The East African Community (EAC) must lead as an Artificial Intelligence (AI) hub on the continent by operating as a unified bloc rather than as individual nations.
This was the prevailing sentiment at the fourth EAC Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Conference, which kicked off in Kigali, Rwanda, on Monday.
Under the theme "Harnessing AI for a Resilient, Inclusive, and Innovative East Africa," the three-day event provides a platform to explore how emerging technologies can drive regional growth.
The convention has brought together ministers from across the eight-member EAC bloc—Burundi, DR Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda—alongside policymakers and researchers.
Delegates are exploring a regional AI Policy Roadmap designed to harmonise shared rules and shared values across the region.
“With the right enabling environment, East Africa can actually lead,” Moses Zalobo, head of programmes at the Science for Africa (SFA) Foundation, told delegates.
“A digitally unified EAC is not just about fibre optic cables and data centres. It is about shared rules, shared opportunities and shared values. We can build a digitally unified region where AI works for every citizen in every country.”
The SFA Foundation is a non-profit organisation that promotes science and innovation across Africa.
Barbara Barone, programme officer for digitalisation and science, technology and innovation for the European Union, based in Tanzania, said that by acting collectively, the EAC could leverage its strengths and build a genuine platform for AI sovereignty in Africa.
She added, “The EU highly values its digital partnership with Africa, supporting investments in data centres, secure connectivity, digital innovation, startups and scale-ups.”
Paula Ingabire underlined the importance of data sovereignty in the region in this era of AI. She was the keynote speaker at the conference.
“Our data stays in our hands, our citizens' rights are protected by our laws,” she said. “Our AI systems reflect our values, and the economic value generated by AI in East Africa accrues to East Africans.”
East Africa is rapidly emerging as a notable innovation hub on the continent, driven by high-speed connectivity, strong international investment, and a growing focus on financial technologies.
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