AU AI Strategy
Defines how 55 countries approach AI adoption and rule-making — and the arena where EU regulatory, US commercial and Chinese infrastructure-led governance models compete most directly for influence.
What it is
The AU's continental strategy centers development, African data sovereignty, capacity building and harmonized governance, with member states developing national AI policies (Rwanda, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt among leaders) under its umbrella.
Who is affected
Defines how 55 countries approach AI adoption and rule-making — and the arena where EU regulatory, US commercial and Chinese infrastructure-led governance models compete most directly for influence.
Key obligations
- Non-binding: national AI strategy development, data sovereignty measures, skills investment
Recent signals
South Africa gazettes its Draft National AI Policy for comment
The Cabinet-approved draft from the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies covers governance, ethics and sector use; consultation closed 10 June 2026.
Related instruments
- EUEU AI ActThe world's first comprehensive, risk-based AI law. It bans a set of unacceptable practices (social scoring, manipulative AI, most…
- EUEU Digital OmnibusThe first formal simplification of the AI Act. Adopted July 2026, it delays high-risk obligations to December 2027 (standalone Ann…
- EUAI Liability DirectiveThe Commission withdrew its proposed AI Liability Directive in February 2025, citing no foreseeable agreement. Civil liability for…
- ITItaly AI LawItaly became the first EU member state with a national AI law, layering sector rules (healthcare, work, justice, public administra…
- USEO 14179Revoked the 2023 Biden AI executive order and reoriented federal AI policy toward removing regulatory barriers and securing US AI …