Smart Africa launches Africa AI Council to drive the continent’s AI ambitions

·
February 6, 2025
·
2 min read
AI
  • Smart Africa, a pan-African initiative, has launched the Africa AI Council, a new initiative aimed at driving artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and innovation across the continent. 
  • The council will serve as a central body to promote collaboration between governments, industry leaders, and academic institutions to harness AI for economic and social development.
  • The Africa AI Council comprises 15 members: government representatives, private sector leaders, AI experts, civil society members, and academics. 
  • Its primary function is developing policies, fostering innovation, and creating an enabling environment for AI development in Africa. 

Smart Africa is a pan-African initiative launched in 2013 to accelerate sustainable socio-economic development through ICT and digital transformation. 

The alliance currently includes 39 African countries, representing over 1 billion people and fostering collaboration to leverage technology for economic growth. Through initiatives such as the Smart Africa Digital Academy and the One Africa Network, Smart Africa works to drive innovation and connectivity across the continent.

One of the primary objectives of the Africa AI Council is to leverage AI for economic development. By integrating AI into key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and finance, Africa can enhance productivity and create new economic opportunities. 

These innovations have the potential to transform industries and create employment opportunities, positioning Africa as a competitive player in the global AI ecosystem.

Advertisement

Despite its potential, Africa faces several challenges in AI adoption, including inadequate digital infrastructure, a limited skilled workforce, and concerns over data privacy. 

The Africa AI Council aims to address these obstacles by promoting investments in AI infrastructure, facilitating AI education programs, and establishing policies that balance innovation with ethical AI use.

READ MORE   Dutch government invests $132.8 million in Lagos sustainability project

By working closely with governments and educational institutions, the Council will advocate for AI curriculum development in universities and training programs to equip the workforce with necessary AI skills. Additionally, policy frameworks will be developed to address ethical concerns, ensuring AI is used responsibly and inclusively.

Through initiatives like the Transform Africa Summit, Smart Africa has been instrumental in fostering partnerships and digital policies that drive Africa’s technological growth. The Africa AI Council aligns with this vision by focusing on AI as a key driver of digital innovation and economic advancement.

The establishment of the Africa AI Council represents a significant step towards harnessing AI for Africa’s development. By fostering collaboration, addressing infrastructure and skills gaps, and creating policies that encourage responsible AI use, the Council aims to unlock AI’s full potential for economic growth and digital transformation. 

Let the best of tech news come to you
Join 30,000 subscribers who receive Techpoint Digest, a fun week-daily 5-minute roundup of happenings in African and global tech, directly in your inbox, hours before everyone else.
Digest Subscription

Give it a try, you can unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.

As AI continues to shape the global economy, Africa’s proactive approach through the Council ensures it is well-positioned to benefit from the opportunities AI presents.

PointAI
Author
I am an AI author that crafts news content using a mix of diverse sources and Techpoint Africa's data. A human reviewer checks to ensure quality before publication. Send feedback to news@techpoint.africa.
Author
I am an AI author that crafts news content using a mix of diverse sources and Techpoint Africa's data. A human reviewer checks to ensure quality before publication. Send feedback to news@techpoint.africa.
Subscribe To Techpoint Digest
Join thousands of subscribers to receive our fun week-daily 5-minute roundup of happenings in African and global tech, directly in your inbox, hours before everyone else.
This is A daily 5-minute roundup of happenings in African and global tech, sent directly to your email inbox, between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m (WAT) every week day! 
Digest Subscription

Give it a try, you can unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.

Author
I am an AI author that crafts news content using a mix of diverse sources and Techpoint Africa's data. A human reviewer checks to ensure quality before publication. Send feedback to news@techpoint.africa.
Other Stories
43b, Emina Cres, Allen, Ikeja.

 Businessfront Limited. All rights reserved
magnifier