bank Tanzania, with Microsoft and Women in Tech Global, has launched the ElevateHer AI Programme to train 5,000 young women in AI skills. Part of a wider initiative targeting 50,000 women across Africa, the programme offers free, self-paced courses covering AI fundamentals, business applications and career development. See AfricaAINews deep dive into MS’ AI training initiatives here. (The Citizen)

[ This newsletter was human bent and AI broken ]

#Kenya #policy – Kenya’s Senate has ordered the country’s Ministry of Information, Communication and Digital Economy to draft a national AI policy, following the introduction of the Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026 to the Senate. The bill, sponsored by nominated Senator Karen Nyamu, proposes fines of up to KES 5 million (approx. $40k) and prison sentences of up to two years for the creation or distribution of harmful AI-generated content. It proposes the establishment of an independent Office of the Artificial Intelligence Commissioner to regulate and enforce the law. The Senate’s directive to the ministry covers five areas: local AI research and development, ethical guidelines, regulatory sandboxes, public-private digital skills partnerships and the integration of AI and coding into the national education curriculum.

SO WHAT? – Kenya has a High Court order from February 2026 demanding action on AI regulation, a proposed bill now before the Senate, and a ministerial directive to produce a national policy. That’s more movement than we’ve seen in the past year or so, following an unsuccessful bid to introduce an AI law in 2023. For a country that has positioned itself as East Africa’s technology hub, the absence of an AI governance framework is perhaps an increasingly visible gap, although experts are wary of overregulating a sector that remains in its infancy. The new developments do, at least, confirm increasing demand for AI regulation and the convergence of interests.

Here are some key points about the new bill and government order:

• Kenya’s Senate has directed the Ministry of Information, Communication and Digital Economy to develop a national AI policy during its fifth session on March 12th, following the introduction of the Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026 to parliament. The policy will address local AI research, ethical guidelines, regulatory sandboxes, digital skills partnerships and AI education integration.

• The Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026 was sponsored by nominated Senator Karen Nyamu in February, who introduced the legislation after manipulated AI-generated images of her circulated online. A personal experience may have helped shaped the bill’s focus on synthetic media and digital impersonation.

• The bill proposes the creation of an independent Office of the Artificial Intelligence Commissioner, headed by an appointee with at least ten years of professional experience in AI, law or ethics. The Commissioner would investigate complaints, impose penalties and manage regulatory sandboxes.

• Anyone found guilty of using AI to generate or distribute content using another person’s image, voice or likeness without consent (where that content causes misinformation, harm, defamation or privacy violations) could face fines of up to KES 5 million (approx. $40k), two years in prison, or both.

• The bill introduces a four-tier risk classification system for AI systems, modelled on emerging international frameworks including the EU AI Act. Systems are categorised as unacceptable risk, high risk, limited risk and minimal risk, with stricter obligations applied to higher-risk deployments.

• A high-risk AI systems category would cover healthcare, education, agriculture, finance, security, employment and public administration. AI systems under this category would require mandatory risk and human rights impact assessments before deployment, with records of datasets and performance metrics kept for at least five years.

• Citizens would gain the right to human review of automated decisions affecting them in areas such as employment screening, loan approvals, welfare support and insurance assessments. They would also have the right to challenge outcomes and have their views heard.

• Companies deploying AI systems would be required to clearly explain how their technology operates, disclose its purpose and limitations, and detail measures taken to address algorithmic bias. Failure to provide this information could attract fines of up to KES 1 million (approx. $7,700).

• The bill aligns with Kenya’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025–2030 and requires the regulatory framework. Meanwhile, the law would be reviewed every three years by the Cabinet Secretary, acknowledging that AI technology evolves faster than most legislation can keep pace with.

• The proposed legislation follows a High Court of Kenya order issued on 6 February 2026 in response to an urgent petition citing delays in introducing AI regulation, giving the bill additional legal and political momentum.

ZOOM OUT – The Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026 is not Kenya's first initiative to push for AI regulation. In November 2023, a petition organised by the Robotics Society of Kenya introduced the Kenya Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Society Bill to parliament, proposing a dedicated regulatory body to oversee both fields. The bill was reviewed by the National Assembly's Communications Committee in early 2024, but ran into significant opposition from technology experts, who argued it was too focused on control and could stifle innovation. A separate motion in April 2023 had urged the government to establish an AI governance framework and ethical guidelines, but produced no legislation. The Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026 therefore draws on the learnings of past proposals, debates and reviews about AI regulation.

[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]

DOWNLOADS

The Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026 (Feb-26)

1.09MB ∙ PDF file

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The Senate Order Paper - 12 March 2026

596KB ∙ PDF file

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Read more about AI in Kenya:

• Kenya AI hub to fund datasets for 50 African languages (Africa AI News)

• Kenya launches ambitious AI roadmap for digital future (Africa AI News)

• Kenya grants just 5 days for feedback on AI strategy (Africa AI News)

#Zimbabwe #AIstrategy – Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa has launched a national AI strategy covering 2026 to 2030, at an event held at the Parliament Building in Harare on Friday. First announced in 2025, the Zimbabwe National Artificial Intelligence Strategy sets out to transform the country from a resource-dependent economy into a knowledge-driven one, with AI applied across agriculture, mining, healthcare, finance and education. The government aims to position Zimbabwe as the leading hub for inclusive and sustainable AI development across Southern Africa.

