Smart Africa forms Africa AI Council to strengthen digital economy
Smart Africa’s initiative to foster AI-driven transformation
#Africa #AfricaAICouncil – Smart Africa, a coalition of 40 nations representing over one billion people, has announced the formation of the Africa AI Council. The news was shared at the High-level meeting on Artificial Intelligence for Africa held in Rabat, Morocco this week. The Council aims to accelerate Africa’s role in the global AI economy by fostering innovation, digital transformation, and workforce development. Industry projections estimate that AI could add up to US$30 billion to Sub-Saharan Africa’s economy by 2030.
SO WHAT? – The establishment of the Africa AI Council could be a critical step towards ensuring Africa remains competitive in the AI-driven global economy. This initiative follows the launch of a Continental Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy by the African Union last June. With the continent’s rapidly growing young workforce, AI adoption could enhance productivity, drive innovation, and create employment opportunities. By guiding AI policies and governance, the new Council aims to foster inclusive growth, positioning Africa as a key player in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Here are some key points about the Africa AI Council initiative:
Smart Africa, a coalition of 40 African nations, has launched the Africa AI Council to guide AI strategy and development across the continent. The announcement was made during the High-level meeting on Artificial Intelligence for Africa held on February 4th in Rabat, Morocco.
The Africa AI Council’s first 15-members will be formally announced at the upcoming Global AI Summit on Africa, hosted by Rwanda’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) and Rwanda’s Ministry of ICT and Innovation, in partnership with the World Economic Forum.
The Council includes government representatives, private sector leaders, AI experts, and academics, ensuring a broad and inclusive approach.
The Council will collaborate with national and continental initiatives to build AI governance frameworks, enhance skills training, and support AI-driven industries.
AI is projected to contribute up to $30 billion to Sub-Saharan Africa’s economy by 2030.
Africa is home to the world’s youngest and fastest-growing workforce, making AI a key driver for productivity and innovation.
Qhala, a social impact assessment consultancy, has secured start-up funding from the Gates Foundation to develop the Council’s operational strategies.
The consultancy is working on an AI governance toolkit, an AI talent readiness index, and a framework for a Pan-African AI Research Centre to support the Council’s objectives.
The initiative aligns with Africa’s broader digital transformation strategy, leveraging AI to drive economic growth, competitiveness, and social impact.
ZOOM OUT – There is a growing need to coordinate and integrate Africa’s AI plans to bring together the fast growing pool of tech talent, the new data centre capacity which is currently being built and the various strengths of different countries across the continent. The African Union’s Continental AI Strategy and African Digital Compact recognises the importance of Africa's digital journey, in addition to the individual progress of different states. Formed by African Heads of State and Government, Smart Africa is a tech-focused initiative that aims to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development on the continent.
Read more about continental African AI strategy:
African Ministers endorse joint continental AI strategy (Middle East AI News)