African governments should not simply copy artificial intelligence (AI) regulation such as the European Union AI Act, says Vodacom Group in a policy paper developed with law firm Bowmans.
The paper, Governing Artificial Intelligence in Africa: A Principles-based Framework for Responsible Regulation, warns that such frameworks could stifle local innovation and delay equitable access to locally relevant technology.
It advocates a context-sensitive, phased approach tailored to the continent’s economic and technological realities.
It proposes a hybrid governance model: a central coordination body embedded within existing digital authorities, working alongside sector-specific regulators in finance, health and telecoms, rather than expensive new statutory bodies.
Its three-phase roadmap begins with foundational cybersecurity and data laws, moves to regulatory sandboxes and impact assessments, and ends with advanced auditing mechanisms as local capabilities mature.
“Vodacom submits that AI governance in Africa should not simply replicate any single international model. While international frameworks provide valuable lessons, effective governance must be adapted to Africa’s infrastructure constraints, institutional capacity, data governance challenges, digital literacy disparities and broader socio-economic realities, while enabling African countries to participate meaningfully in the development, deployment, and governance of AI technologies,” the paper reads.
Africa must have a meaningful voice in shaping the rules that will govern its AI future, said Ayman Essam, chief external affairs officer at Vodacom Group.
“Protection must be balanced with innovation, and regulatory approaches should evolve alongside institutional capacity and technological development. A phased approach can help create certainty and safeguards while enabling innovation that supports economic and social progress.”
European-style regulation carries steep compliance burdens, Vodacom said, including complex pre-deployment conformity assessments costing an estimated €6 000 to €7 000 per application, and it presupposes mature institutional capacity and high-speed infrastructure.
Imposing such rules across regions with low digital literacy and vast informal economies risks deepening existing digital divides.
The Vodacom and Bowmans paper proposes a framework that includes localised risk models and non-digital recourse paths for the informal sector.
It stresses that cross-border alignment through Regional Economic Communities is essential to prevent market fragmentation.
“Effective AI governance requires frameworks that are both practical and adaptable. Africa has an opportunity to develop regulatory approaches that draw on global best practice while remaining firmly rooted in local legal, economic and social realities. Greater coordination among African countries can help create trusted environments for innovation, investment and the responsible use of AI,” said Bowmans partner Kate Paterson.
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