//AFU

International / Regional Body

African Union

15TOTAL

3OFFICIAL SOURCES

9TOPIC AREAS

Policy / Guidance1

National Strategy8

International Agreement1

Other5

Agentic AiAi SafetyCybersecurityData Privacy & ProtectionHealth & Life SciencesNational StrategyOnline Safety & Child ProtectionSafe & Responsible AiStrategy & Policy

Other

African Parliament discusses AI and holds an extended meeting with the South African Parliament

It is reported that the Pan-African Parliament has set aside a day of its meetings in Midrand, South Africa, to discuss key issues in the field of AI and digital sovereignty in Africa. The experts participating in this meeting called for the establishment of a continental framework based on ethics, inclusiveness, and technological sovereignty, emphasizing the need to establish a framework that guarantees the protection of fundamental rights, especially in sensitive sectors such as health, education, and funding. In her speech on the occasion, the First Vice-President of the Pan-African Parliament, Ms. Fatima Habib, praised the exemplary cooperation between the Pan-African Parliament and the South African Parliament, calling for the promotion of women’s and youth representation in various African institutions and bodies.

26 July 2025Health & Life SciencesData Privacy & Protection

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International Agreement

Africa Declaration on Artificial Intelligence signed

At the inaugural Global AI Summit on Africa in Kigali, Rwanda, 54 signatories, including the African Union, have signed the Africa Declaration on Artificial Intelligence. The declaration seeks: (1) to leverage the potential of AI to drive innovation and competitiveness to advance Africa’s economies, industries, and societies; (2) to position Africa as a global leader in ethical, trustworthy, and inclusive AI adoption; and (3) to foster the sustainable and responsible design, development, deployment, use, and governance of AI technologies in Africa.

8 April 2025Agentic AiData Privacy & Protection

↗ Link availableSecondary source

Other✓ Official

African Union, European Union, G20, G7 and United Nations adopted Paris AI Action Statement

Following the AI Action Summit in Paris, the African Union, European Union, G20, G7, and United Nations have the adopted the Statement on Inclusive and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence for People and the Planet. This statement emphasises the promotion of AI accessibility to bridge digital divides, ensuring AI systems are ethical and trustworthy, and advancing international cooperation on AI governance.

11 February 2025Data Privacy & ProtectionOnline Safety & Child Protection

↗ Link available

National Strategy

African Union executive council approves AI Strategy

The Executive Council of the African Union Commission has approved the Artificial intelligence Strategy and Digital Compart for Africa during its 45th Ordinary Session in Accra.

19 July 2024National Strategy

↗ Link available

National Strategy

African Union to deliberate on Continental AI Strategy in Ghana

The African Union's Executive session is set to be held in Ghana between July 18 and 19, 2024, for deliberation on the "Continental Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy" and "African Digital Compact".

17 July 2024National Strategy

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National Strategy

Africa Union adopts the Continental AI Strategy

The African Union has adopted the Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy which (1) aims to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation; (2) aims to harness AI's potential while promoting ethical use and addressing diverse challenges across education, health, agriculture, and governance; (3) emphasises developing human capital, fostering innovation ecosystems, and creating a conducive regulatory environment; and (4) outlines a unified approach to leveraging digital technologies for sustainable development and economic growth throughout the continent.

17 June 2024National Strategy

↗ Link available

National Strategy

G7 Presidency partners with UNDP Africa to advance AI for sustainable development

The G7 Italian Presidency, in collaboration with UN Development Programme (UNDP), has concluded a series of high-level meetings with African Union (AU) senior officials, African Ambassadors to the AU, the European Union Special Representative to the African Union, and stakeholders from the private sector. The outcome of the meetings is a reinforced commitment to strengthen collaboration on AI for sustainable development and collectively address challenges to ensuring access to AI for all. In particular, the G7 and UNDP will continue their engagement to co-design an AI Hub for Sustainable Development with African leaders in 2024.

