Beyond the Global AI Summit on Africa: Making AI Work for All of Us
Background
In April this year, Kigali hosted the inaugural Global AI Summit on Africa, bringing together over 1,000 participants from nearly 100 countries continentally and globally. The summit provided a much needed platform to reimagine Artificial Intelligence as a tool for equitable transformation, while positioning Africa as an active force in the global technological landscape.
Amidst the powerful conversations, it became clear that Africa must define how AI reflects its values, addresses its unique challenges, and drives inclusive innovation. Recognising this, real impact will require not only policies from the halls of power, but also the active involvement of communities, civil society, youth and women who live the promise and pitfalls of AI in everyday life.
PAIRS-Africa: From Dialogue to Action
In the lead-up to the summit, Pollicy co-organized the Participatory AI Research Symposium (PAIRS-Africa), which convened researchers and practitioners across sectors to formulate a collective vision for a people-centred approach to AI. PAIRS-Africa in challenging top-down AI models, aligned with the growing global movement for participatory AI where decisions about design, governance, and use are shaped through dialogue, inclusivity, and accountability.
Subsequently, together with Niyel, CIPESA, Innovation for Policy Foundation, ACM Nigeria, MISA, the University of Namibia and other partners, and with the support from Mozilla Foundation, we have released a joint statement addressed to African leaders, organisers, and co-chairs of the Global AI Summit on Africa 2025 to embed inclusive and participatory approaches into institutional frameworks.
The statement highlights the urgent need for AI governance that:
- Promotes decent AI jobs for Africa
- Ensures public engagement and participation
- Resources participatory AI development
Get Involved: Add your voice
Building on this important work, we invite individuals, organizations, and networks across Africa to join the signatory by endorsing the PAIRS-Africa statement via the sign-up form, thereby contributing to a collective effort in shaping AI governance. By lending your voice, you help promote AI that serves the public good and reflects the lived realities of African communities.
Have any questions or feedback, connect with Bobina Zulfa, (Data and Digital Rights Researcher, Pollicy) at bobina@pollicy.org. Together, let’s work to shape an AI future grounded in equity and accountability.
