The AU’s Continental AI Strategy, adopted in July 2024, is a bold and ambitious blueprint that seeks to harness the transformative power of AI to drive Africa’s socio-economic development, aligned with Agenda 2063 and the SDGs. The strategy sets a people-centred, ethical, and inclusive framework rooted in African values and equity. It identifies five focus areas: harnessing AI’s benefits, minimizing risks, building AI capabilities, stimulating investment, and fostering regional and international cooperation.

With fifteen actionable areas ranging from establishing AI governance and ethics frameworks to expanding public and private AI adoption in key sectors like agriculture, education, and healthcare the strategy calls for massive investment in infrastructure, datasets, computing platforms, and talent development. It underscores the need for African participation in global AI governance, regional harmonization, and ethical AI systems that protect rights, diversity, and culture (e.g., Ubuntu philosophy).

The strategy urges AU member states to develop national AI strategies and invest in startups while encouraging the private sector to co-create Africa-centric AI innovations. A call to action for AU institutions, states, development partners, and stakeholders stresses resource mobilization, capacity building, and annual AI safety conferences to ensure Africa shapes and benefits from the AI revolution.