Session
Subtheme
Organizer 1: Ikran Abdirahman, DIFA Consultancy
Organizer 2: Arnold Oginga , Ochieng Oginga and Company Advocates and IDEATE TECH POLICY AFRICA (ITPA)
Organizer 2: Arnold Oginga , Ochieng Oginga and Company Advocates and IDEATE TECH POLICY AFRICA (ITPA)
Speaker 1: Muthuri Kathure, Private Sector, African Group
Speaker 2: Orembo Liz , Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 3: Diana Nyakundi, Intergovernmental Organization, African Group
Speaker 2: Orembo Liz , Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 3: Diana Nyakundi, Intergovernmental Organization, African Group
Moderator
Ikran Abdirahman, Technical Community, African Group
Online Moderator
Arnold Oginga , Private Sector, African Group
Rapporteur
Sumaiyah Omar, Technical Community, African Group
Format
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: Speakers provide opening remarks before tackling questions from the moderator. This will then be used to compare and contrast positions/experiences from each country/stakeholder as well as prompt various thoughts and positions on AI governance and multi stakeholder collaboration in Africa. Audience encouraged to add statements/questions to the discussion (participation of online audience will also be facilitated).
Duration (minutes): 90
Format description: Speakers provide opening remarks before tackling questions from the moderator. This will then be used to compare and contrast positions/experiences from each country/stakeholder as well as prompt various thoughts and positions on AI governance and multi stakeholder collaboration in Africa. Audience encouraged to add statements/questions to the discussion (participation of online audience will also be facilitated).
Policy Question(s)
A. Which stakeholders play a critical role in shaping AI development in Africa, and how can we create inclusive mechanisms to ensure meaningful participation from underrepresented voices?
B. What existing models or initiatives promote multistakeholder collaboration in AI development, and what lessons can be learned from their successes and challenges?
C. What are the key barriers hindering effective multistakeholder collaboration in AI development, and how do they impact innovation, policy alignment, and responsible AI adoption?
D. What practical and actionable strategies can African countries adopt to enhance trust, partnership, and long-term collaboration in AI development?
What will participants gain from attending this session? The session will refine the participants' understanding of the African perspective on development of AI governance from the government perspective, private sector practice, academic, civil society and technical working groups' concerns. The session will also illuminate African collaboration on opportunities for African-led AI research, innovation, and capacity building. The conversation will also provide concrete steps on how Africa will navigate the broader global AI power dynamics, which often place the continent at the margin of AI governance and development.
Description:
Effective AI governance and responsible adoption require input from diverse actors, including governments, private sector leaders, academia, civil society, and international organizations. However, despite the growing consensus on the need for collaboration, implementation remains fragmented, and practical engagement frameworks are often lacking. Beyond internal structural challenges, Africa must also navigate the broader global AI power dynamics, which often place the continent at the margins of AI governance and development. Many African countries are still grappling with fundamental questions about AI adoption, such as how AI should be integrated into their societies, what the associated risks and benefits for citizens are, and how prepared they are technically, legally, and institutionally to harness AI for sustainable development. One of the key barriers to collaboration is the fragmented AI ecosystem across the continent. This uneven policy landscape makes it difficult to establish regional AI governance frameworks or harmonized regulatory approaches, resulting in countries working in silos rather than collectively advancing AI development. Weak synergies and siloed efforts between industry, academia, and government present a disconnect between actors that hampers knowledge exchange, slows down AI adoption, and prevents the development of a robust AI workforce. This session seeks to explore means and models of strengthening multi stakeholder collaboration while identifying actionable strategies and defining stakeholder roles. This panel shall bring together government, civil society, private sector, technical and academic actors in Africa. The diversity of the panel emanates from their various activities as champions of AI governance initiatives and will enrich the current global discourse.
Effective AI governance and responsible adoption require input from diverse actors, including governments, private sector leaders, academia, civil society, and international organizations. However, despite the growing consensus on the need for collaboration, implementation remains fragmented, and practical engagement frameworks are often lacking. Beyond internal structural challenges, Africa must also navigate the broader global AI power dynamics, which often place the continent at the margins of AI governance and development. Many African countries are still grappling with fundamental questions about AI adoption, such as how AI should be integrated into their societies, what the associated risks and benefits for citizens are, and how prepared they are technically, legally, and institutionally to harness AI for sustainable development. One of the key barriers to collaboration is the fragmented AI ecosystem across the continent. This uneven policy landscape makes it difficult to establish regional AI governance frameworks or harmonized regulatory approaches, resulting in countries working in silos rather than collectively advancing AI development. Weak synergies and siloed efforts between industry, academia, and government present a disconnect between actors that hampers knowledge exchange, slows down AI adoption, and prevents the development of a robust AI workforce. This session seeks to explore means and models of strengthening multi stakeholder collaboration while identifying actionable strategies and defining stakeholder roles. This panel shall bring together government, civil society, private sector, technical and academic actors in Africa. The diversity of the panel emanates from their various activities as champions of AI governance initiatives and will enrich the current global discourse.
Expected Outcomes
1. The identification and clarification on practical strategies and proposals of partnership models by African multi stakeholders fostering collaboration to accelerate AI adoption.
2. Follow up events: This will include regional dialogues with various partners and stakeholders such as UNESCO (Regional Office in Eastern Africa), Smart Africa and AUDA NEPAD, to further promote discourse on inclusive AI development and collaboration in Africa.
3. A session report to be published online after the event which will act as a baseline to conduct further research and publication for AI governance and multi stakeholder collaboration in Africa.
Hybrid Format: To increase online participation and interest, organizers will distribute via different platforms and communication channels the information about the panel discussion and how participants can join the Official Online Participation Platform.
To provide the best possible experience for the online and on-site participants, at least 15 minutes will be reserved for a Q&A session, and the moderator will ensure that participants have equal opportunities to contribute. A note-taker will summarize the discussion.