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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword in Africa’s tech ecosystem—it is a fast-moving force poised to reshape economies, politics, and society. But as adoption accelerates, so does the urgent need for rules.
Across the continent, new AI policy labs and task forces are emerging to answer a critical question: how should Africa govern AI?
Techtodayafrica reports that in 2024, Kenya launched its National Artificial Intelligence Policy Taskforce to develop frameworks on AI ethics, data use, and innovation.
Nigeria’s National Centre for AI and Robotics (NCAIR) has been convening stakeholders around AI governance, while South Africa’s Presidential Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution incorporated AI regulation into its recommendations.
Egypt and Rwanda are also establishing working groups focused on AI ethics and fostering local innovation.
These labs and think tanks serve as advisors to governments while acting as bridges between the fast-moving tech ecosystem and slower policy processes.
They face the delicate task of balancing citizen protection—against threats such as deepfakes, surveillance, and algorithmic bias—with creating a regulatory environment that does not stifle startups innovating in health, agriculture, or fintech.
Challenges remain significant. Many labs are donor-dependent, funding is limited, and coordination across initiatives is weak. Meanwhile, global powers like the EU, US, and China are already shaping AI norms, meaning Africa must act quickly or risk becoming a “rule taker” rather than a “rule maker.”
Despite these hurdles, momentum is growing. In July 2025, the African Union’s AI Working Group announced plans to publish a draft Continental AI Strategy, drawing input from policy labs in Ethiopia, Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia.
If adopted, the strategy could give Africa a unified stance on responsible AI development, cross-border data regulations, and investment incentives.
The coming years will determine whether Africa remains a passive consumer of imported AI technologies or emerges as a global leader shaping AI ethics and governance.
The continent’s policy labs may well decide that future.
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