$100m Ghana-Japan agritech deal; Egypt calls for Arab AI council
Weekly News Digest ...
Good morning, and welcome to this week’s issue of Africa AI News – Weekly News Digest.
This morning’s top story is a game-changer for Ghana, with Japanese agri-fintech company Degas coming on-stage with a $100m investment pledge to help modernise its agriculture industry through a mix of micro-finance offerings and AI-led optimisations.
There is also an uptick in multi-lateral initiatives between various African countries and counterparts in other developing nations, across the Arab world and over to India, signalling a new focus on collaborations.
On with this week’s issue!
/Roger
Funding
Ghana secures $100M for AI-driven agriculture
#Ghana #funding — Japanese agri-fintech Degas will invest $100 million over four years to expand AI in Ghana’s agricultural sector, scaling satellite monitoring, precision farming and funding to help farmers boost yields, reduce risk, and access affordable finance. Already used by 86,000 small-scale farmers, the programme strengthens Ghana’s growing digital agriculture ecosystem. (Ecofin Agency)
Tunisia secures $51m loan for AI, drones in civil protection
#Tunisia #digitaltransformation– Tunisia will use a $51m loan from the French Development Agency to modernise its civil protection system with AI-powered operations rooms, drones, and robots for hazardous materials.. (Ecofin Agency)
Applications
Ethiopian trio launch multilingual AI assistant
#Ethiopia #applications — Ethiopian developers have built Ras, a multilingual AI assistant designed to overcome language barriers by supporting Amharic, Tigrinya and Afan Oromo. Built on Google’s Gemini model, Ras is fine-tuned with local slang and cultural context. Its standout feature is a story builder mini app that generates narrated, illustrated children’s books, with plans to expand into business support tools and Swahili integration. (Shega)
AI-driven scams hit South Africa property market
#SouthAfrica #applications — Estate agencies are warning of a surge in AI-enabled property fraud, with criminals using fake listings, deepfake videos and forged documents to deceive buyers and tenants. Sectional title schemes are especially targeted, with levy payments diverted through AI-forged communications. (BusinessTech)
Space42 signs Angola defence tech partnership
#Angola #applications — UAE-based Space42 has signed a five-year MoU with Angola’s Military Intelligence and Security Service (SISM) to expand satellite and AI-enabled services. The deal covers seven priority areas: Satellite Communications Technologies, Earth Observation, Artificial Intelligence, High Altitude Platforms, National Security Drones, Border Control Solutions, Command and Control Centre. (Space in Africa)
Zimbabwe app helps mothers manage pregnancy risks
#Zimbabwe #applications — A women-led initiative has launched Nyamukuta (“midwife” in Shona), an AI-powered app supporting maternal health in underserved communities. Backed by a US TechWomen Impact Grant, the tool helps mothers manage pre- and post-birth risks, with added distribution of blood pressure monitors to reduce pregnancy-related complications. (Gavi)
Policy
Egypt wants a regional Arab AI Council to unify policy
#Egypt #Arab #policy — Egypt's communications minister Dr. Amr Talaat this week proposed the formation of an Arab Council of Ministers for Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies (a.k.a. Arab AI Council) to unify regional policies and strengthen collective influence in in the global AI arena. (In-depth on MiddleEastAINews.com)
Morocco and Egypt forge AI partnership
#Africa #policy — Morocco and Egypt are strengthening cooperation in artificial intelligence, with ministers Amal El Fellah and Amr Talaat agreeing to share expertise and develop a regional partnership in emerging technologies. Talks covered Morocco’s advances in public services and Egypt’s initiative to create an Arab Ministerial Council for AI. (APA News)
Egypt and India strengthen ICT and AI ties
#Egypt #policy — Egyptian minister Amr Talaat met India’s ambassador Suresh K. Reddy to review progress on bilateral ICT projects under a memorandum of understanding. Discussions focused on artificial intelligence, offshoring, startup support, and capacity building, as well as attracting Indian investment in Egypt’s IT and electronics industry. (Tech Africa News)
Zambia introduces frameworks for safe AI use
#Zambia #policy — Zambia is rolling out new legal frameworks to ensure responsible use of artificial intelligence across sectors. Technology Minister Felix Mutati said the Cyber Crimes Act and Cyber Security Act, both passed in 2025, will protect against online threats while fostering trust, resilience and innovation. (ZNBC Today)
Accountants drive South Africa’s AI readiness check