SO WHAT? – For a country still building its digital foundations, the launch of the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy is an ambitious step for Zimbabwe. The strategic plan focuses on home-grown innovation with a special emphasis on sovereign AI and data. This aligns with the policies of AI leaders across the world that have prioritised owning and controlling their data infrastructure, rather than depend on foreign platforms. Competing with neighbouring South Africa, which has an economy eight times its size, Zimbabwe will face many challenges in creating a regional AI hub. However, it is also true that smaller countries can often move faster to implement national technology programmes.

Here are some key points regarding the AI strategy launch:

• Zimbabwe launched its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2026–2030, with a stated ambition to establish the country as an inclusive and sustainable bub AI for development in Southern Africa. The strategy was developed by the Ministry of Information Communication Technology Postal & Courier Services together with key stakeholders and following a number of multi-stakeholder consultations.

• Approved by the Cabinet of Ministers in October 2025, the strategy was launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday at the Parliament Building in Harare and sets out a national framework to drive economic transformation through AI, targeting sectors including agriculture, mining, healthcare, finance and education.

• The strategy rests on six pillars:

  • AI talent and capacity development;

  • National AI infrastructure and computational sovereignty;

  • AI adoption and service transformation;

  • Governance, ethics and regulation;

  • Research, development and innovation; and

  • International collaboration and diplomacy.

• A national AI and data platform, known as Project Pangolin, will provide secure, sovereign computing infrastructure and national datasets. It is designed to give Zimbabwean researchers and developers access to the computational resources needed to build local AI solutions.

• The Mugove/Umqele/Isabelo Fund, a national AI and innovation fund, will co-invest government capital alongside private investors in certified AI startups, with the goal of accelerating a domestic AI industry.

• The strategy also introduces a national AI regulatory sandbox called the Innovation Crucible, which will allow startups to test AI products under temporary regulatory flexibility. The first cohort is expected to include five to seven fintech and telecoms companies.

• A national AI literacy campaign, branded Nzwisiso.ai, aims to reach 60% of Zimbabwe’s adult population by 2030, making it one of the more ambitious public awareness targets in any African AI strategy to date.

• Meanwhile, an annual competition called the Zimbabwe AI Grand Challenge will invite innovators to develop AI solutions to pressing national problems. The first challenge focuses on food security, a critical priority for a country that has faced repeated agricultural shocks.

• The implementation of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy has been planned in three phases:

  • The Sprint - a foundation-building sprint covering the first 100 days and early 2026;

  • The Build - an 18-month build phase to deliver core infrastructure and launch key programmes; and

  • The Scale - a scaling phase running through to 2030, focused on sector-wide adoption and regional leadership.

• Governance will sit with a newly established National AI Council and an AI Strategy Implementation Office, supported by technical working groups and a monitoring and evaluation framework tracking metrics including AI literacy rates, infrastructure capacity and public trust.

ZOOM OUT – Most national AI strategies default to governance frameworks borrowed from the EU or US, anchored in Western liberal traditions of individual rights and market regulation. Zimbabwe's approach is deliberately different. Its governance pillar is anchored in Ubuntu, the Bantu philosophical tradition whose central tenet "I am because we are" places collective well-being above individual or commercial interest. It is a worldview that defines a person not in isolation but through their relationships with others, their community, their ancestors and future generations. So, the Zimbabwe’s AI Governance, Ethics and Regulatory Framework aims to mandate that AI systems should be designed to promote social cohesion, shared humanity and collective well- being.

[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]

LINK

• Zimbabwe National AI Strategy (website)

DOWNLOAD

Zimbabwe National AI Strategy 2026–2030 (March 2026) Mar 26

1.58MB ∙ PDF file

Download

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A busy news week, with a lot going on with interesting implementations of AI technologies across astronomy, banking and pathology. The three most unlikely words together in the same sentence you’ll ever see.

Our lead is a theme that has emerged over the past few months: governance. Not the squishy policy wonk “guardrails and oversight are important”, but actual push-back by civil society on African governments talking the “responsible AI talk”, but going hell for leather in the background to drop advanced technologies into their national security and policing systems.

Powerful AI technologies are part and parcel of a number of seemingly innocuous systems, allowing scrutiny to be bypassed. The UK-based Institute of Development Studies released a report that makes horrifying reading. Their main concern is that surveillance technologies developed by and for the Chinese state which deeply concerns human rights organisations is being parachuted into African countries with repressive and undemocratic governments.

What could possibly go wrong?

On with this week’s issue!

