As the global race to harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) accelerates, Africa faces a unique challenge: while the continent has made significant strides in engaging with global AI governance, it remains at risk of adopting AI policies that are more symbolic than transformative. The promise of AI is immense—its potential to revolutionize sectors like healthcare, education, finance, and manufacturing is already being realized in many parts of the world. Yet, a report from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) reveals a concerning gap: over 80% of countries still lack a national AI policy, and many African nations have been historically excluded from key AI governance discussions.
In an exclusive interview with Bilel Jamoussi, Deputy Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Policy Department at ITU, we explore how African nations can move beyond symbolic AI policies and actively shape the global AI agenda.
Africa’s Path to Meaningful AI Participation
Africa’s involvement in AI governance is progressing, but there is still much to be done. The African Union’s Continental AI Strategy, launched in 2024, aims to align AI development with the continent’s broader goals, such as Agenda 2063. This strategy focuses on regulatory cohesion, infrastructure development, and skill-building for AI innovation.
However, the continent needs a dedicated body focused solely on AI governance, research, and innovation. This could help unify diverse stakeholders, harmonize policies, and prevent AI development from becoming fragmented. Institutions like Smart Africa and AI4D Africa are already driving important AI initiatives, but more targeted collaboration across governments, private sector, academia, and civil society is essential.
Avoiding Symbolic AI Policies: The Need for Implementation
For AI policies in Africa to be more than just symbolic, there must be practical and measurable steps for implementation. This requires multistakeholder engagement to ensure that AI strategies reflect local realities and needs. Africa’s unique diversity in languages, cultures, and geographic contexts must be factored into AI development and governance.
Key to this will be building institutional capacity. ITU has been helping African nations develop digital transformation strategies, create better regulatory frameworks, and foster capacity-building efforts. Establishing clear objectives, timelines, and performance indicators will ensure AI policies evolve and stay relevant to the region’s challenges.
Moreover, monitoring and accountability mechanisms are crucial. Policies need to be actionable with clearly defined milestones to assess progress regularly and ensure that Africa’s AI development is not sidelined by token gestures but delivers tangible benefits.
Ensuring Infrastructure Investments Benefit Communities
While AI development is essential, Africa faces a significant infrastructure gap that limits its potential. Africa’s physical infrastructure financing gap is approximately $170 billion per year, and its computing capacity remains underdeveloped. The ITU’s Partner2Connect Action Framework is addressing this by mobilizing investments for universal connectivity, with over $38 billion in pledges for Africa alone.
Innovative financing models, such as public-private partnerships (PPPs), regional funds, and green bonds, will be crucial to bridging the digital divide. Involving local communities in infrastructure planning and implementation will ensure that AI-related infrastructure supports not just commercial interests but also public good.
A Global Push for Affordable Connectivity
Affordable connectivity remains a major barrier to AI adoption in Africa. The UN Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development calls for affordable broadband in low- and middle-income countries, setting a target for broadband services to cost less than 2% of monthly gross national income (GNI) per capita by 2025. In 2023, a record 114 out of 188 economies met this target.
Africa must continue pushing for affordable internet services and affordable smartphones as public goods or human rights. Tax incentives for telecom operators and infrastructure-sharing initiatives are essential to reduce financial barriers to broadband expansion.
The Road Ahead for Africa’s AI Agenda
Africa stands at a crossroads in its AI journey. With a solid foundation in place through regional strategies and collaborative initiatives, the next step is to ensure that AI policies are transformative rather than symbolic. By investing in AI governance, infrastructure, and capacity-building, and by fostering a multistakeholder approach, African nations can rise to the challenge and play a significant role in the global AI landscape.