Intelligent technology meets smart politics
Artificial intelligence is no longer a topic for the future – over 60 countries worldwide have already adopted a national AI strategy. But how can these strategies be designed in a sustainable, inclusive and responsible way? This is exactly where the Africa-Asia AI Policymaker Network comes in: an influential platform for government representatives from Africa and Asia who are committed to the common goal of future-proofing AI governance.
Originated from a peer-learning program for government employees working on AI solutions from Ghana, India, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda The Africa-Asia AI Policymaker, it has developed into a cross-border network since its foundation in Cape Town in 2022. The network promotes open and responsible AI at national and global level, serves as a collective voice for African and Asian policymakers and has developed over the years into a pool of experts on AI. The participating countries therefore expressed strong interest in sustaining this collaboration beyond the initial program. With Indonesia as an additional member, the network became even more diverse – proving the global relevance of AI governance.
Naivasha 2024: A milestone for cooperation
The network held its third gathering in October 2024 in Naivasha, Kenya. Twenty-two Policymakers from seven countries joined us. Participants explored localized AI policy development, covering National AI Strategies, Procurement Guidelines, bottom-up AI Practitioners Guides, Maturity Assessments, and governance frameworks.
A key theme was the need for robust regulatory frameworks while balancing innovations. Experts emphasized defining AI as a critical first step, with regulatory approaches ranging from principles-based and rights-based models to risk-focused frameworks. The African Union’s Continental Strategy on AI, published in August 2024, advocates for AI to bridge development gaps in agriculture, healthcare, and public services.
Generative AI: Potential and challenges
Generative AI was a central topic, highlighting both its transformative potential and risks. While large language models like GPT-x and Mistral dominate narratives, there was strong advocacy for localized models like InkubaLM, valued for resource efficiency and contextual relevance across several African languages.
Generative AI models can revolutionize sectors like healthcare and education, but their reliance on large-scale, low-resourced data environments risks perpetuating biases and undermining local autonomy.
Brian Gichana, AI and Technology Policy Expert
Paul Plantinga from the Human Sciences Research Council of South Africa emphasized the limitations of traditional AI audits:
Traditional audits don’t work for generative AI. We need an integrated framework that addresses governance, models, and downstream applications to ensure transparency and accountability.
Paul Plantinga, Human Sciences Research Council South Africa
Rama Devi Lanka from the Telangana government highlighted the role of local initiatives: “Telangana’s Responsible AI Working Committee exemplifies how governments can drive safe and inclusive AI adoption by prioritizing responsible innovation.”
(Rama Devi Lanka, Telangana government)
What’s next?
Looking ahead, the network will continue its work towards expanding cross-country collaboration, focusing on capacity building, ecosystem development, and policy exchange. Through these efforts, it is shaping a future where AI drives equity, transparency, and sustainable development across different countries in Africa and Asia.
The Africa-Asia AI Policymaker Network is supported by “FAIR Forward – Artificial Intelligence for All”, a project implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
