Measuring Africa's Readiness for Responsible AI
I am delighted to share the launch of the Africa AI Governance Index 2026, the first continent-wide benchmark designed in Africa to assess the state of AI governance across all 54 African countries.
It was a privilege to contribute to this landmark initiative as one of the researchers, leading the assessment of the North Africa subregion alongside an exceptional network of Lawyers Hub's Africa AI Policy Fellows and experts. The project represents a significant step towards strengthening evidence-based AI policymaking across the continent and providing governments, researchers, civil society, and the private sector with a common framework to understand where Africa stands in its AI governance journey.
Why the Index Matters
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming economies, public services, and societies around the world. Across Africa, governments are increasingly recognising both the opportunities and the risks associated with AI. As a result, many countries have begun developing national AI strategies, digital transformation agendas, and emerging governance frameworks.
However, one of the most important findings of the Africa AI Governance Index 2026 is the existence of a significant implementation gap.
While policy ambitions are growing across the continent, they are often not yet matched by:
Comprehensive legislation and regulatory frameworks;
Strong institutional capacity to oversee AI systems;
Sustainable financing for implementation;
Effective accountability and oversight mechanisms; and
Meaningful stakeholder participation throughout the AI governance lifecycle.
The Index evaluates countries across 80 indicators, providing a comprehensive and comparative assessment of AI governance readiness throughout Africa. Rather than simply measuring the existence of policies, it examines the broader ecosystem required to enable responsible, trustworthy, and inclusive AI.
Reflections from North Africa
Leading the assessment for North Africa offered valuable insights into both the diversity and the common challenges across the region.
Several countries have made encouraging progress in developing strategic visions for AI and positioning artificial intelligence within broader digital transformation agendas. Yet, similar to many parts of Africa, translating strategic vision into practical implementation remains an ongoing challenge.
This experience reinforced my belief that AI governance cannot stop at policy documents.
Effective AI governance requires institutions capable of implementing policy, regulators equipped with technical expertise, mechanisms for public accountability, investments in local talent and research, and inclusive governance processes that engage governments, academia, industry, civil society, and technical communities.
Equally important is regional cooperation. Many AI governance challenges—including cross-border data flows, standards, digital infrastructure, and regulatory interoperability—cannot be effectively addressed by countries acting alone.
Looking Ahead
As Africa continues to shape its digital future, initiatives like the Africa AI Governance Index provide an important evidence base for informed policymaking and regional collaboration.
I hope this Index serves not only as a benchmarking exercise but also as a practical tool for identifying priorities, tracking progress, and supporting more coordinated efforts to build human-centred, inclusive, and accountable AI ecosystems across the continent.
I am grateful to Lawyers Hub, the Africa AI Policy Fellowship community, my fellow researchers, and all the experts who contributed their knowledge and time to this collaborative effort. It has been an honour to contribute to a project that I believe will become an important reference for AI governance discussions in Africa.
As AI continues to evolve, governance must evolve with it—not only to manage risks but also to ensure that innovation delivers tangible social and economic benefits for all Africans.
Read the full Africa AI Governance Index 2026 report: https://lnkd.in/dDu6zkXm