AU Calls for African-Led AI Governance to Drive Development
H.E. Ambassador Selma Malika Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, has called for Africa to assume a leadership role in artificial intelligence (AI) development and governance during her keynote at the G20 – African Union AI for Africa Summit.
The event, themed “Unlocking AI Potential for Africa’s Development and Prosperity”, was held in Cape Town under South Africa’s G20 Presidency.
Representing the AU Chairperson, H.E. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Ambassador Haddadi emphasised that AI should serve as a catalyst for development rather than a substitute for human ingenuity.
She argued that Africa’s advantage lies in combining deep contextual understanding with advanced technological skills, positioning the continent to address challenges others cannot.
“Technology is not beyond human control—it is an instrument of deliberate choice,” she said, highlighting the African Union’s Continental AI Strategy, adopted in 2024, which sets governance principles to ensure AI aligns with Africa’s development priorities while protecting citizens’ rights and dignity.
The Deputy Chairperson urged African nations to develop governance frameworks that reflect local values, market realities, and aspirations, and called on the continent’s youth to actively shape these systems. She also stressed the importance of digital sovereignty, investment in AI infrastructure, and the creation of African-owned intellectual property.
“Africa’s ambitions must extend beyond our borders. We are no longer willing to just be consumers of AI solutions designed elsewhere. Africa already possesses the potential and capacity to lead in AI development and governance,” Ambassador Haddadi said.
She further emphasised that AI initiatives should be human-centred, anchored in Pan-Africanism and Ubuntu, and strengthened through regional cooperation, partnerships, and inclusive approaches that ensure emerging technologies serve African communities and heritage.
The summit brought together ministers, experts, and international partners, including UNESCO and AU officials, to discuss AI strategies, infrastructure, and investment opportunities. Ambassador Haddadi concluded by urging participants to support the AI4Africa initiative and to ensure that AI contributes meaningfully to the continent’s sustainable development.
