The Executive Director for Africa at
Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University, Philip
Thigo has called for a more structured and continuous dialogue between Africa
and the G7, aiming to align Africa’s interests with the Global Digital Compact
and ensuring Africa’s voice is heard in shaping the digital future. His remarks
were made during the G7 Industry and Technology Ministerial Meeting held in
Rome, Italy, where global leaders gathered to discuss critical advancements in
technology and economic development.
In his address, Ambassador Thigo who
is also Kenya’s Special Envoy on Technology stressed that Africa’s emerging
role in the digital economy must be recognized and supported through strategic
partnerships, particularly in the development of artificial intelligence (AI).
Speaking on behalf of Kenya, he made a compelling case for advancing AI as a
tool for sustainable development through equitable partnerships, stressing that
AI has the potential to drive Africa's progress toward achieving the United
Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He highlighted the need for
innovative financing models that take into account the fiscal constraints of
African governments while proposing re-imagined capacity-building initiatives
tailored to meet the actual needs of African AI ecosystems, rather than perceived
ones. He believes that AI can unlock tremendous potential for economic growth
across the continent, but only if there is genuine collaboration based on
shared values and mutual benefit.
At the core of the discussions was
the co-creation of the AI Hub for Sustainable Development, a pivotal initiative
that aims to strengthen Africa's AI ecosystems. Ambassador Thigo pointed out
the importance of addressing critical gaps in areas like data pipelines, green
computational power, and AI talent development, and noted that building
resilient and inclusive supply chains is essential to empowering Africa’s
micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to leverage AI-driven solutions
effectively.
The meeting also explored the
broader development of emerging tech supply chains, particularly in AI. Kenya’s
Special Envoy on Technology urged for a focus on resilience and inclusivity in
these supply chains to create opportunities for Africa’s MSMEs to benefit fully
from AI advancements.
By: Nana Appiah Acquaye