African policymakers, technology experts and civil society leaders have launched a continent-wide initiative aimed at strengthening ethical oversight of artificial intelligence as governments and businesses accelerate the adoption of emerging technologies across critical sectors of the economy.
The Policy Innovation Centre, in partnership with the Africa Hub for Innovation & Development and with support from Luminate, has unveiled the Pan-African AI Ethics and Governance Fellowship, a programme designed to build institutional capacity for safer, more inclusive and accountable AI systems across Africa.
The initiative comes as artificial intelligence technologies gain traction in healthcare, agriculture, education, financial services and public administration across the continent, raising both optimism about economic transformation and concerns over governance, accountability and social harm.
Organisers said the fellowship seeks to address widening fears around algorithmic bias, misuse of personal data, weak regulatory oversight and the risk of excluding vulnerable communities from the benefits of AI-driven innovation.
The 12-week virtual fellowship will convene more than 50 mid- to senior-level professionals drawn from government agencies, regulatory institutions, academia, civil society organisations, the media and private sector companies across Africa. Participants will undergo expert-led training sessions, mentorship programmes and policy labs focused on developing practical governance tools tailored to African realities.
