Much of the conversation about artificial intelligence (AI) in Africa has focused on talent, startups, research, and infrastructure. The continent could soon find itself in more consequential conversations, like how AI will reshape warfare.
The debate is significant because Africa remains one of the world’s most conflict-affected regions. The continent accounted for over 40% of the world’s armed conflicts in 2025. As AI becomes embedded in military systems—from surveillance and targeting to autonomous drones—Africa will be among the first places to face the consequences of these technologies.
On Tuesday, Kenya was confirmed as the host of the Fourth Summit on Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain (REAIM), set for April 2027. The summit is the world’s leading forum on military AI governance, bringing together governments, defence officials, technology companies, and researchers to debate the technology’s military applications.
“Our discussion explored how Kenya can build practical connections between the REAIM process and the AI Action Summit, particularly around responsible AI, security, dual-use technologies, capacity building, and the role of states in shaping concrete implementation pathways,” Kenya’s special envoy on technology, Phillip Thigo, posted on his LinkedIn after meeting Reto Wollenmann, deputy head of Swiss Section for Arms Control and Disarmament.
