TLDR: South Africa, under its G20 Presidency, has launched a ministerial task force on Artificial Intelligence, data governance, and sustainable development. Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi emphasized the critical need for ethical AI practices and robust governance frameworks to prevent deepening inequalities, amplifying biases, and eroding trust as AI becomes more integrated into daily life. The nation is also developing its own comprehensive national AI policy, aiming to ensure AI benefits all humanity, particularly developing economies.
Cape Town, South Africa – October 1, 2025 – South Africa has taken a pivotal role on the global stage, leading the G20 ministerial task force on Artificial Intelligence (AI), data governance, and sustainable development. At the opening of the task force meeting in Cape Town, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, issued a strong call for the implementation of ethical AI practices and comprehensive governance frameworks.
Minister Malatsi highlighted that as AI increasingly permeates various aspects of human life, it brings with it new responsibilities. He cautioned that rapid AI adoption without adequate ethical guardrails could exacerbate existing inequalities, amplify biases, and undermine public trust. “These realities highlight the urgent need for effective governance frameworks and shared principles to ensure AI works in the service of all humanity,” Malatsi stated. He further emphasized, “It reminds us that global dialogue on AI must be matched by practical action, capacity-building and resource mobilisation, particularly for developing economies.”
The establishment of this task force aligns with South Africa’s G20 Presidency program, marking the first time an African nation has held this prestigious position. The initiative underscores the presidency’s commitment to prioritizing AI, data governance, and innovation as crucial enablers for sustainable and inclusive development.
Malatsi pointed out that the advancement of AI is already presenting significant challenges, including concerns related to data privacy, discrimination, misinformation, and unequal access. He also warned against the risks of bias, exclusion, and linguistic inequity, advocating for greater investment in low-resource language models and the establishment of global standards for AI safety and transparency.
In line with these objectives, South Africa is actively engaged in crafting its own comprehensive national policy on AI. This policy aims to ensure that AI systems reflect African languages and realities, working in collaboration with organizations like UNESCO on toolkits to address AI bias.
The minister also stressed the importance of bridging the digital divide, noting that approximately 2.9 billion people worldwide still lack internet access. He asserted that if AI is to truly catalyze inclusive development, then connectivity, affordability, and access must be central to the global agenda. “Connectivity is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity,” Malatsi declared.
South Africa’s vision for its G20 Digital Economy Presidency encompasses four key pillars: bridging the digital divide, building inclusive digital public infrastructure, nurturing innovation ecosystems, and championing ethical AI. The nation also plans to launch a Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Innovation Accelerator, inspired by India’s Aadhaar and UPI systems, to promote scalable, open-source digital tools while prioritizing cybersecurity and data protection.
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Looking ahead, an ‘AI for Africa’ initiative is planned to develop AI-ready datasets, critical skills, and inclusive governance frameworks for the continent. Malatsi concluded with a powerful message: “We must steer digital transformation toward the common good. If addressed through cooperation, the digital revolution can drive unprecedented inclusion and equity.” He urged G20 members to focus on the real-world impact of their decisions, stating, “Let us not situate our work solely in the language of policies and frameworks, but in the lived experiences of millions who remain excluded from digital opportunity. Let us continue to work with Solidarity, pursue Equality, and design for Sustainability.”