/Roger

Policy

Bombshell report: explosion of AI surveillance in Africa

#Africa #policy — Experts and rights organisations warn that expanding AI-driven surveillance across African countries threatens civil liberties and privacy. Analysts say governments are increasingly adopting facial recognition and predictive monitoring technologies slipped in the back door with (typically) Chinese camera technology, with limited regulatory oversight, raising concerns about potential misuse and the erosion of democratic freedoms. (The Guardian)

Morocco to create JAZARI Industry X.0 Institute

#Morocco #industry4 – Morocco’s Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Ministry of Digital Transition and Ministry of Economy and Finance have partnered with four universities to launch the JAZARI Industry X.0 Institute. The initiative supports the AI Made in Morocco strategy, targeting 100 billion dirhams ($10bn) in GDP impact and 50,000 AI jobs by 2030. (Middle East AI News)

Kenya bill targets AI deepfakes with fines

#Kenya #policy — Kenyan lawmakers are considering legislation that would impose fines of up to KSh5 million for the malicious use of AI to create deceptive content such as deepfake videos. The proposed law aims to curb misinformation and digital fraud while establishing clearer accountability for individuals who misuse emerging technologies online. (Eastleigh Voice)

SA professor joins UN scientific panel on AI

#SouthAfrica #policy — Professor Vukosi Marivate of the University of Pretoria has been appointed to the United Nations’ first Independent International Scientific Panel on AI, joining 40 experts selected from more than 2,600 applicants across 140 countries. The panel will provide scientific assessments to guide governments on risks, regulation and opportunities linked to the rapidly expanding technology. (News24)

Education

Morocco launches tech mentorship for women

#Morocco #education — Morocco’s Ministry of Digital Transition has partnered with Capgemini to launch a national mentorship programme supporting young women entering the technology sector. The initiative advances the Morocco Digital 2030strategy by providing internships, training and industry mentorship opportunities for female technology graduates. (Morocco World News)

Zambia pilots AI learning tools in schools

#Zambia #education — Zambia’s Ministry of Technology and Science has signed an agreement with UK firm Obrizum Group to pilot AI-powered learning tools in secondary schools and Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training institutions. The programme, launching in April this year, aims to personalise lessons, improve engagement and prepare students with digital skills for the modern workforce. (Ecofin Agency)

SMU programme champions inclusive AI

#SouthAfrica #education — A new initiative at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University is encouraging young innovators to develop AI technologies designed for inclusive social impact. By combining student research, digital skills training and community-focused projects, the programme aims to broaden participation in AI development while positioning the university as a hub for ethical technology innovation. (SMU)

LLMs

Algeria building national AI models

#Algeria #LLMS — Algeria’s Ministry of Knowledge Economy, Start-ups and Micro-enterprises is developing national AI models tailored to the country’s languages, culture and data. The initiative aims to support economic development and strengthen technological independence. (Radio Algeria)

Egypt unveils Karnak sovereign AI model

#Egypt #applications — Egypt introduced Karnak at AI Everything MEA summit last month in Cairo. Lost a little in the noise, Karnak is a 30-40B sovereign AI model designed to support Arabic language processing and local digital innovation, during a global AI summit in Cairo. Officials say the system aims to strengthen national technological independence while enabling businesses and public institutions to build services tailored to regional linguistic and cultural contexts. (Ecofin Agency)

Applications

UK–South Africa project boosts AI astronomy

#SouthAfrica #applications — Researchers from the UK’s Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Hartree Centre and the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) collaborating on the Intelligent Observatory programme, an astronomy project using AI to analyse massive datasets generated by modern telescopes. The partnership aims to accelerate discoveries by improving how astronomical observations are processed, helping scientists detect new cosmic phenomena while strengthening international research cooperation. (Innovation News Network)

ADCB Egypt adopts AI fraud monitoring

#Egypt #applications — UAE-based ADCB Egypt and Network International have launched a new AI-based system to detect fraudulent financial transactions. By analysing payment data in real time, the platform aims to help banks and merchants respond more rapidly to suspicious activity while strengthening trust in Egypt’s growing digital payments ecosystem. (Zawya)

Egypt launches national digital pathology network

#Egypt #diagnostics - Egypt’s Ministry of Health and Population has partnered with Roche Diagnostics to establish a national digital pathology network. The initiative will digitise pathology samples and deploy artificial intelligence tools to accelerate cancer diagnosis and improve accuracy across multiple medical centres nationwide. (Daily News Egypt)

e-Government

Ghanaian trade group challenges ports AI contract in court

#Ghana #policy — Traders Advocacy Group Ghana (TAGG) has launched legal action against the Ghana Revenue Authority over a disputed AI-related contract with “Truedare Investments” to implement AI in Ghana’s key port, covered in AfricaAINews in January. The company claims irregularities in the procurement process, that Truedare is a one-year-old Cyprus-registered trading company with no track record in tech or AI, and is seeking judicial review. (Modern Ghana)

Mozambique sets digital government roadmap

#Mozambique #policy — Mozambique has outlined a national roadmap for digital government during its first National Conference on Digital Transformation in Maputo. Organised by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Transformation, the event brought together government, industry, academia and development partners to coordinate reforms aimed at modernising public services and expanding citizen access to digital platforms. (iAfrica)

Malawi judiciary explores AI for justice system even as government Internet collapses

#Malawi #policy — Malawi’s judiciary is examining the role of AI in improving court administration and legal processes as digital technologies increasingly shape justice systems. Officials say emerging tools could support research, translation and case management. At the same time, over 9,000 government sites remain unconnected to the Internet. (Judiciary of Malawi)

Egypt prosecutors receive AI training support

#Egypt #education — UNESCO is working with Egyptian judicial authorities to train public prosecutors on the implications of AI technologies in legal proceedings. The programme focuses on improving skills in handling digital evidence and technology-related cases as courts increasingly encounter complex issues linked to emerging digital tools. (UNESCO)

