Kenya’s Special Envoy on Technology advocates for strengthened Africa-G7 dialogue on AI and Digital collaborations

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