Africa Internet Governance Forum 2025

Description
On March 31, 2025, African nations achieved a pivotal milestone by officially endorsing the Africa Declaration on Artificial Intelligence. This groundbreaking framework represents not only a unified continental vision but also a transformative commitment to harnessing Artificial Intelligence responsibly, inclusively, and autonomously. Rooted in the principles of equity, transparency, respect for human rights, and regional solidarity, the Declaration provides a strategic blueprint for Africa to chart its own destiny in the rapidly evolving AI landscape while safeguarding against the perils of unregulated systems or foreign dominance.

However, the true test lies in operationalizing these ambitious commitments. The challenge of translating principles into tangible actions is particularly pronounced in civic spaces, where the misuse of AI technologies poses a critical threat. Across Africa, AI and other emerging technologies are reshaping fundamental aspects of society from digital identification systems and public service efficiency to invasive surveillance practices, disinformation campaigns, and algorithmic biases that marginalize vulnerable populations.

This timely initiative seeks to empower stakeholders with actionable strategies for implementing the Africa AI Declaration at national and subnational levels. By focusing on areas like digital economy, participation, civil society engagement, and protections for vulnerable communities, the workshop aims to drive meaningful change, ensuring AI serves as a tool for progress rather than harm.

Target Audience
Civic tech developers, AI practitioners, civil society leaders, policymakers, human rights advocates, legal experts, youth innovators, journalists, and researchers focused on digital transformation and governance.

Rationale
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies are increasingly shaping public policy, service delivery, and citizen-state interactions across Africa. However, without proper safeguards, their deployment poses significant risks particularly to privacy, equity, democratic participation, and human rights. The signing of the Africa Declaration on Artificial Intelligence on March 31, 2025, represents a continental milestone toward responsible, ethical, and inclusive AI development. Yet, a gap remains between high-level commitments and practical implementation, especially within civic spaces that are vulnerable to misuse of AI systems. This workshop responds to that gap by offering a platform to localize and operationalize the Declaration’s principles, empowering stakeholders to co-create governance models that foster transparency, accountability, and trust in Africa’s AI future.