At the inaugural Global AI Summit on Africa held in Kigali, Rwanda, from April 2–4, 2025, African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, H.E. Lerato D. Mataboge, delivered a compelling address outlining Africa’s strategic vision for artificial intelligence (AI). Her remarks emphasized the transformative potential of AI in advancing the continent’s development agenda and the imperative for Africa to actively shape its AI trajectory. Commissioner Mataboge highlighted the rapid adoption of AI across various sectors in Africa. Between 2020 and 2023, AI-driven healthcare initiatives attracted approximately $550 million in investments, with nearly 350 startups across 27 countries enhancing the digital health supply chain. These efforts have facilitated the tracking of nearly 98 million vaccines and 72 million essential health products, significantly reducing costs and saving lives. In the financial sector, fintech solutions are addressing the needs of over 50% of the unbanked population, promoting financial and social inclusion. Agricultural innovations powered by AI are assisting more than 33 million small-scale farmers, improving productivity by up to 30%.
Central to Commissioner Mataboge’s address was the African Union’s Continental AI Strategy, adopted in July 2024. This strategy advocates for an Africa-centric, development-oriented approach to AI, emphasizing ethical, responsible, and equitable practices. Key focus areas include:
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Developing governance frameworks tailored to Africa’s context.
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Integrating AI into critical sectors to maximize benefits.
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Building digital infrastructure and datasets.
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Cultivating and retaining AI talent within the continent.
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Mitigating risks associated with AI misuse.
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Fostering partnerships and investments.
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Promoting research and innovation.
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Establishing legal and regulatory instruments to protect against biases and misuse.
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Strengthening international cooperation to ensure Africa’s proactive participation in the global AI landscape.
Commissioner Mataboge cautioned against the risks of relying solely on AI technologies developed outside Africa, which may perpetuate existing biases and undermine national sovereignty. She stressed the importance of building domestic AI expertise and high-quality local datasets to ensure AI systems are responsive to the continent’s unique needs and promote inclusivity. Highlighting the global concentration of AI benefits in developed nations, Commissioner Mataboge called for a more balanced global AI governance framework. She advocated for fair distribution of AI resources and emphasized the need for inclusive international cooperation, particularly in capacity building, joint research, and voluntary technology and knowledge sharing. Commissioner Mataboge’s address at the Global AI Summit on Africa underscored the African Union’s commitment to harnessing AI for the continent’s sustainable development. By implementing the Continental AI Strategy and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, Mataboge said Africa is poised to position itself as a proactive participant in the global AI landscape, ensuring that AI technologies serve the continent’s unique needs and aspirations.
