TLDR: Africa has officially launched the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) AI Institute (ACAII), a landmark initiative aimed at fostering ethical, inclusive, and contextually relevant Artificial Intelligence innovation, governance, and research across the continent. Supported by international partners, ACAII seeks to harness AI’s transformative potential for economic growth and sustainable development.
Africa has reached a pivotal moment in its commitment to shaping a responsible and regionally pertinent future for Artificial Intelligence (AI) with the official inauguration of the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) AI Institute (ACAII) on July 16, 2025. This groundbreaking initiative is specifically designed to advance ethical, African-centered AI innovation, governance, and research throughout the continent.
AI holds immense potential to revolutionize Africa, promising significant boosts to economies, improvements in governance systems, and enhancements in public services. Despite a currently low deployment rate, access to AI technologies is rapidly expanding. McKinsey estimates that the current adoption of AI could unlock an additional $61 billion to $103 billion in economic value across various sectors in Africa.
The establishment of ACAII has received crucial backing from the AI for Development (AI4D) program, which is supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). Kathryn Toure, Director for the Regional Office of Sub-Saharan Africa at IDRC, commended the AI4D Scholarship Program for its role in bridging the AI divide. She highlighted its success in empowering researchers and innovators from historically disadvantaged communities to develop and scale AI solutions specifically tailored to African needs.
Rooted in the vision of an African-centered AI future, ACAII is dedicated to cultivating ethical, inclusive, and contextually relevant AI solutions. These solutions are intended to empower communities, stimulate economic growth, and drive sustainable development across the continent.
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During his keynote address, Dr. Laurent Bochereau, Minister-Counsellor for the European Union Delegation to the African Union, underscored the enduring 25-year partnership between the AU and EU in science, technology, and innovation. He drew attention to Horizon Europe, the EU’s substantial €100 billion research and innovation program, which includes a dedicated Africa Initiative. The latest iteration, Africa Initiative III, earmarked for the 2025 budget year, has allocated €500 million for 26 topics, notably including a specific call for Generative AI.
