Pan-African Parliament Hosts Groundbreaking Workshop on AI Governance in Partnership with APHRC

The Pan-African Parliament (PAP), with support from the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), convened a transformative two-day training workshop on Artificial Intelligence (AI) Governance at its precincts in Midrand, South Africa on September 27 and 28. The workshop marked a major step in building the legislative capacity of African parliamentarians to shape responsible and inclusive AI policies.

The programme, livestreamed in multiple languages on the Pan-African Parliament’s YouTube channel, focused on AI Policy and Legislation, AI Regulation in Practice, and AI in Parliaments.

Global and Comparative Insights

International expertise enriched the training, with presentations by:

• Andy Richardson, Programme Manager, Parliamentary Standards, International Parliamentary Union (IPU)
• Andy Williamson, Senior Researcher, Centre for Innovation in Parliament, IPU
• Hon. Brando Benifei, Member of the European Parliament & Co-Chair of the AI Act Working Group
• Dr. Agnes Najjuko Kasirye Kiragga, Head of Data Science Programmes, APHRC

Their contributions underscored inter-parliamentary collaboration as a cornerstone of shaping effective AI governance. Insights from Europe and the IPU offered comparative lessons for Africa, reinforcing PAP’s leadership role in advancing the continent’s voice in global digital policy.

African Leadership and Ownership in AI

In a powerful intervention, Dr. Anthony Francis Mveyange, APHRC’s Director of Programmes, urged parliamentarians to seize Africa’s moment to lead in AI:

• On capacity: Africa already has the skills and expertise to build data systems and AI platforms. The challenge lies in directing resources to strengthen local infrastructure instead of outsourcing.
• On disruption: Echoing Schumpeter’s “creative destruction,” he argued that AI disruption can be turned into opportunity if governments invest in upskilling citizens.
• On sovereignty: He warned against “helicopter research” and dependence on foreign systems, citing USAID’s health data case as a wake-up call. Data must be treated as a matter of national security.
• On education: Africa must decolonize education systems to reflect local contexts and stem brain drain by enabling young innovators.
• On global positioning: He cautioned, “America has a strategy for Africa, Europe has a strategy for Africa, China has a strategy for Africa; but Africa does not yet have a clear strategy for them.”
• On parliamentary leadership: He challenged PAP to push Member States to adopt actionable AI strategies, invest in R&D, and position Africa as a creator, not a passive consumer, of AI.

“No one will come to save Africa if we don’t act. We have the power, the knowledge, and the people. Now we must summon the political will to make AI serve Africa’s future.” – Dr. Mveyange

Parliamentarians’ Reflections

PAP Members of Parliament highlighted both the transformational opportunities and serious risks of AI for Africa’s democracy and development. Key takeaways included:

• Mapping AI risks to reform digital codes and strengthen governance.
• Urgent calls for data sovereignty to protect African datasets from foreign control.
• Recognizing AI’s potential to safeguard democracy by combating misinformation, deepfakes, and electoral manipulation.
• Bridging infrastructure and capacity gaps through regional cooperation and investment in local data centres.
• Integrating research, law, and policy to ensure AI remains ethical, inclusive, and sovereign.
• Fast-tracking the ratification of the Malabo Convention on data protection.

AI in Public Policy and Data Governance

Mr. Henry Owoko (APHRC) and Mr. Daniel Mwanga (APHRC) highlighted AI’s potential in governance:

• Citizen engagement: Faster, data-driven feedback loops between leaders and communities.
• Monitoring and evaluation: Real-time solutions for crises like COVID-19.
• Public service delivery: More efficiency, though with employment and ethical trade-offs.
• Policy design: Tools such as PolicyLens AI to support legislators with evidence-based insights.

Mwanga stressed that data governance is Africa’s “next frontier”, urging rapid ratification of continental frameworks and strong protections against misuse.

Building Research and Innovation Capacity

Dr. Flora Katanu (APHRC) emphasized multi-level capacity building:

• Training individuals, institutions, and regional bodies.
• Tackling weak linkages between universities, policymakers, and development actors.
• Expanding AI-enabled tools such as APHRC’s Virtual Academy for multilingual training and research support.

She warned against siloed research, calling for shared data repositories to strengthen Africa’s self-sufficiency and avoid duplication.

APHRC’s Role in Transforming Africa’s Future

Dr. Agnes Kiragga showcased AI-driven projects in mental health, climate resilience, and healthcare decision-making, alongside cross-border initiatives like Data Science Without Borders.

She projected that AI could raise Africa’s GDP by $2.9 trillion, provided six pillars are prioritized: data, talent, infrastructure, governance, use cases, and investment.

“AI is inevitable, like the internet; it will shape our societies whether we act or not. Africa must move from consumer to creator.” – Dr. Kiragga

The Road Ahead

The workshop concluded with MPs’ reflections and the unveiling of a Roadmap for an Annual Parliamentary Digital Summit, anchored on the Lusaka Declaration. Certificates of completion were awarded to participating MPs, affirming PAP’s commitment to continuous learning in the digital age.

Dr. Anthony Francis Mveyange closed with a call to action: “Data governance is the key to Africa’s digital future. The Pan-African Parliament can ensure Africa’s data works for Africans—building sovereignty, inclusion, and trust in the age of AI.”

Conclusion

This landmark workshop represents more than training; it is the beginning of Africa’s parliamentary journey to shape its own AI future. Through collaboration, capacity-building, and a united legislative voice, PAP is positioning Africa not as a bystander but as a global leader in responsible and inclusive AI governance.