Developing Ethical and Inclusive AI Governance Strategies for Africa’s Digital Future

By John Omotunde

WIthout a doubt, the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought about rapid transformation of industries and technological innovations globally. Africa is not left behind in these advancements. AI presents a transformative opportunity for African countries and also proffers innovative solutions to long-established challenges across different sectors ranging from healthcare to agriculture, education, and governance.

In Nigeria, Ubenwa is using signal processing and machine learning to improve the diagnosis of birth asphyxia in low-resource settings. Similarly, in Kenya, PlantVillage Nuru is using TensorFlow image detection technology to help farmers diagnose crop disease in the field without an internet connection. In Ethiopia, there is a growing support for GlobeDock Academy, a personalized learning platform.

While AI shows great potential for driving economic growth and improving public services, there is a need for robust governance frameworks across Africa. The reason being that the swift deployment of AI may deepen existing inequalities, threaten privacy and create multifaceted ethical challenges. Thus, this article examines succinctly the present landscape of AI governance in Africa, the key challenges and provides strategic pathways for ensuring responsible and inclusive AI development on the continent.

The Imperative for AI Governance in Africa

Considering the extent to which AI technologies are integrated into our daily lives, it has become increasingly paramount to create AI governance in Africa. The lack of a regulatory framework for AI governance could lead to surveillance abuses, privacy violations, algorithmic bias, and exclusionary systems.

Hence, establishing comprehensive AI governance frameworks is essential to ensure the ethical use of AI, protect human rights, and promote inclusive development. Effective governance frameworks should not only mitigate risks but also create conditions where AI innovation aligns with public interest.

Current Landscape of AI Governance in Africa

At the moment, African countries are at different stages of developing national AI governance frameworks. In order not to lose out of the global AI-competitiveness, the African Union (AU) has taken a leadership role by endorsing the Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy (CAIS). This took place at its 45th Ordinary Session of the Union held in Accra, Ghana in July 2024.

Apart from underscoring Africa’s commitment to an Afrocentric development-focused strategy to AI, it seeks to advance ethical, inclusive, and responsible AI practices. Therefore, making AI a significant asset towards achieving the aspirations of Agenda 2063, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the AU’s vision for a prosperous and integrated Africa.

While many African countries lack specific legislation for AI, many have data protection legislation that addresses AI’s automated decision making. In recent years, there have been remarkable developments towards AI governance in Africa. For instance, Mauritius presently has a partial legislation that regulates AI. Rwanda now stands out as having established a national AI policy that focuses on harnessing the benefits of AI and mitigating its risks towards sustainable and inclusive growth in the country. Similarly, Morocco has proposed legislation, which is currently being considered by its parliament to create a National Agency for Artificial Intelligence, with a mandate to regulate AI systems and foster international cooperation.

Key Challenges to AI Governance in Africa

There are several barriers hinder the development of effective AI governance in Africa, includig:

1. Data Protection and Privacy

As of July 2024, 36 out of 54 African countries have enacted a form of data protection legislation. However, many of these frameworks do not address the complex realities of AI. Issues such as data quality, consent, algorithmic transparency, and cross-border data flows remain insufficiently regulated.

2. Ethical and Cultural Alignment

Almost all AI technologies used in Africa are developed elsewhere, often with little consideration for local cultural values and social norms. Without adaptation, such technologies risk reinforcing harmful biases or marginalizing communities. Hence, Africa needs governance frameworks that ensure that AI systems uphold human dignity and reflect the continent’s rich cultural diversity.

3. Capacity and Infrastructure Gaps

Limited technical expertise and underdeveloped digital infrastructure pose significant obstacles. In the absence of strong local capacity, African countries may become overly reliant on foreign technologies and governance models which are not well suited to African contexts.

4. Limited Global Influence

AI is a global technology, and international standards are continuously evolving. This means that Africa’s relatively limited role in shaping these standards can lead to outcomes that do not align with the continent’s priorities. Thus, active participation in global discussions is essential to ensure that Africa’s voice is heard and its needs are addressed.

Strategic Pathways for Effective AI Governance

To address these challenges, African governments and stakeholders can consider the following pathways:

1. Develop Context-Specific Governance Standards

AI frameworks must be tailored to Africa’s unique socio-economic and cultural environments. While the continent can draw lessons from universal principles such as fairness, accountability, and transparency, they also need to reflect the specific needs and aspirations of Africans.

2. Strengthen Data Governance

Comprehensive data protection legislations that address AI-specific issues, such as data sovereignty, ethical data use, privacy rights, and mechanisms for public oversight are important. Strong data governance is the foundation for responsible and trustworthy AI.

3. Invest in Capacity Building

Education and training programs should equip citizens, policymakers, and professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to develop, regulate, and use AI responsibly. Institutions such as the African Center of Excellence in Energy and Sustainable Development demonstrate how regional initiatives can help build technical capacity.

4. Promote Regional and International Cooperation

African countries will most likely benefit from harmonizing regulations and sharing knowledge through regional platforms. Partnerships with international organizations and global institutions can help ensure that African perspectives are reflected in emerging global norms.

5. Raise Public Awareness and Foster Inclusivity

Effective AI governance requires public understanding and engagement. Policymaking processes should be inclusive. National governments should involve civil society, academia, industry, and marginalized communities. Transparency and dialogue will increase trust and ensure policies reflect a wide range of interests.

Conclusion

Africa stands at a critical juncture in the age of AI. By putting the right governance structures in place, AI can become a powerful tool for sustainable development, social justice, and economic transformation. This is achievable where there are proactive investments in local capacity, culturally informed policy designs, and meaningful participation in international debates.

By taking deliberate and inclusive steps toward responsible AI governance, African nations can shape a digital future that empowers all citizens. While the challenges are complex, the opportunities are greater. Now is the time to act.

Omotunde is a member of the Managing Board of the Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law, where he focuses on important issues at the intersection of international law, data privacy, AI governance, technology, and global policy.