AI takes hold within government; Cote d'Ivoire's new $800M tech fund
Africa AI News weekly digest...
Good morning, and welcome to this week’s issue of Africa AI News – Weekly News Digest.
Developments across the continent … especially in AI use in government. So while the dust has settled a little on the national policy side, there is a great deal of movement in actually using AI by governments themselves. What is good to hear is the level of attention being paid to ethics, safety and being aware of unintended consequences by government, even as the bigger AI firms push to be able to do what the want, how they want in developed markets (qv Facebook in Australia).
Cote d’Ivoire pops up again with another gigantic fund announced - $550 million earlier this year from the US, now $800 million from government ($178 million) and the private sector (as yet not secured). Ambitious, considering the relative size of the economy to Africa’s biggest markets.
On with this week’s issue!
/Roger
Policy
The Lusaka Declaration sets bold agenda
#Africa #policy — The Lusaka Declaration, launched at the Africa Digital Parliamentary Summit, sets a bold policy agenda for AI governance, data protection, and digital health. Lawmakers pledged to align new laws with AU Agenda 2063, address regulatory fragmentation, and unlock Africa’s $6.5B digital health economy by 2030. (Tech Africa News)
AI fatwas challenge Egypt’s religious institutions
#Egypt #policy #fatwas — Egyptians frustrated by conflicting religious rulings are turning to AI for fatwas, sparking backlash from Al-Azhar University and Dar al-Ifta. Critics say the trend exposes institutional resistance to reform, while younger users favour AI’s speed, consistency and access to diverse interpretations. (The Arab Weekly)
Katiba Institute targets AI abuse and digital surveillance
#Kenya #policy #governance — Kenya’s Katiba Institute has launched a 2025–29 strategic plan aimed at challenging weak AI regulation, mass surveillance, and misuse of personal data. The initiative will tackle digital rights violations, misinformation, and invasive state monitoring, pushing for stronger legal frameworks and data safeguards. (The Star)
MTN launches responsible AI strategy to drive African tech leadership
#Africa #policy #ethics — MTN Group has unveiled a continent-wide Responsible AI Strategy, aiming to embed ethical, scalable and impact-driven AI across operations. Backed by an AI Centre of Excellence and over 300 engineers, the plan targets productivity gains, improved customer experience and energy efficiency. (Africa Businss Communities)
ACTS launches AI institute to boost responsible innovation
#Africa #policy #ethics — The African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) has launched an AI Institute to advance responsible innovation and policy development across Africa. Backed by €500.5 million from the EU, it will support AI strategies aligned with the African Union’s Continental AI Strategy and focus on gender inclusion, skills development and sector innovation. (Science Africa)
EU and Mozambique deepen digital strategy ties
#Mozambique #policy — Mozambique hosted a high-level European Union delegation in Maputo to advance bilateral digital cooperation, backed by the €300 billion Global Gateway initiative. A Mozambican delegation led by the Minister of Communications and Digital Transformation, Américo Muchanga, also participated in the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) and the AI for Good Global Summit 2025 in Geneva last week. (360Mozambique)
Luanda forum to explore AI in public sector
#Angola #policy #publicsector — Luanda hosted the National Artificial Intelligence Forum (FNIA25) this week, focusing on digital transition in public services and the impact of generative AI on business. Topics included ethics, regulation, and tech integration. (Africa-Press)
Ghana ramps up AI skills in public sector
#Ghana #policy #government — Designated officials from key ministries joined a hybrid AI training session in Accra to build foundational competencies. The training is part of a broader effort to prepare government leaders for a national AI strategy push. (TechAfrica News)
Funding
Côte d’Ivoire launches ambitious $800 million tech fund
#CotedIvoire #funding – Côte d’Ivoire has announced a 450 billion CFA franc ($800M) innovation fund to boost tech startups and digital sovereignty. Unveiled at the Ivoire Tech Forum 2025, the fund combines public seed capital with private investment and aims to transform the nation into a regional digital leader. (Southern African Times)
Founders reacquire Egyptian CX startup
#Egypt #funding — Egypt’s Tactful AI has entered a new growth phase following its reacquisition by founders Mohamed El-Masry and Mohammed Hassan. With over $5 million invested in its AI platform, the CX-focused startup is now targeting expansion in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Europe. (Zawya)
$2M prize targets AI-led manufacturing in Africa
