RFC-029: AU Continental AI Strategy — African-Centric Governance — 1. Problem Statement
AIGP Specification › RFC-029: AU Continental AI Strategy — African-Centric Governance › 1. Problem Statement
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RFC-029: AU Continental AI Strategy — African-Centric Governance
PRIVATE AND PROPRIETARY — NOT A PUBLIC RFC. Owned by Kanjani AI Research & Causum. See NOTICE.md.
Status: DRAFT
Authors: Kanjani AI Research & Causum
Date: 2026-06-17
1. Problem Statement
The African Union Continental AI Strategy (adopted July 2024, Accra) establishes governance requirements distinct from both the EU AI Act and IHL frameworks. It addresses the specific context of AI deployment in Africa — where:
- 55 nations with diverse legal systems, languages, and development levels must cooperate
- Ubuntu (interconnectedness of humanity) is a foundational governance principle, not individual rights alone
- Power asymmetry means African nations often consume AI produced elsewhere, without sovereignty over its governance
- Development context means AI governance must simultaneously enable socio-economic progress and prevent harm
- Cultural preservation is a governance requirement — AI must not erode African knowledge systems, languages, or values
- Data sovereignty is critical — African data must serve African interests, not be extracted for external benefit
- Vulnerable populations (youth, women, rural communities, displaced persons) require explicit inclusion mechanisms
The EU AI Act (RFC-028) focuses on risk classification and market regulation. IHL (RFC-027) focuses on conflict contexts. The AU Strategy focuses on equitable development, cultural sovereignty, and inclusive governance — a fundamentally different paradigm that AIGP must support.