Africa is preparing to launch a groundbreaking $60 billion AI Fund, designed to channel public, private, and philanthropic capital into building a secure, inclusive, and globally competitive AI economy.
The bold initiative was unveiled through a declaration at the Global AI Summit on Africa, held recently in Kigali, Rwanda. With a clear ambition, the declaration aims to harness AI’s transformative potential to fuel innovation, sharpen Africa’s global competitiveness, and accelerate the growth of its economies, industries, and societies.
Central to the plan is positioning Africa as a global leader in ethical, trustworthy, and inclusive AI adoption. The declaration further commits to promoting the sustainable and responsible design, development, deployment, and governance of AI technologies across the continent.
The memorandum was steered by Qhala, Smart Africa, and Rwanda’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, with strategic backing from the Gates Foundation.
Qhala, a digital transformation leader focused on advancing AI innovation in Africa, emphasized the collective momentum behind the initiative. In a statement, the organization said the declaration represents “a shared commitment among African nations to align national strategies with continental goals, safeguard data sovereignty, build digital infrastructure, and foster a sustainable AI innovation ecosystem.”
Africa’s AI landscape is evolving at a remarkable pace, with projections estimating AI will contribute up to $2.9 trillion to the continent’s economy by 2030, according to Qhala. “This declaration is timely, as Africa’s AI ecosystem is rapidly evolving but remains fragmented and underfunded. This will ensure that Africa takes its place in a leadership role in global AI development,” said Shikoh Gitau, CEO of Qhala.
Lacina Koné, CEO of Smart Africa, added: “AI is not just technology to us, it’s an African arrow that, when thrown with the right ethical frameworks and inclusive policies, can pierce the way to African digital prosperity and resilience for the benefit of every citizen.”
Alongside these efforts, Ghana is also laying critical foundations for digital transformation. Through its One Million Coders program, Ghana is training one million citizens in coding and digital skills, equipping a new generation to drive innovation and power Africa’s emerging AI economy.
As global demand for ethical and innovative AI solutions surges, the bold step signals a new era where the continent not only participates but leads in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
