PSC Interview: Ethiopia charts Africa’s path to AI sovereignty
Abiy Ahmed’s AU mandate gives Addis Ababa the lead, but energy, skills and domestic funding will decide its reach.
Her Excellency Lemlem Fiseha Minale, Ethiopia’s ambassador to the African Union (AU), shared her hopes for African-financed energy, digital infrastructure, skills and governance that will allow the continent to develop artificial intelligence (AI) on its own terms.
Prime Minister Abiy’s appointment as AI champion places Ethiopia at the helm of implementing continental AI policies. What does this mean for the country and what are his priorities?
The appointment was opportune as Africa seeks its rightful place in the digital revolution. The priorities will include placing AI and digitalisation firmly on the policy agendas of African states and strengthening national and continental investment in digital literacy, cyber-infrastructure and digital startups. The Prime Minister will also promote cooperation to bridge the digital divide and ensure the inclusion of African languages.
He will lead efforts to develop responsible AI governance frameworks that promote ethical and accountable AI use. Drawing on Ethiopia’s growing experimental capability, the Prime Minister will advocate the application of AI to Africa’s development challenges, including improving agricultural productivity, healthcare, education and public service delivery.
What continental and national progress has been made since the 2024 publication of the AU AI strategy?
Despite continuing challenges – particularly in infrastructure, financing, skills development and effective governance – encouraging progress has been made in preparing for the practical application of AI. All AU member states are mainstreaming digitisation and countries are developing strategy-aligned national frameworks. Ethiopia has established an AI institute and is founding an AI university.
The AU Commission signed a memorandum of understanding with Google in February 2026 on cooperation in AI development and governance, research and innovation. It includes a commitment to train three million students and teachers across Africa by 2030, providing free access to tools such as Gemini Pro and additional support for local languages, including Amharic. The AU Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa's Development has launched a complementary continental AI roadmap, while regional economic communities such as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development are developing a common regional artificial intelligence framework and strategy.
Ethiopia has established an AI institute and is founding an AI university
The AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) has established an advisory group on AI, Peace, Security and Governance, which is crafting a common African position and an African charter on AI. During Ethiopia’s PSC chairship in April 2026, the Council addressed AI governance, peace and security – all key to achieving strategy targets, particularly generating wealth from AI and ensuring safe and secure use to advance society.
During Ethiopia’s recent chairship of the PSC, concerns were raised about the misuse of AI. How do you view the challenges and what sustainable measures should be taken?
AI-enabled cybercrime has increased markedly, while foreign and domestic non-state actors continue to use it to fabricate fake news and destabilise domestic politics. Its proliferation in the military and potential exploitation by terrorist groups are extremely worrying.
African countries’ data sovereignty is vulnerable because most AI companies are controlled by major powers outside the continent. Thus, African data could fall into the wrong hands. At its 1 339th meeting, the PSC called for stronger African AI governance and coordination through effective continental and national regulatory frameworks, accelerated development of a common African position on AI and policies to safeguard digital sovereignty.
Calls were voiced for faster integration of AI into continental peace and security mechanisms, particularly for early warning, conflict prevention and risk analysis. The need for stronger member-state capacity to identify and respond to emerging threats was emphasised. These efforts require investment in African AI infrastructure through domestic and international financing for digital infrastructure, research and skills development. They also need technology transfer and cooperation to enable Africa to develop, govern and benefit from AI on its own terms.
If implemented effectively, these decisions and other continental and national initiatives will ensure that Africa is not left behind in discussions about the future of AI.
AI and the digital economy have hastened the need for adequate energy provision and universal access
What steps should be considered to overcome uneven distribution of energy production and overdependence on external providers that compromises data control and ownership?
AI and the digital economy have hastened the need for adequate energy provision and universal access. Investment must increase to develop Africa’s diverse hydropower, geothermal, solar and wind resources, while nascent initiatives to build nuclear energy facilities should also be supported. Under the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa, the continent can ensure political commitment and financial resources to realise all energy projects, including the Grand Inga dams. Ethiopia is making significant strides, having completed the self-financed 6 000MW Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and launched an energy diversification programme.
African countries must build their own digital infrastructure and governance systems. The strategy’s ‘local first’ priority is crucial in supporting local talent and ecosystems. This will advance AI solutions that serve the public interest and respond to the continent’s needs and priorities, while respecting and preserving its cultural values and customs.
The Pan-African University Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation, hosted in Kenya, should prioritise AI and expand its reach through programmes across national universities. Investment is needed to integrate African languages through knowledge and infrastructure and to develop localised foundation models.
Also essential is a mass digital literacy programme such as Ethiopia’s five million coders initiative, which aims to mainstream data education among students and professionals of different ages, particularly schoolgoers.
Financing AI could overstretch African economies. How could the member states secure resources to safeguard AI sovereignty and reduce dependence on external providers?
Domestic financing and self-reliance should be priorities, combining public and private financing. The AU Digital Transformation Strategy (2020 to 2030) advocates partnerships among African actors and harmonised continental, regional and national digital entrepreneurship efforts.
Africa’s young population offers immense potential for innovation and creativity
Feasible measures include an online portal through which African entrepreneurs, startups and small and medium-sized enterprises could market their services and skills, and encouraging AU states to source services from local entrepreneurs. They also include creating a conducive environment for digital startups and financing innovation hubs with the private sector. Financing the digital economy is an investment in the future, with benefits across socioeconomic and security sectors. Bilateral and multilateral cooperation should be maximised while ensuring protection and security.
At the 1 339th session, the PSC asked the AU Commission to finalise the comprehensive study on AI’s impact and the common African position. What progress has been made and how could a common position make a difference?
The advisory group, comprising members from the continent’s five regions, is carrying out the Council’s instructions through consultations with national institutions, the private sector and experts. The PSC is to receive the group’s report at its forthcoming sessions.
How, in your view, could African countries, through the AU and individually, reap AI’s rewards and mitigate its risks ?
Achieving universal digital literacy quickly is essential. This will enable citizens to understand and actively participate in the digital economy. More affordable digital technology will broaden access to AI tools and infrastructure and reduce inequality in digital access.
Africa’s young population offers immense potential for innovation and creativity. Greater investment in startups and support for entrepreneurship can turn this potential into homegrown AI solutions. At the same time, countries must strengthen legislative and institutional capacity in data protection and cyber-governance to safeguard users and national security. This requires not only comprehensive legal frameworks that clearly define stakeholders’ responsibilities, but also consistent enforcement and transparency in digital operations.
Intra-African cooperation will allow countries to share knowledge, resources and best practices, ensuring that AI benefits the continent in a coordinated and sustainable manner.
