Good morning!

Welcome to this week’s Africa AI News email digest!

Lots of AI news across Africa this week! Kenya’s courts set a six-month deadline for AI regulation, while a new $2 billion subsea cable aims to boost connectivity; Ethiopia launched an AI residency programme for 51 innovators from 12 countries; Morocco’s CIRES partnered with NVIDIA on AI-powered smart ports; Uganda explored plans for a major AI hub; and Namibia advanced a regulatory sandbox for emerging technologies.

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/Carrington

High Court in Kerugoya (Credit: High Court in Kerugoya, Edited)

#Kenya #regulation - Kenya’s High Court has given the government and parliament until 13 May 2027 to finalise an AI legal and policy framework, following concerns over privacy and human rights. However, the court rejected requests to suspend public-sector AI deployments, citing insufficient evidence of rights violations. (Middle East AI News)

#Namibia #regulation - The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) is developing a regulatory sandbox to enable controlled testing of emerging technologies, including AI, satellite broadband, blockchain and IoT. The framework aims to address regulatory gaps, encourage digital investment and innovation, and improve connectivity in underserved rural areas. (The Brief)

#Zambia #digitaltransformation - Technology Minister Felix Mutati has outlined five priorities for Zambia’s digital transformation: Identity, Interoperability, Intelligence, Infrastructure and Inclusivity. The strategy aims to expand connectivity, integrate government services, strengthen AI adoption and improve financial inclusion. Mutati also proposed a Technology Advisory Panel to accelerate implementation. (Efficacy News)

#Zimbabwe #government - Zimbabwe’s Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan and National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2026–2030 aim to integrate public services into a unified digital ecosystem. Building on platforms including ZimConnect, TaRMS and e-Cadastre, the initiative seeks to streamline government transactions, improve data sharing and enable AI-powered public administration. (The Herald)

#Kenya #startups - The Nairobi International Financial Centre (NIFC) plans to establish a Sh65 billion ($500 million) fund to support startups and SMEs, allocating $250 million to technology and AI ventures. The initiative aims to address funding shortages and attract local and international venture capital investors to Kenya’s growing technology sector. (TechTrends)

#Ethiopia #innovation - The Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute has launched the Pan-African AI Ventures Residency Programme in Addis Ababa, bringing together 51 innovators from 12 African countries. The initiative aims to foster cross-border collaboration, support technology entrepreneurs and develop AI-powered solutions addressing Africa’s development challenges. (TechReview Africa)

#Uganda #AIhubs - President Yoweri Museveni has met US investor Mehamood Hosein, founder of Hive Global Group, to discuss establishing HIVE Uganda and The Global AI Village. The proposed initiative includes advanced computing centres, research facilities and digital skills training, aiming to position Uganda as a developer and exporter of AI-powered services. (Africa News Hunt)

#SouthAfrica #SMEs - Research commissioned by Amazon and conducted by World Wide Worx across 1,400 businesses reveals 59% of active online sellers use AI for marketing, but only 4% for inventory management. High costs (54%) and skills shortages (37%) hinder wider adoption, despite strong interest in affordable solutions. (ITWeb)

#Kenya #fintech - WayaWaya has partnered with Choice Bank to launch an AI-driven banking platform offering multi-currency accounts, local and international transfers, and utility payments. Regulated by Kenya’s central bank, the service will use AI to personalise banking dashboards and financial tools based on customers’ spending, saving and investment behaviour. (CIO Africa)

#Kenya #telecom - Seacom plans to complete a $2 billion subsea cable linking Africa and Asia by 2030, providing high-capacity connectivity to support Kenya’s AI ambitions. With Mombasa as a key landing point, the project aims to address growing bandwidth demands, improve network performance and support AI-driven businesses. (Africa Business Communities)

#Morocco #SmartPorts - CIRES Technologies, the technology arm of Tanger Med Group, is partnering with NVIDIA to deploy a sovereign AI Factory using Blackwell Ultra GPUs. Its CIRES MIND platform will support port safety, congestion analysis and cargo management, with plans to expand into smart cities and international markets. (Middle East AI News)

#Botswana #mining - Morupule Coal Mine has unveiled a three-phase strategy to transform its operations through artificial intelligence and data-driven technologies. The plan prioritises AI governance, cybersecurity and connected operations, followed by predictive maintenance and equipment monitoring, aiming to improve efficiency, safety and long-term competitiveness. (The Projects Magazine)

[ This newsletter was both AI edited & human edited ]