#Africa #funding #manufacturing — The Milken Institute and SA billionaire Patrice Motsepe have launched a $2 million equity-free prize to boost AI-driven manufacturing in Africa. The initiative aims to strengthen supply chains and industrial jobs, with applications open globally until 31 July 2025. (Africa-Press)
Digital Government
Côte d’Ivoire signs G42 partnership to modernise public services
#CotedIvoire #digitalgovernment – Côte d’Ivoire has signed two MoUs with Presight (part of the UAE’s G42 Group) to advance AI-driven public sector reform and draft a new national digital strategy. The partnership builds on the success of its expiring digital plan, which delivered 5,200km of fibre and national cybersecurity infrastructure (We Are Tech)
Morocco to build AI model for public service access
#Morocco #digitalgovernment – Morocco will develop a national AI model to simplify access to government services and manage citizen complaints via chatbots. The initiative is part of a broader digital strategy, which includes new legislation and training programmes for youth and civil servants. (Morocco World News)
South Africa spends R484 million on AI and blockchain for gov
#SouthAfrica #digitalgovernment – South Africa has invested R484 million ($27.15m) over four years to build public-sector digital capabilities in AI, blockchain, and related technologies. The Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research (CAIR), spanning nine universities, leads the effort, with projects in machine learning, cybersecurity, and AI ethics. (MyBroadband)
Applications
Jumia, Intella roll out Arabic voice shopping
#Egypt #applications #onlineshopping – Jumia Egypt and AI startup Intella have launched the first Arabic voice-enabled e-commerce service using Egyptian dialect. Powered by Ziila, the system lets users shop via natural speech, expanding access for those who prefer voice over traditional interfaces. (Middle East AI News)
AI is learning to speak more African languages
#Nigeria #applications #language – From Lagos hospitals to Nollywood studios, more startups are building AI that understands local languages and accents. Intron Health’s voice AI cuts reporting times by 99.3%, while Spitch AI’s APIs now support Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo and Amharic. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Awarri is developing a government-backed LLM in five low-resource languages. (TechCabal)
AI app transforms livestock into bankable assets for African women
#Kenya #applications #fintech - Neotex.ai RDC’s Halisi Livestock app uses AI-powered facial recognition to verify cattle ownership, helping thousands of African women farmers access loans. Supported by the African Development Bank’s AFAWA programme, it has registered over 1,250 animals, turning livestock into verifiable financial assets. (African Development Bank)
Tanzanian innovators use AI for climate resilience
#Tanzania #applications #climate – With 65% of Tanzanians relying on agriculture, shifting weather patterns are putting livelihoods at risk. Innovators like Essa Mohamedali and grassroots AI communities are now deploying AI to bridge rural data gaps, helping smallholder farmers make informed decisions. AI models leverage local weather and soil data to improve crop outcomes and build resilience in a changing climate. (Climate-KIC)
Education
Algeria, South Africa deepen academic alliance
#Algeria #SouthAfrica #R&D — Algerian education minister Kamel Baddari and South Africa’s minister of science Blade Nzimande have signed a 2026–2028 roadmap to drive joint research, AI innovation and academic exchange. The agreement aims to position both countries as leaders in Africa’s scientific transformation, with a strong focus on nanoscience, AI and higher education mobility. (Dzair Tube)
Ethiopian AI institute expands youth camp to 300 students
#Ethiopia #education — The Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute has launched its 2025 AI Summer Camp, growing from 20 to 300 students selected from 3,000 applicants. The programme offers training in AI, robotics, and machine learning to develop the next generation of innovators and boost Ethiopia’s global tech presence. (ENA)
CoEs
Morocco to roll out nationwide AI CoE network
#Morocco #CoEs – Morocco will expand the Al Jazari Institute across all twelve regions to drive digital transformation through AI. Backed by the Digital 2030 Strategy, the centres will focus on applied research and local innovation in sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and renewable energy. (Middle East AI News)
Hackathons
Tanzania launches first national AI hackathon
#Tanzania #hackathons — Tanzania will host its first AI Hackathon on 28–29 July during the inaugural Tanzania Artificial Intelligence Forum. Led by the ICT Commission, the event aims to showcase youth-led innovations and build local digital skills. (The BizLENS)
[ This newsletter was human dribbled and AI scored]