Data Centres and COEs

Algeria launches EU-backed agritech incubator

#Algeria #agritech — Algeria’s Ministry of Knowledge Economy, Start-ups and Micro-enterprises has launched an agritech incubation and acceleration programme under the EU-backed Development of Digital and Green Entrepreneurship initiative. Implemented with Germany’s GIZ, the programme supports start-ups building AI, IoT and drone solutions for digital agriculture. (The Startup Scene)

Events

Mauritania spotlights AI at tech forum

#Mauritania #events — A technology forum in Mauritania has brought together officials, academics and entrepreneurs to discuss opportunities linked to AI and digital innovation. Participants emphasised the need for stronger training programmes, investment in infrastructure and policies supporting the growth of the country’s emerging technology sector. (AMI)

[ This newsletter was human initiated and AI perpetuated ]

Media reports allege that a 400MW data centre project proposed for Durban by a South Korean power consortium would need 25% of the city’s current power capacity. The eThekwini Municipality has since issued a statement clarifying that it has approved the exploration and feasibility work for the massive data centre, but no final decisions have been made.

In other news, Visa has found that nearly two-thirds of South African’s shop using AI; Ethiopia’s cabinet approves plans for a dedicated AI university; Kenya deploys AI to support community health workers; and Nigeria has joined a global initiative to crackdown on deepfakes. Lots more news below!

On with this week’s issue!

/Roger

Data centres

Durban data centre could use 25% of city power

#SouthAfrica #datacentres - eThekwini Municipality has approved a frame work to assess the feasibility of a 400MW AI data centre near Durban in partnership with the ‘Korea South Power Consortium’. The $3–$10 billion project could consume roughly 25% of the city’s electricity supply and will connect to the 45,000km 2Africa submarine cable system. The municipality clarified yesterday that it has not approved project any plans or financials. (Daily Maverick) (eThekwini Municipality statement)

Retail

Visa survey: 63% of South Africans shop with AI

#SouthAfrica #payments - A Visa Spending Shift Survey conducted with Morning Consult found 63% of South African consumers use AI tools for shopping tasks such as product research and customer service. While adoption is rising, 63% still prefer human support and 60% worry about data privacy in AI-driven payments. (iAfrica)

Education

Ethiopia’s cabinet approves launch of AI university

#Ethiopia #education - Ethiopia’s Cabinet has authorised the creation of an autonomous Artificial Intelligence University to train researchers and specialists. The Cabinet approved the institution’s regulations and authorised immediate operationalisation. (Birr Metrics)

Egypt to add AI and coding to technical schools

#Egypt #education - Egypt will introduce AI and coding courses into technical school curricula from the 2026–27 academic year. The initiative expands national education reforms following strong enrolment in secondary coding programmes and aims to strengthen the country’s digital workforce pipeline. (CairoScene)

Egypt embeds AI testing into leadership training

#Egypt #education - Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has directed the National Training Academy to integrate digital and AI-based testing systems into its human capital strategy. The initiative aims to strengthen institutional performance, expand leadership training and deepen international partnerships supporting Egypt’s administrative modernisation. (Ahram Online)

CoEs

Rosenberger opens AI competence centre in Tunisia

#Tunisia #CoEs Germany consultancy Rosenberger has launched a new AI Competence Centre in Tunisia to expand advanced analytics and artificial intelligence development. The facility will support solutions across telecommunications, automotive electronics and industrial technologies. (Rosenberger)

Healthcare

Kenya deploys AI to support community health workers

#Kenya #healthcare - Kenya’s Ministry of Health is partnering with Barcelona-based Causal Foundry to introduce AI tools for community health workers. The system will support health data management, clinical decision-making and primary care services, aiming to improve frontline responses where decisions often rely on delayed or incomplete information. (Eastleigh Voice)

Smart cities

Ethiopia pilots unmanned ‘smart’ police stations

#Ethiopia #digitalgov - Ethiopia has launched a pilot smart police station in Addis Ababa’s Bole district featuring digital kiosks that allow citizens to report crimes and access services without officers on site. The initiative forms part of the government’s broader effort to modernise public services through technology. (BBC)

Telecom

Algeria pushes AI governance at MWC Barcelona

#Algeria #telecom - Algeria’s Minister of Post and Telecommunications Sid Ali Zerrouki highlighted the country’s AI governance efforts during a UNDP and GSMA meeting at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. The government is expanding telecom infrastructure, preparing 5G deployment and implementing a national cybersecurity strategy. (Radio Algeria)

Policy

Nigeria joins global crackdown on deepfakes

#Nigeria #dataprotection - Nigeria’s Data Protection Commission has joined more than 60 regulators in a Global Privacy Assembly initiative targeting harmful AI-generated deepfakes. Authorities warn of privacy risks from manipulated images and videos and urge stronger safeguards, transparency and compliance as Nigeria advances its national AI strategy. (BusinessDay)

ALECSO launches AI and digital justice chair

#Tunisia #law - The Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) has launched a new Chair in Conflict Resolution and Digitalisation in Tunis examining how artificial intelligence is reshaping legal systems. The initiative will explore digital justice frameworks and policy development across the Arab world as AI technologies transform judicial processes. (ALECSO)

Competitions

Morocco expands RamadanIA hackathon programme

#Morocco #hackathons - Morocco’s Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform is expanding the nationwide RamadanIA Hackathon to accelerate sovereign AI innovation. The programme brings startups together to develop solutions for agriculture, water management, tourism and healthcare as part of the Digital Morocco 2030 strategy. (Morocco World News)

[ This newsletter was human shaken and AI stirred ]

The big news this week is the African Development Bank and UN Development Programme (UNDP) saying they would “mobilise” $10-billion for AI development over the next ten years. Ambitious: the initiative will “invest in data infrastructure, computing capacity, technology start-ups and specialised talent development.”

