AI positioned as a Strategic Priority in Africa in 2025

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A growing number of African countries are actively advancing AI governance through national strategies. Recent launches of AI Strategies in Africa in 2025 include the Kenya AI Strategy (2025-2030), Lesotho’s AI Strategy, and the adoption of the second edition of Egypt’s AI Strategy. This brings the total to 8 countries in Africa having launched national AI strategies in the past few years. AI has also been positioned as a strategic priority for Africa in the recently concluded AU High Level Policy Dialogue on the Development and Regulation of AI in Africa.

In 2024, the African Union Continental AI Strategy was endorsed, offering a unified regulatory framework, encouraging ethical AI use, technical standards, national AI councils, and policy harmonisation. Countries like Egypt, Kenya, Rwanda, and Mauritius exemplify this progress: Egypt’s strategy focuses on governance, capacity-building, and international cooperation; Mauritius aims to use AI to boost economic growth and productivity; Kenya aims to be a regional leader in AI research and development, and innovation; and Rwanda’s policy aligns with its Vision 2050, positioning it as a regional AI innovation hub.

Additionally, at a regional level, African countries have recognized the potential of AI to significantly transform the continent in line with Agenda 2063. In May 2025, the African Union Commission held a High-Level Policy Dialogue in Addis Ababa with over 40 countries on the development and regulation of AI in Africa. The Dialogue reaffirmed commitment to implementing the AU Continental Strategy on AI and proposed the creation of a continental AI governance mechanism. 

The discussion emphasized the need to conduct regular assessments on AI risks and implications in Africa to ensure explainability and fairness of AI solutions, whilst putting in place appropriate privacy safeguards.

AI was declared as a strategic priority for the continent to spur collaboration on development of the necessary AI infrastructure, high quality datasets, compute capabilities, and the needed skills and research capabilities. This prioritisation will spur Africa’s objective to mainstream AI in key areas such as the delivery of public services, education, health and agriculture. 


The Communiqué may be read here.

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