Smart Africa, a coalition representing 40 African nations and over a billion people, has unveiled the Africa Artificial Intelligence (AI) Council to position the continent as a key player in the global AI economy.
The Council, comprising stakeholders from government, private sector, civil society, academia, and leading AI experts, will spearhead Africa’s efforts to harness AI for economic transformation. Smart Africa emphasized that with the continent’s youthful and rapidly expanding workforce, AI-driven productivity gains could significantly enhance economic growth.
The launch comes amid industry forecasts suggesting that AI could contribute up to $30 billion to Sub-Saharan Africa’s economy by 2030. Analysts also highlight AI skills as a catalyst for innovation, enabling Africa’s workforce to compete globally.
“The continent has a unique opportunity to design the workforce of the future, driven by AI-enabled industries,” Smart Africa stated. “The Africa AI Council will serve as a catalyst for these ambitions, aligning national and continental efforts to unlock AI’s vast potential for inclusive transformation.”
Lacina Koné, CEO of Smart Africa, described the Council’s establishment as a milestone in Africa’s AI journey. “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,” he said.
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The inaugural 15-member council will be officially unveiled at the upcoming Global AI Summit on Africa, hosted by Rwanda’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) and the country’s Ministry of ICT and Innovation, in partnership with the World Economic Forum.
C4IR and Qhala, a social impact assessment firm, will collaborate with Smart Africa to develop the Council’s strategy and operational framework. Qhala has secured startup funding from the Gates Foundation to support Smart Africa in crafting the Council’s strategic plan.
Smart Africa further revealed that Qhala is already working on an AI governance toolkit, an AI talent readiness index, and a framework for the Pan-African AI Research Centre—key initiatives designed to support the Council’s objectives.