It is not clear what “mobilise” means, and where the money will come from. We’ll follow this closely, as this level of funding in infrastructure and engineering should be a game-changer for Africa, even as India and China start to swing new AI tech development eastwards.

The other big story is Anthropic and the Rwandan government getting even more into bed. There was very little detail on the deal; who pays what to whom, who gets access to whose data. The focus is on supporting Rwandan healthcare, on giving Claude to government devs, and expanding the joint education initiative announced last year.

Finally - AfricaAINews.com covered the tie up between the SABC (South African public broadcaster) a few weeks back, putting Microsoft’s digital literacy and AI skills training onto the SABC plus streaming platform for free. With a certificate at the end for completion.

In an exclusive deep dive we interview Tiara Pathon about the initiative, why broadcasters are becoming multimodal with interactive automated content enrichment, and workplace skills-oriented. And why AI fits this picture.

On with this week’s issue!

/Roger

Funding

African Dev Bank floats $10B AI initiative to accelerate growth

#Africa #funding #policy — The African Development Bank Group and United Nations Development Programme, alongside local partners, announced the AI 10 Billion Initiative at the Nairobi AI Forum 2026, aiming to mobilise $10 billion by 2035. The programme will support AI adoption across public and private sectors, create jobs, and build infrastructure and policy frameworks that bolster broad-based digital economy growth, they say. (African Development Bank)

e-Government

Rwanda signs AI pact with Anthropic targeting health and education

#Rwanda #policy #publicsector — Rwanda and American AI firm Anthropic signed a three-year memorandum to integrate AI across public health, education, and other government systems, marking one of Rwanda’s first major state engagements with a US-based AI developer. The agreement prioritises tailored AI solutions while fostering local tech capacity. No terms were disclosed. (AA Africa)

Ethiopia unveils new national AI platform to boost transformation

#Ethiopia #policy #digital — Ethiopia has launched a national AI platform designed to catalyse innovation across public services and economic sectors, aligning with broader digital transformation strategies such as Digital Ethiopia 2030 that prioritise inclusive access, capacity building, and AI-ready infrastructure. (TV BRICS)

Policy

South Africa to finalise national AI policy by 2027 seeking balance

#SouthAfrica #policy — The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies says South Africa will finalise its national artificial intelligence policy by 2027, aiming to strike a balance between innovation and regulatory oversight. The framework is expected to guide investment and public sector adoption. (iAfrica)

Tanzania seeks economic cooperation with Singapore, including AI tech

#Tanzania #policy #economic — Tanzania is pursuing closer economic ties with Singapore, targeting cooperation in trade, investment, artificial intelligence, and digital taxation systems. Officials highlighted opportunities to deepen bilateral investments and learn from Singapore’s digital revenue systems. (Xinhua)

BongoHive maps Zambia’s AI ecosystem

#Zambia #events — BongoHive has launched an artificial intelligence ecosystem mapping initiative to chart Zambia’s emerging innovators, institutions and enablers. The Lusaka-based technology hub convened industry stakeholders to identify gaps and collaboration opportunities, aiming to accelerate national competitiveness. The dialogue positions Zambia to coordinate talent development, research and investment more strategically. (BongoHive)

Education

Uganda introduces blockchain credentialing with ICT skills push

#Uganda #education #innovation — Uganda’s Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, in partnership with Spotlight on Africa and Algorithmic Partners, unveiled a digital certification system that secures training credentials and combats fraud. The initiative anchors an ICT hub in Mbale focused on digital literacy, AI, coding, and advanced technical skills. (TechAfrica News)

Nelson Mandela University builds AI career tool

#SouthAfrica #education — Nelson Mandela University has unveiled a homegrown artificial intelligence framework designed to bridge Africa’s career guidance divide. By aligning data insights with regional employment realities, the system seeks to empower learners with personalised pathways. Academics say the platform could strengthen school-to-work transitions and inform education policy. (Nelson Mandela University News)

Applications

Angola flying labs uses drones and ai for social impact

#Angola #applications #community — Angola Flying Labs is deploying accessible drone and AI tech to tackle community challenges like agriculture mapping and STEM education, empowering youth with skills and tools for sustainable development. The initiative is part of a broader effort to embed technology into local problem-solving and enhance innovation ecosystems. (Flying Labs)

Aga Khan Uni launches ai tool to aid early TB detection

#Tanzania #applications #health — Aga Khan University has launched an AI-enabled initiative to detect tuberculosis earlier in clinical settings, combining machine learning with diagnostic tools. The project aims to improve public health outcomes by identifying TB cases more rapidly, potentially reducing transmission and supporting health workers with data-driven insights in remote and urban clinics. (The Citizen)

Tanzania’s film industry explores AI for VFX and post-production

#Tanzania #applications #entertainment — Tanzania’s film sector is evaluating artificial intelligence to strengthen visual effects and post-production workflows, off the back of low cost new AI production tools out of China. Industry leaders say AI could shorten production timelines and expand creative capabilities. (The Citizen)

[ This newsletter was human oxidised and AI reduced ]

#SouthAfrica #education — In late January Africa AI News covered the announcement by the SABC (South Africa’s national public broadcaster) that it was making interactive AI training content available over SABC Plus, its streaming service.

