Pan-African Parliament Debates a Continental AI Framework, Digital Sovereignty, and Smart Innovation for Africa’s Future

In a session defined by both urgency and vision, the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) on Friday turned its focus to what many believe will define Africa’s place in the 21st century global order: the regulation, adoption, and ownership of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital data. Themed “Building a Continental Framework for AI, Data Sovereignty, and Responsible Digital Innovation,” the day’s deliberations echoed across political, economic, technological, and cultural lines.

Two major presentations framed the day’s discussions: the first by Prof. Dr. Mirjam van Reisen, a renowned scholar from Leiden University, and the second by Dr. Anthony Mveyange, Director of Programs at the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC). This was followed by the presentation of the Report of the Africa Digital Parliamentary Summit, delivered by Hon. Behdja Lammali, Chairperson of the PAP Committee on Transport, Industry, Communications, Energy, Science and Technology, supported by the Committee on Health, Labour and Social Affairs.

AI and Africa’s New Sovereignty Struggle: Framing the Debate

Standing before a packed chamber, Prof. van Reisen delivered a stirring address likening Africa’s current digital vulnerability to a new wave of “digital colonialism.” Her message was clear: if Africa does not reclaim its data and build its own AI infrastructure, it will remain a passive consumer in a world increasingly shaped by algorithms and machine learning.

“Without control over data, Africa is in danger of entering a new age of colonialism,” she warned. “One where digital information on health, finance, and education is exported abroad, used without African consent or benefit.”

Van Reisen called for a move away from centralized AI platforms hosted in foreign data centers. Instead, she proposed a decentralized data model rooted in African universities, hospitals, and institutions, what she referred to as “FAIR-OLR architecture” (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable with Ownership, Locale, and Regulatory compliance).

The APHRC Warning: A Digital Divide That Could Derail Africa’s Future

Dr. Mveyange picked up where Prof. van Reisen left off, sounding the alarm over Africa’s digital lag. While the rest of the world races into the AI era, over 700 million Africans remain offline, and only 27% of the continent is connected to mobile internet.

His presentation was laced with statistics and real-world case studies, from maternal health prediction tools in Nigeria to cry-based neonatal diagnostics in Kenya. His key argument is that AI must serve African realities, and this requires bold policy, investment, and regulation, led by legislators.

“AI is not just about technology. It is about governance, equity, and sovereignty,” he declared.

From Summit Report to Parliamentary Resolve

Hon. Lammali then presented the outcomes of the Africa Digital Parliamentary Summit held in Lusaka earlier this month. The summit, she said, was a turning point as PAP members were not just observers but became active architects of Africa’s digital destiny. Discussions there covered:

• Digital health: its promises, such as improved diagnostics and recordkeeping, and its pitfalls, including low infrastructure, electricity challenges, and limited digital literacy.
• Smart manufacturing: Africa’s opportunity to leap from 1.9% global manufacturing share to a strategic global player if AI, automation, and policy align.
• Data protection and cybersecurity: the urgent need to ratify the Malabo Convention and develop cohesive continental legislation.

Parliamentarians Call for Action on Digital Sovereignty and AI Regulation

The plenary then opened for debate, with more than two dozen Members of Parliament rising to make passionate and technically astute interventions.

Hon. Fateh Boutbig (Algeria) framed AI as a matter of national defense and sovereignty, pointing to Algeria’s cutting-edge cybersecurity laws and national institutions dedicated to AI and digital protection. He called on the continent to emulate Algeria’s investment in universities and training centers that are open to African students continent-wide.

Hon. Elizabeth Masuku (Zimbabwe) underscored the need for a values-based continental AI framework. She cited Zimbabwe’s rural internet access programs and hailed the arrival of Starlink as a game-changer for inclusion and education.

Hon. Happymore Chidziva (Zimbabwe) offered a cultural lens, calling for AI to help preserve traditional medicine, languages, and oral history. His message: “Invest in AI, preserve our culture, and drive inclusive innovation.”

Hon. Safia Elmi Djibril (Djibouti) raised a red flag about Africa’s infrastructure readiness, warning that “we may be putting the cart before the horse” by racing into AI without addressing basic connectivity. She shared Djibouti’s bold step of passing a national Digital Code this year, but questioned who truly benefits if only 30% of Africans are online.

Hon. Esther Passaris (Kenya) took a hard stance against “digital colonialism,” calling for ratification of the Malabo Convention and the creation of AI ethics boards across Africa.

Hon. Yoba Balde (Senegal) was poetic and pointed: “Let’s not build the wealth of others with African data.” He argued that data is Africa’s new gold, and must be governed, stored, and monetized locally.

Hon. Dr. Kesitegile Gobotswang (Botswana) proposed the creation of a continental cybersecurity coordination center and likened cyber threats to traditional military threats that are equally dangerous, but less visible.

Hon. Danson Mungatana (Kenya) and Prof. Mahamat Annadif Youssouf (Chad) both pushed for a PAP-led African AI Charter to harmonize legislation and embed sovereignty and ethics into law.

From Tunisia, Hon. Cheniti Awatef and Hon. Ben Salah Aymen celebrated their country’s AI strides in public health and education, calling for a continental data registry and stronger institutions to curb youth brain drain.

Hon. Salem Gnan (Libya) reminded members that without technological self-determination, Africa’s resource wealth would continue to be exploited without added value.

The Expert Responses: From Theory to Action

In response to the robust parliamentary engagement, the experts weighed in once more:

• Prof. van Reisen emphasized the importance of decentralized, African-owned data systems and declared, “Africa can and must shape AI on its own terms starting with who owns, governs, and benefits from its data.”
• Dr. Mveyange revealed APHRC’s plans to support PAP with technical training, AI policy development, and partnerships, including a September training session and possible future exchanges with China’s Mobile World Congress.
• Hon. Lammali closed with a warning that “Technology without rules becomes a threat. Let us invest in innovation, but also in regulation that protects dignity.”

Resolutions and the Road Ahead

The Parliament is now expected to:

• Develop model AI legislation that can be adapted by AU Member States;
• Establish formal partnerships with APHRC and GSMA for training and policy support;
• Push for the domestication of the Malabo Convention across all Member States;
• Consider the adoption of a continental AI ethics charter and possibly a digital sovereignty index.

Africa’s Moment

The debates revealed one thing above all: the Pan-African Parliament recognizes that AI is not tomorrow’s issue: it is today’s challenge and opportunity. Whether in health, education, manufacturing, or governance, Africa’s future is being written not just in code but in laws, investments, and institutional courage.

As Hon. Lomi Bedo Kumbi of Ethiopia aptly stated:

“AI is not a luxury. It is a necessity. And as parliamentarians, we must lead with responsibility, urgency, and vision.”