Pan-African AI Ethics Fellowship Launches to Shape Safer and More Inclusive Artificial Intelligence Governance
A new Pan-African initiative has been launched to strengthen ethical oversight and governance of artificial intelligence as African countries rapidly adopt emerging technologies across key sectors. The programme brings together policymakers, tech experts, and civil society leaders in a coordinated effort to ensure AI systems are developed and deployed responsibly across the continent.
The initiative, known as the Pan-African AI Ethics and Governance Fellowship, was unveiled by the Policy Innovation Centre in partnership with the Africa Hub for Innovation & Development, with support from Luminate. The 12-week virtual programme is designed to build institutional capacity for safer, more inclusive, and accountable AI systems across Africa at a time when adoption is accelerating in healthcare, education, agriculture, and finance.
Organisers say the fellowship will train more than 50 mid- to senior-level professionals from government, academia, media, civil society, and the private sector. Participants will undergo expert-led training, mentorship, and policy labs aimed at developing practical governance tools that address issues such as algorithmic bias, data misuse, surveillance risks, and unequal access to AI benefits.
Speaking at the launch, Executive Director of the Policy Innovation Centre, Dr Osasuyi Dirisu, said the goal is to ensure Africa is not just reacting to global AI trends but actively shaping how these systems are governed. He stressed the importance of building local leadership capable of embedding ethics and inclusion into AI deployment, rather than relying on external regulatory frameworks.
Experts and participants also warned that while AI presents major opportunities for economic transformation, weak regulatory systems could expose African societies to risks such as misinformation, labour displacement, and exploitation. The fellowship is expected to create a long-term network of practitioners who can influence policy reforms and promote more equitable digital development across the continent.
source: punch