We take a deeper dive into this story, with AfricaAINews.com sitting with Tiara Pathon, Microsoft Elevate AI Skills Director, South Africa. She is responsible for skilling programmes in South Africa, also driving initiatives across sub-Saharan Africa (such as the ElevateHER initiative to support African women in tech).

Background: After decades of dismal streaming offerings in various guises, the SABC launched SABC plus (also “SABC+”) in 2022. It’s done well, claiming two million registered users.

Under the new partnership, Microsoft’s training content will be embedded into SABC Plus, enabling users to complete courses, take assessments and earn digital credentials aimed at employability and workforce readiness. The initiative is part of Microsoft’s broader AI Skills Initiative, which had as its aim to train one million South Africans in AI and digital skills by 2026.

SO WHAT? – In addition to live television channels and radio streams, the SABC Plus service is positioning itself as a “gateway to opportunities” by offering educational resources and digital services alongside entertainment programming.

The most important aspect of any educational initiative is certification — will those completing modules and courses be given a piece of creamy paper with curly script headings and faux seals that they can present to a prospective employer?

This would then appear a match made in heaven, SABC Plus gets a vast trove of interactive educational and skills development content on its platform, and Microsoft gets a massive bump in the as-yet unconverted users, bringing them into its technology, and its vision for AI and the world of work. Together, they can get the national education standards frameworks to get on board (key are Ministry of Education, SAQA and NQF and the Department of Labour).

Here are some key points about the SABC Plus initiative:

• To enrol in the course, people need to register on SABC Plus, and either use the app (smartphone), Web or a smart TV device. They can work through course material, and have their learning completion tracked (quizzes, etc) directly on SABC Plus. They can use either a Microsoft or a Google sign-in.

• Once they’ve completed modules, users can move to the Ikamva Digital platform to be able to get a digital certification (these are provided by Pearson).

• The material is currently only available in English, although there are plans for coursework translation to be done by local AI tech startups, such as Lelapa AI.

• This delivery of AI education via the national broadcaster came out of an MoU with the Deptartment of Higher Education, where the Ikamva Digital skills initiative was kicked off, using an LMS/delivery platform customised for SA by MS global training partner, Philanthrosoft.

• In the initial rollout of Ikamva, Microsoft worked with GIZ (German development quango); working with ten TVETs, which the SA government wanted to extend to 50. The provided training “... complements rather than replaces existing curricula, offering current learners a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving job market.” To extend reach, alumni of TVETs can also access the five top learning pathways.

• The programme starts with two introductory pathways, AI Fluency and Digital Literacy (not assuming any learners’ digital literacy level) and then extends to the five in-demand pathways which range from cyber security to software dev to media.

• In July last year Microsoft moved from basic AI awareness training in its AI Skilling Initiative to more in-depth, work-oriented training built around a new skilling plan, and in July this year the focus will move again from skills to pathways to employment.

• MS is also working with SACE (South African Council for Educators) to scale high‑quality, accredited AI and digital skills training directly into South Africa’s educators.

• Microsoft Elevate is a newly coined group that was previously known as Microsoft Philanthropies and Microsoft Tech for Social Impact. “Elevate” possibly is a less triggering term in the current political climate.

In short? Employers locally want AI-literate workers, says Microsoft’s Pathon, just having basic computer and office app literacy is not going to cut it anymore.

ZOOM OUT – For SABC Plus to go all-in on interactive training content from Microsoft reflects a strategic transformation in the broadcasting sector itself. As audiences migrate from linear television to streaming, public broadcasters are re-imagining their platforms as multi-service digital hubs combining entertainment, education, and civic services.

For the SABC, the partnership represents a critical step in repositioning SABC Plus as more than a media distribution channel, but rather a “national digital infrastructure asset” — capable of delivering both cultural content and economic opportunity.

The integration of AI training into mainstream streaming services signals a convergence between media, education and workforce development. Technology companies benefit from scale and reach; broadcasters strengthen their relevance in the digital economy.

National broadcasters are well positioned to deliver educational and digital skills programming due to their public service mandate and broad audience reach. By integrating AI training into streaming platforms, broadcasters can offer informal, self-paced learning to populations that may lack access to traditional education or training institutions.

What makes this a little more interesting is that previous partnerships between Microsoft and national broadcasters in AI tech has been less philanthropic in nature. With the BBC, MS was building voice agents that could “increase engagement” as the Beeb struggled to stay relevant (and funded). In Japan, a local MS partner built a system to auto-subtitle local TV channels. Certainly a boon for the deaf and hard of hearing … but also for the broadcasters facing the reality that a tonne of people have the TV on, burbling in the background; glancing up occasionally to catch up with the précis of the subs. Interestingly, this project had the AI generate ten lines of subs, instead of the normal two that is preferable if a viewer is watching intently.

