Smart Africa Endorses Africa AI Council

The Smart Africa Alliance has taken a monumental step in shaping the future of AI on the continent by endorsing the establishment of the Africa Artificial Intelligence Council during its 20th Steering Committee Meeting in Kigali, Rwanda. This decision marks a critical milestone in Africa’s digital transformation journey, reinforcing the continent’s commitment to AI governance, infrastructure, and innovation.

The newly endorsed Africa Artificial Intelligence Council will spearhead continental coordination across AI computing infrastructure, data infrastructure development, skills enhancement, market use cases, and governance policies. The Council aims to position Africa as a leader in AI development and adoption, ensuring that AI solutions are tailored to the continent’s unique needs.

The Smart Africa Secretariat has been tasked with consulting Member States and presenting a comprehensive operationalization plan at the Transform Africa Summit 2025. This initiative underscores Africa’s determination to harness AI’s potential to drive innovation, economic growth, and social development.

The Steering Committee also reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing digital inclusion through the Africa Bulk Purchase Marketplace (BPMP) Initiative. This initiative aims to deliver affordable connectivity to schools and healthcare facilities by leveraging the power of collective purchasing.

In collaboration with GIGA (UNICEF & ITU), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, and Africa CDC, Smart Africa will aggregate demand across Member States, effectively reducing costs, accelerating infrastructure rollout, and closing long-standing digital access gaps. Smart Africa will work closely with its strategic partners to ensure widespread implementation across African regional blocs.

The Steering Committee acknowledged the progress of the African Network of Cybersecurity Authorities (ANCA) and endorsed its newly developed five-year strategic plan. ANCA plays a crucial role in harmonizing cybersecurity policies across the continent, fostering digital trust, and mitigating cyber threats in Africa’s rapidly expanding digital economy.

Recognizing the need for enhanced cross-border digital health collaboration, the Steering Committee approved the soft launch of the Africa Digital Health Leadership Network (ADHLN). This strategic initiative will ensure policy alignment and facilitate the implementation of the Digital Health Blueprint, paving the way for a Single Digital Health Market in Africa.

The official launch of the ADHLN and the Digital Health Blueprint is scheduled to take place at the Transform Africa Summit 2025 in Kigali this July, under the leadership of the Smart Africa Board of Heads of State and Government.

Following the meeting, Smart Africa CEO Lacina Koné remarked, “The establishment of the Africa AI Council is a defining moment for the continent’s digital future. These decisions reflect our collective ambition to build an inclusive and resilient digital Africa. From AI governance to digital health and cybersecurity, the resolutions adopted today mark a bold step forward in positioning Africa as a global digital powerhouse.”

With the launch of the Africa Artificial Intelligence Council, the Smart Africa Alliance continues to lead the charge in ensuring Africa remains competitive in the evolving global digital landscape.