The 47th African Telecommunications Day, held virtually on December 6, 2024, focused on the continent's Artificial Intelligence (AI) ecosystem under the theme 'Accelerating Artificial Intelligence Adoption in Africa through Policy, Innovation, and Sustainable Development.' Emilia Nghikembua, a key speaker at the event, emphasized the urgent need for national AI frameworks to ensure Africa does not fall behind in AI adoption. The lack of harmonized regulatory frameworks across African countries poses a significant risk, as highlighted by experts who predict that AI could contribute $2.9 trillion to the continent's economy by 2030.
John Omo, another prominent figure at the conference, pointed out that the absence of sound policies is a major impediment to AI adoption in Africa. He noted that countries like Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda are making strides in AI applications, but without cohesive regulatory policies, these advancements may not be sustainable. The conference also featured a case study on the Green Hydrogen project, showcasing innovative approaches to sustainable development in the tech sector.
In a related discussion, Seizo Onoe from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) announced that over 100 AI standards have been published, which could serve as a foundation for developing effective regulatory policies. Amr Safwat urged participants to adopt the Continental AI Strategy to align with the aspirations of Agenda 2063, which aims for a prosperous and integrated Africa. This event underscores the critical need for regulatory frameworks that can support the rapid growth of AI technologies across the continent. [30d87b48]