The development of artificial intelligence (AI) in Africa is gaining momentum, with the continent being encouraged to build its own AI ecosystem rather than remain a passive consumer of technology developed elsewhere. The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Research ICT Africa, is promoting African innovation in AI through the inaugural ECA Innovation Cafe. This event aims to showcase AI-enabled solutions that address African development challenges.
The push for African AI development comes with concerns about the use of citizen data and governance. As cities consider deploying AI systems to manage traffic and public safety, questions arise about facial recognition, predictive policing, and algorithms that analyze citizens' data. While the attraction of improved transport, public safety, and environmental outcomes is obvious, there is a risk that residents may be constantly watched, classified, and assessed by systems they may not fully understand.
The dilemma was highlighted at the Digital@UNGA 2026 session, titled Human-Centric Cities in the Age of AI: Connectivity, Inclusion and Opportunity for All. The discussion emphasized the need for AI development to prioritize people, rather than technology, at its center. This requires considering the potential consequences of AI systems on citizens, including issues of data control, security, and access.
Africa needs AI, but it also needs African AI that understands the continent's specific challenges. The question is what African innovators can build for African problems. Potential applications include AI systems that better understand county budgets, make parliamentary records searchable, assist journalists, help farmers interpret weather information, or support health workers.
Kenya provides an important example of AI development in Africa. The country's AI Strategy 2025–2030 identifies key areas, including AI infrastructure, data and AI governance, research, innovation, and commercialization. The Government is also developing a national policy for artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, addressing responsible development and deployment, innovation, infrastructure, human capital, and public trust.
Data governance is a critical aspect of AI development, with Data Commissioner Immaculate Kassait emphasizing the importance of transparency in data collection, processing, and safeguarding. Trust is essential to digital transformation, particularly when AI systems move from chatbots to city infrastructure. Facial-recognition systems, predictive systems, and automated processing raise questions about governance, including who checks AI decisions, owns underlying data, and ensures data security.
The challenge is ensuring that regulation does not arrive only after technology has become embedded in people's lives. Kenya's Constitution protects privacy under Article 31, while the Data Protection Act, 2019 provides a statutory framework for processing and safeguarding personal data. The emerging AI policy framework adds another layer to that governance architecture, highlighting the need for a human-centered approach to AI development in Africa.
Key points
- The development of AI in Africa raises concerns about citizen data and governance.
- African innovators are being encouraged to develop AI solutions that address continent-specific challenges.
- Governance and regulation are critical aspects of AI development in Africa.
