From a technology point of view, African leaders are making all the right noises: increasing discussion about the continent’s positioning on 4IR, notwithstanding a call by AU chair and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for an official pan- African AI Forum to bolster public service delivery, among other objectives. But ICT and telecommunication market analysts warn that the fundamental building blocks need to be in place (including skills, foundation technology and collaboration) and perspective maintained on the role of the forum before AI can add any real value.

In February 2020, Ramaphosa, during the first day of the 33rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, called for the continent to establish an Africa Artificial Intelligence Forum to promote an Africa AI ecosystem.