Pan-African Parliament Launches AI Workshop to Build Capacity for Inclusive Digital Transformation

The President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), H.E. Chief Fortune Charumbira, on Saturday officially opened a two-day workshop on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Members of the Continental Parliament, underscoring the urgency of equipping legislators with the knowledge and tools to govern Africa’s digital transformation responsibly.

Held under the theme “Building Parliamentary Capacity for AI Governance and Inclusive Digital Transformation”, the workshop was convened at PAP’s Midrand precincts in partnership with the African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC).

AI at the Heart of Global Development

Chief Charumbira highlighted that AI dominated debates during the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA80) in New York, which he attended on behalf of PAP. “AI, once the subject of science fiction movies and novels, is undoubtedly the anchor of the future,” he declared. He stressed that Africa cannot afford to be a passive observer in this technological revolution but must become an active architect of an inclusive and ethical AI future.

He emphasized AI’s transformative potential across key sectors: from AI-powered diagnostics improving healthcare in remote villages, to intelligent agricultural systems boosting food security, to adaptive learning platforms reducing educational gaps, and to governance reforms that improve service delivery, transparency, and decision-making.

AI and the Renewal of Governance

The PAP President pointed out that poor governance in many African states, manifested in inefficiency, corruption, and bureaucratic bottlenecks has eroded citizen trust. He urged governments to harness AI and digital tools to reinvent governance as transparent, participatory, efficient, and data-driven.

He warned, however, that if governments fail to embrace digital transformation, non-state actors could exploit technology to destabilize nations, citing the Arab Spring and the recent Gen Z protests in Kenya as examples of how digital platforms can mobilize discontent.

Harnessing Africa’s Youth Bulge

Charumbira described Africa’s youth demographic as both a great asset and a looming challenge. With nearly 60% of the population under 25 and an estimated 30 million young people expected to enter the labour market annually by 2030, Africa risks deepening unemployment, migration pressures, and vulnerability to extremist recruitment if opportunities are not created.

He called on legislators to ensure that Africa is not only a consumer of AI but also a producer and beneficiary, leveraging AI to generate jobs, strengthen participatory democracy, and foster inclusive growth. “AI must not deepen the digital divide; it must help us bridge it,” he stated.

Balancing Promise with Risk

While optimistic about AI’s potential, the PAP President urged vigilance over its risks:

• Economic displacement from job automation,
• Digital colonialism if Africa becomes dependent on imported technologies,
• Bias and exclusion embedded in algorithms, and
• Loss of sovereignty if foreign actors control African data and digital systems.

The Role of Parliamentarians

Chief Charumbira stressed that parliamentarians must lead the way in shaping Africa’s AI trajectory. He outlined seven priority areas:

1. Policy and Regulation – Crafting robust legislation on data protection, cybersecurity, and ethical AI.
2. Ethical Oversight – Ensuring AI systems uphold African values of dignity, equality, and justice.
3. Capacity Building – Expanding digital literacy, research, and technical education.
4. Pan-African Collaboration – Harmonizing AI policies and sharing best practices across AU institutions.
5. Peer Learning – Encouraging national parliaments to exchange experiences.
6. Championing Inclusivity – Bridging access gaps for women, youth, people with disabilities, and rural populations.
7. Supporting the AU Digital Transformation Strategy (2020–2030) in alignment with Agenda 2063.

Shaping Africa’s Future

In conclusion, Chief Charumbira insisted that Africa’s AI future must be deliberately shaped by Africans themselves. “The question is not whether Africa will be affected by AI. It is whether we will shape AI to serve the African people, or whether we will allow others to shape it for us,” he warned.

He expressed gratitude to PAP members, staff, and partners, particularly APHRC, for supporting the workshop. “AI adoption does not begin with tools; it begins with leaders. When leaders model curiosity, transparency, and action, transformation becomes a shared reality,” he said.