Mauritius has AI strategy; Zambia digitises 12 million AI-ready healthcare records
Weekly News Digest...
Good morning, and welcome to this week’s issue of Africa AI News – Weekly News Digest.
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 ]