Pushback on Africa's AI strategies; AI finds next SA soccer stars
Africa AI News weekly digest...
Good morning, and welcome to this week’s issue of Africa AI News – Weekly News Digest.
There’s been quite a lot going on in the past week, both in new applications, initiatives and projects … and a rising tide of critical voices saying that the many national AI policies rushed out by governments towards the tail end of last year are lightweight and lack the bones for real world execution.
On that note, AfricaAINews.com attended one of Africa’s largest industrial automation fairs, AATF, this week to see if there were interesting showcases for AI in this space, where AI and machine learning have huge application. The answer at this show (full of very serious technical people who have no time for hallucinations) was yes, but no. Plenty of use of ML, which has been central to industrial control systems for decades; but not a hint of Generative AI, chatbots or the tech that has gripped the imagination of the world for the past few years.
Our view? Being used in hard-nosed applications in the mid and heavy industry sectors is the bellwether of a technology’s reliability and dependability. More work to be done!
On with this week’s issue!
/Roger
Policy
AI testing vital to avoid bias in Africa
#Africa #testing — Africa’s growing use of AI demands robust testing frameworks. Without stress, bias and explainability checks, these systems risk misinterpreting data and reinforcing discrimination in public services and private sector decisions. So says Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, the Rector of the United Nations University and UN Under-Secretary-General. (Forbes Africa)
Ghana advances AI policy with multi-stakeholder consultations
#Ghana #strategy— Ghana is progressing its National AI Strategy through consultations with stakeholders from government, academia and the tech sector. The initiative is being led by Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology’s (KNUST) Responsible AI Lab. (MyJoyOnline)
Morocco and Ethiopia strengthen AI, cybersecurity ties
#Morocco #cybersecurity — The Royal Moroccan Armed Forces delegation explored AI and cybersecurity initiatives at Ethiopia’s AI Institute and INSA. The visit aimed to foster greater collaboration in national security and tech innovation. The Moroccan delegation also met with the Chief of General Staff of Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), Field Martial Berhanu Jula. (FANA MC)
Morocco doubles down on cybersecurity and AI readiness
#Morocco #cybersecurity — Morocco has launched a nationwide cybersecurity strategy, featuring upgraded intrusion prevention systems, regular testing, and staff training. The effort supports Morocco’s broader digital transformation and AI readiness, with new protocols in place to detect and respond to cyber threats more efficiently. (MSN)
New analysis: Kenya’s AI policies and laws need work
#Kenya #law — Analysis by global legal firm White & Case published last week outlines the strides Kenya has already taken in its AI policy, regulation and legal system, but notes key weaknesses, and overlaps and conflicts with existing legislation, and no current laws or regulations that specifically address AI. (JDSupra)
“Kenya’s AI strategy: A glossy distraction from the present”
#Kenya #strategy — Related: another analysis of the Kenyan National AI Strategy gives it a blistering takedown as being academic and lacking a vision and execution plan. So says Kennedy Kamande Wangari, a Data Scientist at UNEP and an AI and climate policy strategist. (People Daily)
Ghana joins EU’s Committee on Artificial Intelligence
#Ghana #diplomacy — On 30 April, the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers welcomed Ghana as an observer in the Committee on Artificial Intelligence (CAI), making it the second African State to join the CAI. (Council of Europe)
Kenya and Germany expand AI and digital ties
#Kenya #Germany #diplomacy — Kenya and Germany are strengthening collaboration on AI, tech regulation, and outsourcing ahead of the Connected Africa Summit 2025 in Nairobi 26-28 May. Germany has supported Kenya’s new AI strategy and plans further digital dialogues. (TechAfrica News)
Education
Morocco and Ericsson partner to enhance digital skills for entrepreneurs
#Morocco #training — Morocco’s government and Ericsson have signed an MoU to help entrepreneurs gain digital expertise. The collaboration will leverage Ericsson’s Educate platform to train in fields like AI, 5G, and IoT. (WeAreTech Africa)
Zibuza, youth@work offer AI training internships
#SouthAfrica #jobs — Graduates can now apply for a paid internship with teaching NGO, Zibuza, and youth employment NGO, youth@work, to support AI education in schools. The programme, backed by Microsoft’s AI Fluency Training, runs from June 2025 to May 2026. (ITWeb Africa)
Kenya targets Dubai AI jobs for graduates
#Kenya #jobs — Kenya’s government is pursuing AI and data science job opportunities in Dubai for local graduates. Plans include formal partnerships with Destino Dubai and the European Business Institute to streamline recruitment and training. (TechAfrica News)
Applications
WHO uses AI to predict cholera in Africa
#Africa #health — The WHO is expanding its AI-powered disease surveillance system across Africa. Initially piloted in the DRC, the tool uses machine learning to forecast cholera outbreaks and now operates in Mozambique, with further rollouts planned. (ITWeb Africa)
AI scouts talent in South Africa’s football development league
#SouthAfrica #sports — Swiss firm Talnets has partnered with the Gauteng provincial football association’s Gauteng Development League to use AI in scouting young football talent. After a successful trial with top youth teams, the system now analyses 60+ data points per match to spotlight rising stars. (Forbes Africa)
AI cameras and good old SMS alerts African farmers to pests
#Kenya #agriculture — New agri startup and winner of the Cisco Youth Leadership Award, Farmer Lifeline Technologies, uses AI-powered cameras and SMS to help smallholder farmers detect pests early. The service claims to have improved yields by over 36% for three quarters of users. SMS gives people without smartphones access to the tech. (Global Citizen)
Competitions
ATU Africa Innovation Challenge winners crowned for AI innovation
#Kenya #startups — Innovators from five African countries won top honours at the African Telecoms Union’s Innovation Challenge in Nairobi, which celebrated AI-powered solutions for education, farming, health and fintech. The event was backed by Huawei, the ATU and the ITU. (Telecom Review)
Fresh AI (Sierra Leone): Detects food spoilage to reduce waste.
Tausi Africa (Tanzania): AI credit scoring for underserved borrowers.
Farmer Lifeline (Kenya): Tracks farm emissions for sustainability.
MedPack (Tanzania): App streamlining medicine procurement.
PowerBox (Nigeria): AI battery for off-grid energy.
Media
This week’s top AI generated fake news
#Africa #media #fakenews — There were a couple of high-profile AI-generated fake news items that did the rounds recently. AfricaAINews.com brings you its favourites:
Nigerian influencer Aproko Doctor has developed a product that cures hypertension, and it saved the life of actor Taiwo Ajai-Lycett. Except it’s an AI generated fake. (Africa Check)
No, Kenyan president William Ruto did not get a massive ticker-tape street parade with cast of ten thousands when he arrived in China for a state visit at the end of April. (Africa Check)
An AI-generated song and music video was used to falsely claim an Ethiopian pop star with political messages, Teddy Afro, attacked the country's prime minister. (AFP fact check)
[ This newsletter was human humaned and AI aied]