15 April 2024National Strategy

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Other✓ Official

China-African Union Statement for Increased Cooperation in AI adopted

At the China-Africa Internet Development and Cooperation Forum, China and the African Union adopted a joint statement to increase their cooperation in the area of AI research and development. Key points include: (1) establish China-Africa AI policy dialogue and cooperation; (2) promote AI technology R&D and investment among Chinese and African enterprises; (3) promote industrial cooperation and development especially in African sectors; (4) AI talent exchange and capacity building; (5) deepen cooperation in network and data security, particularly the privacy and data security of individuals in AI research and application.

3 April 2024Data Privacy & ProtectionCybersecurity

↗ Link available

Policy / Guidance✓ Official

China, African nations pledge cooperation on cybersecurity, AI governance

At the China-Africa Internet Development and Cooperation Forum in Xiamen, China unveiled a comprehensive plan for digital cooperation with Africa, titled "Plan of Actions on Jointly Building a China-Africa Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace (2025-2026)". This plan focuses on five key areas: (1) digital economy development through investment in communication infrastructure like 5G and submarine cables, creating a "Cooperation Network" for Chinese Internet enterprises, and expanding "Silk Road E-Commerce" to promote African products; (2) safeguarding cybersecurity by strengthening emergency response cooperation, mutual trust through dialogue, and addressing data security and cross-border data flow risks; (3) building digital capacity through training in areas like e-commerce, cybersecurity, and AI, and hosting annual seminars; (4) advancing AI governance through dialogue, implementing the Global AI Governance Initiative, and coordinating positions in international forums like the UN and G20; and (5) enhancing online media cooperation via joint interviews, product exchanges, and talent development to promote the China-Africa narrative and a more inclusive global communication order.

30 September 2025CybersecurityData Privacy & Protection

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National Strategy

Africa Declaration on Artificial Intelligence (2025):

Strategy & PolicySafe & Responsible AiAi Safety

↗ Link available

National Strategy

Continental AI Strategy (2024):

This strategy calls for unified national approaches among African Union member states to navigate the complexities of AI-driven change, aiming to strengthen regional and global cooperation and position Africa as a leader in inclusive and responsible AI development. The strategy proposes 15 action areas, notably including (1) the establishment of an appropriate AI governance system and regulations at regional and national levels; (2) the adoption and implementation of technical standards to ensure the safety and security of AI systems across the Continent; and (3) accelerated African participation in global AI governance.

Strategy & Policy

↗ Link available

National Strategy

AUDA White Paper - Regulation and Responsible Adoption of AI in Africa Towards Achievement of African Union Agenda 2063 (2024):

The White Paper released by the African Union Development Agency follows the 2021 AI blueprint and the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights Resolution 473, which calls for a human-rights-centred approach to AI governance. The White Paper calls for a harmonised approach to AI adoption and for member states to adopt national AI strategies that emphasise data safety, security and protection in an effort to promote the ethical use of AI. The White Paper proposes (1) self-regulation, which would be enforced through sectoral codes of conduct, and which offer a degree of flexibility to match an evolving AI landscape; (2) the adoption of standards and certification to establish industry benchmarks; (3) a distinction between hard and soft regulation, depending on the identified potential for harm; and (4) AI regulatory sandboxes to allow for testing under regulatory supervision.

Strategy & Policy

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Other

African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights Resolution 473 (2021):

This Resolution, among other things, (1) calls for a human-rights-centred approach to AI governance; (2) calls on African Union and regional bodies to develop regional regulatory framework around AI technologies, robotics and other emerging technologies; and (3) commits to a study to further develop guidelines and norms addressing the impact of these technologies on human rights in Africa.

Safe & Responsible Ai

↗ Link available

National Strategy

Blueprint - Artificial Intelligence for Africa (2021):

This AI Blueprint guides member states on what they could or should implement around the matters requiring AI intervention as a technology of choice. It aims to (1) help shape policies for strong and ethical AI across Africa, (2) foster AI expertise and solutions "made in Africa for Africa", (3) create an enabling environment for open data to boost Africa-wide AI exchange, innovation and to create markets, and (4) secure investment to make AI ready for markets.

Strategy & Policy

↗ Link available

Other

State of AI Regulation in Africa: Trends and Developments (March 2024):

A comprehensive report of AI policy and regulatory developments across Africa.

↗ Link available