Latest news with #MalaboConvention
The Star
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Experts call for African-led security solutions, digital innovation
KIGALI, May 20 (Xinhua) -- Security and governance experts, speaking at a high-level panel session during the International Security Conference on Africa (ISCA) in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, on Tuesday, called for homegrown solutions to tackle the continent's pressing security challenges and leverage digital transformation for economic growth. Held under the theme "Reshaping Africa's Landscape in a Dynamic, Complex Global Environment," the two-day forum brought together over 1,000 security professionals, policymakers, researchers, and international partners from across Africa and beyond to deliberate on terrorism, cyber threats, political instability, and transnational crime. Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu, president of the Africa School of Governance, an institution in public policy and leadership education, said, "Africa's economic future depends on our ability to move up the value chain. This is critical not just for trade, but for balancing power in the global marketplace." Noordin Haji, director general of Kenya's National Intelligence Service, underscored the gap between intelligence collection and legal prosecution. "We have long struggled to convert intelligence into admissible evidence. Intelligence must support law enforcement and judicial systems effectively," he said. Haji also warned against blindly adopting foreign-developed AI systems. "Whatever is created out there is not necessarily for our convenience. Africa must shape its own AI policies that reflect our realities and preserve our cultural values." Rwandan Minister of Information and Communications Technology and Innovation Paula Ingabire emphasized the country's commitment to digital security. "As we push for interoperable digital systems, we are also implementing a zero-trust framework. No device or system is automatically trusted," she said. Ingabire said that Rwanda is a signatory to the Malabo Convention, reinforcing its dedication to international cooperation on cybersecurity. The conference marked the official launch of ISCA as a pan-African platform for security dialogue, policy coordination, and innovative solutions tailored to Africa's unique context.
Business Insider
10-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
The African Union AI policy framework sets standards for data sovereignty
The AI strategy of the African Union prioritizes data sovereignty, digital infrastructure, and cross-border regulation, with 22 countries supporting a national structure. The African Union (AU) officially adopted its continental artificial intelligence (AI) strategy in July 2024 A key focus is the AU's data policy framework and the Malabo Convention, creating comprehensive and uniform data governance across member nations. By April 2025, 22 member states received technical support for national AI strategy adoption The African Union in July 2024, formally adopted its continental artificial intelligence (AI) strategy during its 45th ordinary session in Ghana's Accra. The strategy promotes a growth-first approach to AI, based on five goals: the creation of abilities, reducing risks, attracting investment, promoting cooperation, and ensuring Africa benefits from AI innovation. Fifteen policy focus areas are outlined, including moral rules to digital infrastructure. In February 2025, at the AI Action Summit in Paris, AU leaders officially recognized data sovereignty as a fundamental principle. The member states agreed that the data generated within their boundaries should remain under national control. This means that data usage from across all borders should follow local laws, and sovereignty is also preserved in digital space. To strengthen this, AU is relying on two major pieces of equipment. The first is the AU data policy framework, which was adopted in 2022, outlining a continental vision for safe data flow, privacy protection, and coordinated governance. It asks for independent, well-funded data protection officers who have the power to issue violations, ban processing, and coordinate borders. The second is the Malabo Convention, a legal framework adopted in 2014 and implemented from June 2023. It laid the foundation for harmonizing data protection laws throughout the continent. Member states are encouraged to confirm and implement their rules to continuously preserve the right to privacy. To support digital trade and AI-operated services, AU implements a digital single market. Under the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol, the border-crossing data flow will be regulated, which will ensure alignment with data sovereignty, promoting AI investment and e-commerce growth. This vision is an important digital infrastructure, including electricity, broadband, data centers, and computing systems. AU's strategy looks necessary to enable them to enable research, empower startups, and close the digital divide. By April 2025, 22 member states had received AU technical assistance to develop national AI strategies. Auda - Distributed through NEPAD and other institutions, it helps countries to align with the continental structure. States are now urged to adopt AU policies in funding projects through national law, public-private partnership, and implement flexible, locally informed rules. Data sovereignty - The digital power shift AU's AI is a firm stand on data sovereignty at the center of AI strategy. African nations are claiming complete control over data generated within their borders, ensuring that foreign institutions cannot take advantage of local data without consent. This change strengthens countries to determine how their data is stored, used, and how privacy, national interests, and economic values are considered. By anchoring AI development in sovereign data governance, AU is rejecting data dependence and determining clear digital boundaries. It also ensures that the digital resources of Africa first benefit their people, not external corporations or governments. The 2025 AI agenda of the AU balances national data control with the requirement of regional integration. The Global AI Summit in Kigali continued in April 2025, where African leaders echoed the AU's call for data sovereignty and harmed digital rule. With coordinated governance, safe cross-limit flow, and infrastructure investment, Africa is laying the foundation.
