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Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet, Oliver Kalabo, has hailed Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a game-changing tool that could transform how African Union (AU) member states track progress, evaluate policies, and deliver development results.
Speaking at the opening of the 5th Annual African Union Workshop on Agenda 2063 Monitoring and Reporting in Lusaka on Tuesday, Kalabo said AI would significantly boost the quality, accuracy, and speed of data used in both national and continental planning.
“Artificial intelligence is not merely a technological trend—it is a transformative tool that can revolutionize how we collect, process, and use data for policy and development planning,” he stated.
The five-day workshop, running from July 28 to August 1, was hosted by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF).
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This is according to a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday.
It brought together AU member states, data experts, and members of the Agenda 2063 Technical Working Group to strengthen capacity in using AI to track implementation of the Second Ten-Year Plan of Agenda 2063.
Kalabo said outdated, fragmented, and manual reporting systems have long hindered effective evaluation of Africa’s development journey.
He welcomed AI integration as a timely fix, especially as countries prepare for biannual progress reviews.
He urged participants to embrace innovation and partnership, stressing that the continent’s future depends on how well it leverages technology to drive smarter and more transparent development tracking.
AUC Director of Strategic Planning and Delivery, Botho Kebabonye Bayendi, said the training aligned with the AU’s 2024 AI Strategy and broader Digital Transformation goals.
She underscored the role of AI in enabling real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and inclusive data systems that reflect diverse African realities.
ACBF representative, Edem Messa-Gavo, noted the Lusaka event follows previous workshops held in Abidjan, Libreville, Abuja, and Dakar, all aimed at helping member states improve results-based reporting and overcome persistent monitoring challenges.
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