Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to be at the forefront of global discussions, shaping economies, industries, and everyday life. The AI Action Summit 2025, which wrapped up recently in Paris, infused fresh energy into this dialogue with a high-profile gathering. Now in its third year, the summit shifted its spotlight from earlier gatherings in the UK and Korea—where the focus leaned heavily on AI breakthroughs in the Global North—to a more inclusive stage. This time, African nations took a prominent role, pushing to influence the global AI agenda. The event highlighted the high-stakes race for AI dominance among world powers while showcasing AI’s potential to tackle pressing challenges in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and education worldwide.

Global Engagement from All Stakeholders

The Summit attracted a wide array of participants, including established big tech companies such as Google, OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft, Scale AI and Anthropic, along with innovative startups such as Mistral, CEOs, key players from Station F in Paris, and data science/AI platforms such as Zindi Africa, and AMD Silo AI.

Political leadership played a significant role, with a broad participation that highlighted AI’s significance  and the urgency of strategic investments in the field. The host, French President Emmanuel Macron, and EU President Ursula von der Leyen set the tone by making commitments to AI investments amounting to billions of dollars for the AI ecosystem in Europe. In addition to other high-level attendees were leaders from several  African nations, such as Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Togo. Their emphasis on accessibility, ethical development, and the need for international cooperation was evident in the adoption of the “Statement on Inclusive and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence for People and the Planet,” that was endorsed by 58 countries, including several African nations. Speaking to the Summit’s theme of opportunity, von der Leyen emphasized, “The AI race is far from over. The truth is, we are only at the beginning. The frontier is constantly moving and global leadership is still up for grabs. And behind the frontier, lies the whole world of AI adoption.”

Key Themes from the Summit

Throughout the discussions, several major themes emerged:

AI Literacy and Governance

AI literacy emerged as a cornerstone, with calls for an AI literacy toolkit at the EU level to educate citizens and policymakers—a need echoed in Africa, where digital divides amplify the urgency. The evolving regulatory landscape, including the newly introduced EU AI Act, was a topic of debate. While regulation is essential for safety and ethical considerations, some feared that excessive control could stifle innovation, a concern particularly noted by U.S. and Chinese stakeholders.

“Regulation and guardrails are essential for ensuring a level playing field, protecting data, and promoting good governance to prevent misuse while fostering innovation. However, for AI to be an equalizing force, regulations must strike a balance with innovation—especially in sectors like agriculture, health, and education, where AI can have the greatest impact.”

Leonard Mungarulire, Associate Partner, Dalberg Advisors

AI Risks, Ethics, and Guardrails

Ethical development remained a priority, as outlined in the Summit’s official statement—emphasizing the need for AI to be safe, secure, trustworthy. Without clear accountability, AI risks perpetuating bias and opacity, disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities. The recently published International AI Safety report highlighted risks and mitigation measures, particularly for general purpose AI. This is particularly relevant for Africa’s nascent AI policies, which must prevent technology from exacerbating inequalities. For resource-constrained nations, the AI Playbook offers a roadmap for navigating AI governance and development tailored to local contexts.

AI’s Role in the Future of Work

The impact of AI on employment and workforce transitions was a critical focus. The Paris Declaration, issued at the conclusion of the Summit, outlined the commitment of the signatory countries to developing and deploying AI in a responsible, ethical, and inclusive manner, emphasizing human control over AI systems and addressing potential risks while promoting the benefits of AI for society and the planet. The declaration received mixed reactions, particularly in relation to AI’s role in reshaping industries and the policies needed to safeguard workers’ interests.

Africa’s Strong Presence at the Summit

One of the most exciting aspects of the Summit was Africa’s strong representation—this was the first time Africa’s participation extended beyond governments and policymakers. Innovators, youth, and women played a significant role, and dedicated side sessions focused solely on Africa, marking a more inclusive and dynamic engagement.

The Africa AI Village, curated by organizations such as SMART Africa,  Qhala,  and Rwanda’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR), served as a dynamic platform showcasing Africa’s burgeoning AI ecosystem. The space attracted African hubs, such as Co-Creation Hub Africa and AI Hub Senegal, and startups including Digital Umuganda, Awari, and Fastagger, which presented innovative solutions that leverage AI for development. Civil society organizations such as the Global Center on AI Governance and top African academics on AI were actively engaged.

Philanthropic organizations such as the Gates Foundation, Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and FCDO have adopted a collaborative framework to deepen their engagement and investment in Africa’s AI ecosystem. They are focusing on the basics needed to make AI work—like data, compute, talent and human capital, and teamwork—to accelerate AI adoption, foster innovation and develop solutions for real-world challenges.

Additionally, representatives from multilateral organizations such as the UNDP and the World Bank expressed their support for the growth of Africa’s AI ecosystem. They emphasized the need to support startups, invest in capacity building, and make AI more accessible. For example, the UNDP, through the Timbuktoo initiative, seeks to support startups and foster Africa’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Ministers of digital economy and innovation from Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Togo engaged in conversations on key enablers of AI adoption, including a focus on:

• Digital and AI Infrastructure: The need for more data centers and computing power across Africa was a recurring theme. Africa faces a significant digital and AI infrastructure gap, with only 37% of the population online, compared to the global average of 67%, and just 1% of the world’s data center capacity. Moreover, there are very few high-end computing facilities needed for advanced AI research and big data processing on the continent, thereby stifling innovation. AI adoption remains low due to limited investment—African AI startups received only $220 million in 2023, a fraction of the $91.9 billion in global AI investment. High costs, insufficient connectivity, and limited AI research institutions further widen the gap, highlighting the urgent need for stronger policies, funding, and infrastructure development to ensure Africa’s digital and AI transformation is inclusive and competitive.
• Technology Innovation: Strategies for accelerating AI adoption and fostering homegrown innovations were explored.
• Policy Harmonization: Leaders emphasized the importance of agile regulations that foster innovation while ensuring responsible AI use.
• Talent and Capacity Building: The need for targeted AI technical skills and experience as well as AI literacy for policy makers and citizens was explored.
• Funding AI Development: Discussions centered on mobilizing private sector investment and forming collaborative funding mechanisms, with interest from organizations such as the Gates Foundation, FCDO, Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, and IDRC.

Another significant announcement was the upcoming launch of the AI Council for Africa, an initiative by SMART Africa and its partners, aimed at fostering cross-border collaboration in AI development and governance. The Council will comprise government representatives, private sector leaders, AI experts, civil society members, and academics—and is aimed at developing policies, fostering innovation, and creating an enabling environment for AI development in Africa.

Looking Ahead: The Global AI Summit on Africa

With the Paris Summit still fresh in February 2025, momentum is building up for the upcoming Global AI Summit on Africa, scheduled to take place in Kigali, Rwanda, from April 3-4, 2025. This event will offer a more focused lens on Africa’s AI opportunities and the concrete steps needed to unlock them at scale. A key question moving forward is: How can AI be leveraged to create meaningful opportunities for Africa’s youth, given that the future global workforce will largely reside on the continent?

As African governments, innovators, startups, and development partners collaborate and accelerate investments in AI, it is crucial to ensure a systems-thinking approach that integrates citizen voices, addresses societal challenges and embed ethical considerations to build a resilient and sustainable AI ecosystem in Africa.

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