RABAT, Morocco – Africa has taken a step toward positioning itself as a global player in artificial intelligence (AI) with the launch of the Africa AI Council, a new advisory body dedicated to driving digital transformation across the continent.
The Council, established by Smart Africa, an alliance of 40 African nations, aims to harness AI’s potential to accelerate economic growth, enhance innovation, and develop policies that ensure Africa remains competitive in the AI-driven global economy.
Lacina Koné, CEO of Smart Africa, described the Council’s formation as a milestone in Africa’s digital trajectory.
“AI is not just technology to us; it’s an African arrow that, when thrown with the right ethical frameworks and inclusive policies, can pierce the way to African digital prosperity and resilience for the benefit of every citizen,” Koné stated.
The Council will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, and AI experts from civil society and academia to align efforts across Africa’s digital ecosystem.
It will serve as an advisory body to Smart Africa’s governing structures, including the Council of Ministers and the Steering Committee, through the office of the Chief Executive Officer.
The inaugural 15-member Council will be officially unveiled at the first-ever Global AI Summit on Africa, set to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, on April 3-4, 2025.
The Council is also expected to submit a one-year strategic plan during the Transform Africa Summit, scheduled for July 22-24, 2025.
Following its official announcement in Rabat, Morocco, on February 4, 2025, the Council’s agenda will be further developed through consultative sessions at major global tech forums, including the Paris AI Action Summit in February and the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in March.
These engagements will help shape Africa’s approach to AI governance, research, and workforce development.
To support the operationalization of the Council, Smart Africa will collaborate with Rwanda’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) and Qhala, a digital transformation firm.
Qhala has secured funding from the Gates Foundation to assist in developing the Council’s strategic framework, including an AI governance toolkit, an AI talent readiness index, and a blueprint for the Pan-African AI Research Center.
With the world’s youngest and fastest-growing workforce, Africa has a unique opportunity to harness AI for economic and societal transformation.
The Council’s mission is to ensure AI technologies are deployed inclusively and ethically, benefiting all segments of society.
By aligning national and continental efforts, the Africa AI Council seeks to unlock AI’s full potential—making Africa not just a consumer of AI technologies but a leader in shaping their future development and application.
