Good morning, and welcome to this week’s issue of Africa AI News – Weekly News Digest.
Slow news week, after a number of weeks of major activity.
If there’s one theme that jumps out this week, it’s Education. AI in education, AI for education, AI by education. Almost certainly a good thing, isn’t more education always good? While AI is certainly a valuable tool in pedagogy, and a valuable skill to know how to harness, high-tech in education has been a mixed bag in terms of actual success in producing smarter, better adjusted and well prepared learners.
The challenge now will be to balance long term desirable outcomes in education with the short-term interests of private-sector tech companies, especially those with lobbying and funding clout to whom more spend on high tech is the silver bullet to everything.
On with this week’s issue!
/Roger
Policy
Smart Africa opens nominations for AI Council
#Africa #policy — Regional AI think-tank Smart Africa has called for nominations to join the newly established Africa AI Council and its Thematic Working Groups. The advisory body will shape national and regional strategies, foster investment, and guide policy across six areas, including infrastructure, talent and governance. The initiative aims to accelerate inclusive, Africa-led AI development. Apply here. (Smart Africa)
CIPESA trains Ugandan editors in AI policies
#Uganda #policy — Ugandan editors examined how artificial intelligence affects journalism and newsroom practices. Organised by the Uganda Editors Guild and WAN IFRA, with presentations by the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA), the training highlighted regulatory gaps in AI-specific laws. Existing frameworks, including the Data Protection and Privacy Act and the Copyright Act, were reviewed for their relevance to AI use. (CIPESA)
Education
Egypt, Japan’s Sprix launch AI school platform
#Egypt #education — Egypt is partnering with Japan’s Sprix to roll out an AI-powered learning platform for first-year high school students in the 2025/26 academic year. Announced at the recent annual TICAD Japan-Africa investment conference in Tokyo, the Ministry of Education said the system will support classroom screens, teacher accounts and lesson delivery. Alongside the platform, AI will also be introduced as a formal subject in secondary schools. (Egypt Today)
Rwanda trains 150 master teachers in AI
#Rwanda #education — Over 150 master teachers from every district in Rwanda have completed a four-day national training to integrate AI into schools. The Day of AI Rwanda programme, led by MIT RAISE and Day of AI with the Ministry of Education and Rwanda Education Board, will embed AI into ICT curricula, equipping students to use and critically evaluate the technology. (Day of AI)
Congo cuts exam result time from months to days
#Congo #education — The Democratic Republic of Congo has reduced national exam result processing from three months to just three days using AI and digital technology. Education Minister Raïssa Malu Dinanga announced the breakthrough, enabled by new scanning centres that increased speeds tenfold. AI automation cut marking time by up to 40%, while human oversight ensured accuracy. (iAfrica)
Nigeria publishes 20 AI research papers in 18 months
#Nigeria #research — Nigeria has gone from zero to 20 peer-reviewed AI compute research papers in under two years, driven by the Nigerian Artificial Intelligence Research Scheme (NAIRS), which anchors work in local institutions. The initiative also supports global collaboration through the AI Collective, a network of 2,000 practitioners. (TechCabal)
Algeria uses AI to streamline university placements
#Algeria #education — Algeria’s Ministry of Higher Education has applied AI to guide placements for the 2025 baccalaureate cohort. Of over 340,000 successful candidates, over 97% received placements on time, with 70% securing a top-three choices. The system matches preferences, grades and institutional capacity. Around 40,000 graduates will also be guaranteed jobs in education and healthcare. (APA News)
Egypt’s NTI partners with firms on AI skills
#Egypt #training — Egypt’s National Telecommunication Institute has signed agreements with Data Company FDSI and Digital Fortress EG to boost AI and digital skills training. (TechAfrica News)
Startups
216 Capital backs Tunisia’s Addvocate.ai
#Tunisia #funding– Venture capital firm 216 Capital has invested in Franco-Tunisian startup Addvocate.ai, which uses AI to boost sales performance. The funding will help the company evolve from sales preparation to a full sales intelligence platform, accelerating innovation and international expansion. [AfricanManager]
Events
AI Everything MEA 2026 launches in Egypt
#Egypt #events — Cairo will host the inaugural AI Everything Middle East & Africa from 10–12 February 2026, organised by GITEX GLOBAL with Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. The event will feature global tech firms including Atos, Cyshield, HPE and IBM, alongside 200 venture capitalists managing $1-trillion in assets. A youth-tech academy will also be unveiled. (CIO Africa)
[ This newsletter was human prompted and AI responded ]