Morocco drives AI industrial use, Mozambique creates new AI agency
Weekly News Digest ...
Good morning, and welcome to this week’s issue of Africa AI News – Weekly News Digest.
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 ]