The African Union (AU) has taken a significant step towards harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) by adopting a continental AI strategy that prioritizes data sovereignty, digital infrastructure, and cross-border regulation. The strategy, formally adopted in July 2024, aims to promote a growth-first approach to AI, based on five goals: creating abilities, reducing risks, attracting investment, promoting cooperation, and ensuring Africa benefits from AI innovation.

The AU's data policy framework and the Malabo Convention are key components of the strategy, creating comprehensive and uniform data governance across member nations. The framework outlines a continental vision for safe data flow, privacy protection, and coordinated governance, while the Malabo Convention provides a legal framework for harmonizing data protection laws throughout the continent.

In February 2025, AU leaders officially recognized data sovereignty as a fundamental principle, emphasizing that data generated within their boundaries should remain under national control. This means that data usage across borders should follow local laws, and sovereignty is preserved in digital space. The AU is relying on its data policy framework and the Malabo Convention to strengthen data sovereignty and ensure that member states have control over their data.

To support digital trade and AI-operated services, the AU is implementing a digital single market under the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol. This will regulate border-crossing data flow, ensuring alignment with data sovereignty and promoting AI investment and e-commerce growth. The AU's strategy also emphasizes the importance of digital infrastructure, including electricity, broadband, data centers, and computing systems, to enable research, empower startups, and close the digital divide.

By April 2025, 22 member states had received AU technical assistance to develop national AI strategies, with Auda, distributed through NEPAD and other institutions, helping countries align with the continental structure. States are now urged to adopt AU policies in funding projects through national law, public-private partnerships, and implement flexible, locally informed rules.

The AU's AI strategy marks a significant shift in the digital power dynamics, with African nations claiming complete control over data generated within their borders. This change strengthens countries to determine how their data is stored, used, and how privacy, national interests, and economic values are considered. By anchoring AI development in sovereign data governance, the AU is rejecting data dependence and determining clear digital boundaries.

The 2025 AI agenda of the AU balances national data control with the requirement of regional integration. The Global AI Summit in Kigali continued in April 2025, where African leaders echoed the AU's call for data sovereignty and harmonized digital rules. With coordinated governance, safe cross-limit flow, and infrastructure investment, Africa is laying the foundation for a digital future that benefits its people, not external corporations or governments.

The AU's AI policy framework sets a precedent for other regions to follow, prioritizing data sovereignty and digital infrastructure in the development of AI strategies. As the global AI landscape continues to evolve, the AU's commitment to data sovereignty and digital governance is a crucial step towards ensuring that AI benefits Africa and its people.