By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
Smart
Africa has convened the inaugural meeting of the Africa AI Council, marking a
significant step toward advancing Africa’s artificial intelligence agenda
through an African-led, globally collaborative platform.
The
meeting brought together leaders from the public and private sectors to align
on priorities and governance structures that will guide the Council’s work. Key
items on the agenda included updates on the establishment of the Council’s
Thematic Working Groups, which are expected to serve as the operational
backbone of the initiative, as well as progress on the development of the AI
Fund Concept, designed to provide a structured roadmap for financing and
implementation.
Speaking
on the mandate of the Council, Smart Africa Chief Executive Officer Lacina Koné
said the Board has charged the Council with ensuring that Africa becomes a
creator of AI technologies rather than merely a consumer. He emphasized that
the long-term significance of the Council’s work would be measured by the
tangible impact of its decisions on future generations, rather than the
rhetoric of its deliberations.
The
Africa AI Council is expected to play a central role in guiding African
governments in the development of national and regional AI strategies. Its
mandate also includes promoting African research and innovation, fostering
strategic partnerships, mobilizing investment, and supporting the digital and
physical infrastructure required to develop, deploy, and scale artificial
intelligence solutions across the continent.