#SouthAfrica #policy — The SA Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) has partnered with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), CSIR, the University of the Western Cape and the government to deliver the first AI Maturity Assessment Framework. Findings show progress in AI adoption remains fragmented, with seven of eight domains still at early maturity levels. (SAICA)
South Africa’s new security plan sidelines AI
#SouthAfrica #policy — South Africa’s National Security Strategy (2024–2028) barely mentions Artificial Intelligence, overlooking how the technology is reshaping defence, cybercrime, and disinformation threats. Analysts warn this blind spot leaves the nation exposed to risks from ransomware, deepfakes, foreign-controlled AI infrastructure, and autonomous weapons. Critics argue Pretoria is preparing for yesterday’s threats while adversaries adopt AI at scale. (DefenceWeb)
Egypt forms AI task force to modernise tax system
#Egypt #policy — The Egyptian Tax Authority has created a dedicated task force to integrate artificial intelligence into the national tax system, part of a wider digital transformation drive. Head Rasha Abdel Aal said the move aims to boost efficiency, improve taxpayer services, and align with Egypt’s Vision 2030 agenda, following the authority’s participation in the IEEE Computer Society AI Caravan 2025 (see last week’s story). (Daily News Egypt)
Education
Egypt to introduce AI course in high schools
#Egypt #education — Egypt will offer artificial intelligence as a formal subject for first-year secondary students from the next academic year, Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly announced. Developed with a Japanese edtech partner, the pass/fail course grants certificates recognised for AI-related work. Officials say the initiative modernises the curriculum and aims to bridge the gap between education and workforce needs. (Amwal Al Ghad)
Egypt certifies 1,300 new AI ambassadors
#Egypt #education — The National Telecommunication Institute has graduated 1,300 participants from Egypt’s AI Ambassadors Program, bringing the total certified to 2,610. Run with the Engineers for Sustainable Egypt Foundation, the programme included 36 hours of training and a month-long applied project covering AI fundamentals, ethics, data analysis and workplace integration. Graduates are equipped to apply AI skills across education, public service and private enterprise. (iAfrica)
Kenya to train 100,000 public staff in AI
#Kenya #education — Kenya has launched a project to train 100,000 public servants in artificial intelligence, starting with a first cohort of 10,000, 66% of whom are ready to begin. Backed by the Regional Centre of Competence and partners including Microsoft and UNDP, the scheme is part of Kenya’s National AI Strategy, which is supported by Ksh 152 billion in funding through 2030. (African Wireless Communications)
Ethiopians train in AI medical imaging in China
#Ethiopia #education — Twenty-four Ethiopian doctors, hospital leaders and imaging technicians are undergoing a 21-day training programme in China on advanced medical imaging and AI integration. Hosted by China’s Ministry of Commerce, the programme includes visits to hospitals in Beijing, Shanghai and Jiangsu, with experts showcasing AI applications in stroke diagnosis and standardising medical procedures. Participants see strong potential to enhance Ethiopia’s healthcare capacity. (China Daily Asia)
Events
AI drives Ethiopia’s SME credit push
#Ethiopia #applications — Over 300 leaders gathered in Addis Ababa for the third Knowledge Series, focusing on AI-powered innovations for micro and SMEs and smallholder farmers. Through the Mastercard Foundation–Kifiya Financial Technologies’ SAFEE programme, more than 358,000 women-led businesses have accessed credit, sustaining 1 million jobs and unlocking 16 billion ETB in loans. Calls were made to expand inclusive credit infrastructure nationwide. (Mastercard Foundation)
Egypt to host MENA AI summit 2026
#Egypt #events — Egypt will host the inaugural AI Everything Middle East & Africa summit in Cairo from February 10–12, 2026, bringing together experts, investors and startups from over 60 countries. Organised by GITEX GLOBAL, the three-day event will showcase practical AI applications, support sustainable development, and include an innovation hackathon to mentor young innovators and connect them with global investors. (Business Beat 24)
Experts gather in Kenya for Africa AI talks
#Kenya #events — More than 1,500 delegates attended the Africa Artificial Intelligence Conference (AIPAC 2025) in Mombasa to explore ethical AI and practical applications across the continent. Government officials, entrepreneurs, and researchers are debating how AI can boost sectors from healthcare to agriculture while addressing risks such as bias and transparency. (Xinhua)
[ This newsletter was human researched and AI drafted ]