IGF 2025: Africa Charts a Sovereign Path for AI Governance
On June 27, 2025, a significant session was held at the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Oslo, focusing on the urgent need for sovereign and ethical AI systems in Africa. With over 1,000 African startups relying heavily on foreign AI models, concerns about digital dependency were raised, prompting African leaders to advocate for tailored solutions that reflect local realities.
The Call for Action
The session, hosted by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), gathered voices from various sectors, including government, civil society, and private enterprises. Moderated by a prominent figure in the field, the discussion highlighted the necessity for AI to support democratic governance in Africa. The emphasis was placed on the principles of fairness, transparency, and inclusion.
Warnings About AI’s Impact
Neema Iyer, the Executive Director of Policy, voiced concerns about how AI can undermine governance through surveillance, disinformation, and political manipulation. She called for civil society to act as both watchdogs and storytellers, advocating for public interest impact assessments and grassroots education to mitigate these risks.
Frameworks for Trustworthy AI
Representatives from various countries, including South Africa, stressed the importance of having transparent governance frameworks grounded in constitutional values. It was noted that policies must be inclusive, emphasizing the need for explainability, the removal of data biases, and citizen oversight as essential components of trustworthy AI.
Avoiding Digital Dependency
Lacina Koné, CEO of Smart Africa, urged immediate action to prevent digital dependency, stating, “We cannot be passively optimistic. Africa must be intentional.” He pointed out that the reliance on foreign AI models poses significant sovereignty risks and highlighted the need for Africa to focus on beneficial AI, particularly in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and education.
Challenges and Experiences
Matchiane Soueid Ahmed from Mauritania shared insights into her country’s experience in developing a national AI strategy. Despite the challenges, including poor rural infrastructure and technical capacity gaps, she emphasized that sovereignty extends beyond territorial borders into the digital realm.
Private Sector Perspectives
Shikoh Gitau, CEO of KALA in Kenya, highlighted the role of the private sector in fostering AI literacy. Her organization runs campaigns across six countries, directly training teachers within their communities. Gitau emphasized the importance of creating enabling environments and engaging with blended financing to support these initiatives.
Harmonization and Youth Concerns
Audience members from countries such as Gambia, Ghana, and Liberia raised crucial questions about the harmonization of AI strategies and addressed youth fears regarding job loss and AI readiness. In response, Koné noted that Smart Africa is actively benchmarking national strategies and promoting convergence without erasing national sovereignty.
Implementation and Future Prospects
Despite 19 African countries having published AI strategies, the speakers acknowledged that implementation remains slow. They stressed the need for practical actions like infrastructure upgrades, talent development, and public-private collaboration to bring these frameworks to fruition.
Conclusion
The panel concluded that building AI systems prioritizing inclusion, utility, and human rights is essential. Investments in digital literacy, ethics boards, and regulatory sandboxes were identified as key tools for effective governance. The session wrapped up with a sense of cautious optimism, reinforcing the idea that while the journey toward ethical AI in Africa is ongoing, the right investments and partnerships can pave the way for a promising future.