Automating clever new features of content that is delivered to mass consumers makes AI tech particularly attractive. Features added to broadcasters’ content like speech translation and speech interpretation for subtitles (real-time or pre-processed, potentially in many languages) sit in an AI capability sweet spot. Also, the consequences that AI systems sometimes “can make mistakes” is not dire.

Where great value lies is that this tech creates new categories of content, used to enrich its source content — at scale. AI tools in this space bring incredible efficiencies, and don’t (markedly) detract from related existing human-driven industries.

[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]

LINK

• Register on SABC+

• Register on Ikamva Digital

This week’s big news is Microsoft committing $50-billion to developing countries to build out their tech infrastructure and AI readiness.

Or is it? We’ve all been on this carousel — US megacorporation announces monstrously huge investment deals. But what do they mean exactly? Hard cash? Marketing dollars? In-kind investments? Online training programmes?

There is a lot of detail in the Microsoft blog by top MS bod Brad Smith, including that MS is on track with $8-billion annual investments in data centres (in US? Global South? Everywhere?). There is also mention of a number of programmes that already exist, which will get an investment bump, like the Masakhane African Languages Hub we covered in previous issues of AfricaAINews.com. Some old connectivity projects that have been around ten or fifteen years get a nod, like Mawingu Networks in Kenya.

Taking off the cynical journalist hat and putting aside the “new tech colonialism” boogieman, this announcement is good news for tech in Africa … investment into connectivity, digital infrastructure and skills can only be a good thing.

On with this week’s issue!

/Roger

Policy

Microsoft to invest $50 billion to broaden AI access

#Africa #funding #policy—Microsoft has committed up to $50 billion by 2030 to expand access to AI in developing economies. The strategy, announced at the India AI Impact Summit, focuses on infrastructure, skills training, language inclusion, and support for local innovators, with efforts to connect 250 million people, including 100 million in Africa to Internet and cloud services. (Dawan Africa)

Italy, India, Kenya partner on Africa development

#Africa #policy #CoEs—Italy, India, and Kenya have launched a joint initiative to support artificial intelligence development across Africa, focusing on infrastructure, training, and research collaboration. The partnership aims to strengthen local capacity, support innovation ecosystems. (Agenzia Nova)

Mozambique looks to Kenya and Rwanda to digitise public services

#Mozambique #policy — Mozambique is drawing inspiration from Kenya and Rwanda as it accelerates efforts to digitise public services using AI and digital platforms. The new initiative aims to improve efficiency, transparency, and citizen access to government services. Officials see digital transformation as critical to modernising governance and supporting economic development. (Zawya)

Data Centres and CoEs

Ethiopia launches AI UniPod for homegrown innovation

#Ethiopia #CoEs #applications—Ethiopia has inaugurated its Artificial Intelligence University Innovation Pod (AI UniPod) in Addis Ababa as a platform to strengthen local AI research, innovation, and skills development. The initiative, led by the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute with partners including Addis Ababa University and the United Nations Development Programme, aims to transition the nation from technology consumer to creator. (TechAfrica News)

Malawi launches first micro data centre

#Malawi #datacentre #applications—Malawi’s digital infrastructure has been strengthened with the deployment of its first micro data centre by Converged Technology Networks. The system enables localised data processing, improving speed, efficiency, and reliability for digital services while supporting innovation and technology adoption across sectors. (ITWeb)

Applications

DR Congo signs AI mineral mapping deal with US firm

#DRCongo #applications —The Democratic Republic of Congo has signed a five‑year agreement with (somewhat shadowy) US investment company Atlas Park to apply AI technology to geological research and mineral mapping, aiming to improve exploration accuracy and inform investment decisions. The deal was formalised at the Mining Indaba in Cape Town and is expected to modernise the country’s mineral data infrastructure. (Africa Business Insider)

Education

Morocco ministries partner with AXA Group

#Morocco #skills - Morocco’s Ministries of Industry, Higher Education and Digital Transition have partnered with AXA Group to strengthen national capabilities in AI, cybersecurity and data science. The initiative supports the Morocco AI 2030 strategy and wider digital government ambitions. (Morocco World News)

AI cheating surge hits SA universities as UNISA warns of integrity crisis]

#SouthAfrica #education — South African universities are experiencing a surge in AI-enabled cheating, with UNISA warning of a growing crisis affecting student integrity. This was echoed by Universities South Africa, a club of the smaller institutions. AI tools are enabling students to generate assignments quickly, complicating efforts to verify originality. Universities are responding by strengthening academic policies and considering new assessment frameworks. (Eyewitness News)

Events

Dubai AI Week returns in April

#UAE #DubaiAIWeek2026 — Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence, overseen by Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), has announced the second edition of Dubai AI Week, to take place from 6-9 April 2026. The four-day event focuses on six core pillars: empowering societies, governing the future, accelerating infrastructure, sustaining the planet, expanding frontiers of knowledge and reimagining health. Last year it was attended by many of Africa’s AI leaders, including national pavilions from South African and Nigerian companies.

