Artificial Intelligence

About East Africa AI Policy Hub

CIPIT continues to advance knowledge through evidence-based research that informs policy in Artificial Intelligence. Through a holistic and interdisciplinary approach, CIPIT has significantly contributed to shaping the evolving African AI landscape, particularly through the work of the AI Policy Center.

Over the past five years, we have built a nuanced understanding of the African AI ecosystem, especially within East Africa, through research, stakeholder engagement, training, knowledge-sharing sessions, collaborative activities, and policy influence.

These efforts have established CIPIT as a leading voice in AI governance and advancing its positioning as the East African AI Policy Hub (EA AI Policy Hub). This strategic positioning fosters a much-needed regional approach to developing responsible and ethical AI policy, both nationally and regionally. Further, note of CIPIT’s leadership is observed through its significant role in the development of the Kenya National AI Strategy.

State of Artificial Intelligence in Africa 2023

Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the African continent is gaining traction and will before long become profoundly significant in Africans’ day to day activities. This report highlights the potential of AI technologies in transforming the business, healthcare, legal and agricultural sectors in Africa. It also identifies significant gaps unique to Africa in realising the full potential of AI. The report focuses on four key thematic areas; AI and Data, AI and Innovation, AI Use in Health, Agriculture, Legal and Creative fields, and lastly Responsible AI. The policy brief highlights the current AI landscape in Africa and charts a path forward for policymakers in creating laws and policies that will facilitate AI innovation while protecting the public.

Conference on the State of Artificial Intelligence in Africa (COSAA) 2023

The Conference on the State of Artificial Intelligence in Africa (COSAA) took place at Strathmore University in Nairobi, Kenya from March 16 to March 17, 2023. Conference activities and sessions were streamed online for a global audience.

Day 1, March 16, 2023

Day 2, March 17, 2023

COSAA 2023 was an interdisciplinary gathering of AI and data stakeholders from the business community, ICT, academia, legal, policy, and regulatory fields, and civil society for a two – day event of inspiring keynote addresses, thought-provoking panels, and limitless high-value networking. The primary goal of COSAA was to broaden research and innovations in AI in Africa by promoting the exchange of ideas among attendees. The conference speakers covered the following topics:

1. Practical AI: AI use and impact in the health, agriculture, legal, and creative fields in Africa

2. AI and Data: Privacy and surveillance concerns and mitigation measures

3. Responsible AI: Policies, laws, and frameworks

4. AI and Innovation: Infrastructure, capacity, and data

COSAA 2023 Highlights

The next Conference on the State of AI in Africa will be held in 2025. More information about this will be announced soon.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy Fellowship: Foundations and Governance for Policy Makers

This Fellowship is an initiative of the EA AI Hub, designed to strengthen policy capacity on AI governance across the public sector. To date, the Fellowship has successfully equipped two cohorts of policymakers and regulators with the knowledge and tools required to engage with AI policy and governance challenges.

This fellowship is designed specifically for policymakers, regulators, and government officials involved in technology governance, public sector AI projects, or data policy frameworks.

Fellowship Objectives:

• Equip policymakers, regulators, and government officials with a robust understanding of AI fundamentals.

• Foster knowledge of AI governance, ethical frameworks, and regulatory best practices.

• Build a network of informed leaders capable of shaping effective AI policies.

Target Audience:

Regulators, policymakers, and government officials with roles in technology, innovation, or policy development.

Preference for candidates involved in technology governance, public sector AI projects, or data policy frameworks.

Duration- 4 months

COSAA & State of AI in Africa Report

State of AI in Africa Report-2025

The State of AI in Africa 2025 report provided an in-depth analysis of the continent’s AI landscape, documenting key developments, emerging challenges, policy gaps, and opportunities for responsible and inclusive AI adoption as of 2025. The report offered updated insights into Africa’s evolving AI landscape, building from the findings of the 2023 State of AI in Africa Report and following discussions from the 2nd Conference on the State of AI in Africa. The report serves as a critical resource for understanding Africa’s AI ecosystem, its opportunities, and the persistent gaps. Drawing insights into the continent’s regional and global positioning, the report lends an African and human rights lens, tracing the mold of a context-sensitive, inclusive and evolving AI ecosystem.

State of AI in Africa Report  -2023

The State of AI in Africa 2023 Report highlighted the potential of AI technologies to transform the business, healthcare, legal, and agricultural sectors in Africa. It also identified significant gaps unique to Africa in realising the full potential of AI as of 2023. The report focused on four key thematic areas; AI and Data, AI and Innovation, AI Use in Health, Agriculture, Legal and Creative fields, and Responsible AI. 

The State of AI in Africa 2023 Policy Brief highlighted the AI landscape in Africa and charted a path forward for policymakers to create laws and policies that will facilitate AI innovation while protecting the public.

Conference on the State of AI in Africa

The Conference on the State of AI in Africa (COSAA) is a biennial flagship conference hosted by CIPIT. COSAA convenes policymakers, researchers, industry actors, legal and regulatory experts, civil society organisations, and innovators to engage in informed dialogue on emerging AI trends, regulatory and policy frameworks, ethical considerations, and pathways for inclusive and responsible AI development. Through this convening, CIPIT facilitates collaboration, knowledge exchange, and evidence-based approaches that support context-sensitive AI governance and deployment across African countries.

COSAA 2025

The second edition of the Conference took place in June 2025 in Nairobi. Held under the theme “Shaping Responsible and Ethical AI Governance, Policy, and Regulation in Africa,” COSAA 2025 focused on priority areas including AI governance and regulation, data governance and sovereignty, intellectual property and innovation, and diversity and inclusivity in AI systems.Highlight video; Highlight video;

COSAA 2023

The first edition, held in March 2023, was marked by an interdisciplinary gathering of AI and data stakeholders from the business community, ICT, academia, legal, policy, and regulatory fields, and civil society for a two–day event featuring inspiring keynote addresses, thought-provoking panels, and limitless high-value networking. The primary goal of the first edition of COSAA was to broaden research and innovation in AI in Africa by better understanding the AI landscape in Africa, what it meant to define African AI, and further promoting the exchange of ideas among attendees. Highlight video