President Paul Kagame.

Policymakers from across Africa are coming together to discuss the potential benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how to best reduce the risks of this new technology.

African leaders, tech executives, and international organisations are set to gather in Kigali, Rwanda, for the Global AI Summit on April 3-4, 2025, where they will forge Africa’s approach to AI governance and development. 

The summit, hosted by Rwanda’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, aims to empower Africa to become a "standard-maker, not standard-taker" in global AI governance.

With Africa representing just 2.5% of the global AI market, leaders are seeking strategies that reflect the continent's unique context, distinct from Western or Asian policies.

Speaking ahead of the Summit, Rwanda President Paul Kagame said: “Africa has the most to gain from AI and this two-day summit provides a crucial opportunity to balance immediate development priorities with strategic positioning in this transformative industry.”

Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, executive president of Morocco's International Centre for Artificial Intelligence. highlighted that AI has already shown promise in African agriculture and healthcare. 

“AI-powered tools are helping farmers improve crop yields by analysing environmental conditions, while AI in healthcare aids in tracking infectious diseases and providing medical information to underserved communities. AI can solve fundamental problems," he said.

However, Kennedy Chengeta, an AI-focused academic from Pretoria warned that Africa faces challenges, including limited data infrastructure and gaps in electricity and internet access. 

"While countries like Mauritius, Egypt, and Nigeria have developed AI strategies, many others lack comprehensive frameworks. We cannot base an AI strategy on experiences from Europe, China, or the U.S. — we must understand what AI means for Africa," said Chengeta.