Kigali, Rwanda — At the Global AI Summit in Kigali, African nations unveiled a bold new declaration aimed at shaping the future of artificial intelligence (AI) on the continent.
The Africa Declaration on Artificial Intelligence outlines a shared commitment to align national strategies with broader continental goals, protect data sovereignty, build digital infrastructure, and foster sustainable AI innovation.
The Declaration was a cumulative effort of 50 plus countries facilitated by Qhala, Smart Africa and Rwanda’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution [C4IR]
The initiative was launched with the support of the Gates Foundation.
Key Details
- 54 signatories, including the African Union, endorsed the Declaration.
- A $60 billion Africa AI Fund was announced to drive future innovation and infrastructure development.
- The Declaration marks the establishment of the Africa AI Council, which will oversee AI governance and policy across the continent.
- Over 20 African leaders were present, underscoring the importance of AI for Africa’s future.
- African leaders included President Paul Kagame and Faure Gnassingbé, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson, African Union Commission, H.E. Ms. Lerato Mataboge, Commissioner of Infrastructure and Energy, African Union Commission as well as ICT Ministers Paula Ingabire (Rwanda), Cina Lawson (Togo), Samuel George Nartey (Ghana), Bosun Tijani (Nigeria) and Ibrahim Kalil Konaté (Côte d’Ivoire).
What’s at stake
- The Council will focus on AI strategies addressing key sectors such as health, education, and agriculture.
- The goal is to position Africa as a global leader in AI while ensuring the technology aligns with the continent’s unique development priorities.
- The Council’s roadmap will be revealed at the Transform Africa Summit in 2025.
Notable Quotes
- Shikoh Gitau, CEO of Qhala: “The launch of the Africa Declaration of Artificial Intelligence marks a milestone in shaping Africa’s AI governance. This is a pivotal moment for Africa’s AI ecosystem and will be a catalyst for growth.”
- H.E. Lerato D. Mataboge, AUC Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy: “AI can accelerate Agenda 2063, create new industries, and tackle urgent challenges like healthcare and climate change.”
Other Developments
- The 2025 AI Research Colloquium, hosted by Qhala, brought together 100+ AI researchers to explore data, compute, talent, markets, and governance.
- Qhala, AfCFTA, and Google led a workshop on digital trade and adaptive regulation, examining how to scale AI solutions in key sectors like healthcare and cross-border trade.
The Bigger Picture
- Africa’s AI market is set to contribute $2.9 trillion to the economy by 2030.
- The Declaration and the Africa AI Council are part of a broader effort to boost competitiveness, attract investment, and enhance exports in the AI-driven global economy.
Why it matters
The Africa Declaration is a critical step toward ensuring Africa’s rightful place in the global AI landscape. It sets the stage for inclusive, ethical AI systems that reflect African values and address the continent’s most pressing development challenges.