Egypt concludes first AI Everything MEA summit

#Egypt #events #applications—Egypt has wrapped up the inaugural AI Everything Middle East & Africa (MEA) Summit at the Egypt International Exhibition Centre, drawing over 100 global investors, policymakers, and entrepreneurs. The event showcased 350+ AI companies and featured new national digital tools including large language models and AI applications across education, healthcare, and public services. (Egypt Today)

[ This newsletter was human pro’d and AI con’d ]

This week we have interesting applications stories, led by Morocco’s e-government “super app” (MiddleEastAINews does a deep dive here). The core of this announcement is that AI agents can be more useful if there is an underlying national digital infrastructure for establishing unique identity, and for performing transactions. Timelines are very ambitious, so we should see within the next year if Morocco’s AI-led e-gov ambitions succeed.

Another application that caught our eye is Ghana’s use of drones and AI tools to better regulate mining. This has always been a challenge, with mines generally being in remote areas far from oversight eyes. AI’s ability to identify anomalies and join the dots seems perfectly suited to the task.

On with this week’s issue!

/Roger

Policy

Morocco unveils Idarati X.0 digital super-app

#Morocco #DigitalGovernment - Morocco’s Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform has launched Idarati X.0, a national super-app project integrating AI, digital identity and a smart wallet. Eight agreements were signed in Rabat to deliver the platform within six months, embedding privacy and security by design. (Middle East AI News)

Ghana commits to ethical AI in defence operations

#Ghana #policy #security — Ghana’s government has pledged to adopt responsible, human-controlled AI in military and security operations, emphasising oversight, compliance with laws and human rights in the use of emerging technologies by armed forces. This marks a clear ethical position for African countries at the Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain (REAIM 2026) Summit held in Spain last week. (Business Ghana)

Cape Town researcher wins grant to study AI and jobs

#SouthAfrica #research #funding — University of Cape Town researcher Dr Tim Köhler has been awarded a global grant from Schmidt Sciences’ $3-million AI at Work research programme to investigate how generative artificial intelligence is reshaping labour markets and youth unemployment. He is among 19 international scholars selected to explore AI’s impact on work, skills and employment outcomes. (UCT News)

Mozambique sets five digital pillars to modernise state

#Mozambique #policy — Mozambique’s government has outlined five priority areas for digital transformation — including certification, interoperability platforms, digital identity, electronic payments and a citizen portal — to bring public services closer to citizens and improving access across sectors such as agriculture. (360 Mozambique)

Tunisia’s digital health transformation gets boost from Tunisia Telecom

#Tunisia #healthcare #applications — Collaboration between Tunisia’s Ministry of Health and Tunisia Telecom aims to digitalise healthcare delivery with improved Internet connectivity, telemedicine support and 100% Tunisian sovereign data centres to safeguard patient data and expand services. (Telecom Review Africa)

Funding

Tactful AI raises $1 million pre-Series A

#Egypt #funding — Egyptian-founded Tactful AI has secured $1 million in pre-Series A funding to accelerate growth of its agentic AI customer experience platform. The London and Cairo-based company targets enterprises modernising service operations across the Middle East. (Middle East AI News)

Applications

Ghana uses AI and drones to modernise mining oversight

#Ghana #applications — Ghana’s Minerals Commission has adopted drone surveillance and artificial intelligence analytics to transition mining regulation from reactive inspections to proactive, data-driven oversight. The approach enhances detection of illegal operations, environmental monitoring and enforcement efficiency. (MyJoyOnline)

Ethiopia to use AI to curb financial crime

#Ethiopia #applications — The Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute signed a partnership with the Financial Intelligence Service to develop an AI-enabled system to detect money laundering and terrorism financing. The platform will analyse financial data patterns to enhance enforcement and regulatory effectiveness. (iAfrica)

Nigerian startup fourth globally for automated spreadsheet wrangling

#Nigeria #applications — Nigerian startup Decide achieved the fourth-highest accuracy score internationally in AI-enhanced spreadsheet management tasks, as assessed by SpreadsheetBench. This new generation of tools helps spreadsheet users clean up messy data, debug formulas and navigate complex structures. Decide is hoping this new success will drive scaling of the business. (Business Post Nigeria)

Education

Rwanda, Oracle launch national digital skills drive

#Rwanda #education — Rwanda’s Ministry of Information, Communication, Technology and Innovation has signed a memorandum with Oracle to deliver nationwide digital skills training aligned with Vision 2050 and the National Digital Talent Policy. The programme spans cloud, AI and database technologies for students, educators and professionals. (TechAfrica News)

UNDP Egypt and GSMA launch AI governance drive

#Egypt #training — UNDP Egypt and GSMA have launched a high-level AI governance training programme in Cairo for regional policymakers. The initiative aims to strengthen regulatory readiness and responsible AI frameworks, supporting coordinated adoption across the Middle East and Africa. (UNDP)

Zambia’s tech ministry drives youth skills in AI and robotics

#Zambia #innovation #youth — The Zambian Ministry of Technology and Science is working with Liquid Intelligent Technologies and E-Mark Zambia to send candidates to the Nations AI for Good Youth Challenge 2025–2026, with finals in Geneva, Switzerland. Finalists will be selected in March 2026. (MOTS)

[ This newsletter was human seed and AI sawed ]