Media Rights Agenda calls for a Pan-African AI framework to promote digital rights, accountability, inclusion and African technological sovereignty

Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has called for the development and adoption of a comprehensive Pan-African AI framework rooted in human rights, democratic accountability, inclusion and African digital sovereignty, warning that no single African country possesses the leverage or resources to address the challenges posed by artificial intelligence alone.

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The organisation made the call in a statement issued in Lagos on Monday to commemorate Africa Day 2026, as discussions around the governance and deployment of artificial intelligence continue to gain momentum across the continent.

MRA said the rapid expansion of AI technologies presents Africa with significant opportunities for development but also exposes the continent to serious risks if governments fail to act collectively.

According to the organisation, African countries risk becoming passive consumers of technologies designed elsewhere without sufficient consideration for African cultures, languages, realities and development priorities.

MRA Programme Officer, Ms Ayomide Eweje, noted that Africa Day marks the founding of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963 and symbolises the vision of a united, prosperous and independent Africa.

She said that vision must now extend into the digital age as artificial intelligence increasingly influences journalism, governance, education, elections, healthcare, business, security and public communication.

Eweje stressed that the African Union’s ongoing efforts to advance a continental AI strategy should be guided by the principles of Pan-Africanism to ensure Africa plays a leading role in shaping how emerging technologies are developed and governed.

While acknowledging the potential of AI to drive innovation, improve public services, expand access to knowledge and strengthen efforts against misinformation, she warned that the technology could also facilitate mass surveillance, spread deepfakes, manipulate public opinion, reinforce discrimination and undermine democratic institutions.

She therefore urged governments, regional organisations, civil society groups, media professionals, academic institutions, technology experts and citizens to collaborate in building a people-centred and rights-respecting governance structure for artificial intelligence across Africa.

Eweje proposed that any continental framework should prioritise the protection of freedom of expression, media independence, privacy and personal data, alongside transparency and accountability in algorithmic systems.

She also advocated stronger safeguards against algorithmic bias and discrimination, greater inclusion of African languages and knowledge systems, ethical innovation, open access to public-interest data, digital inclusion and enhanced protection of electoral integrity.

The MRA official further warned against what she described as “data colonialism”, where African populations provide valuable data to global technology companies without meaningful ownership, control or economic benefit.

She called on the African Union to begin an inclusive process towards adopting an African Charter or Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Rights that reflects the continent’s democratic aspirations and development goals.

Eweje also emphasised the need for broad stakeholder participation in the formulation of AI policies and regulations, including contributions from civil society organisations, journalists, women’s groups, youth organisations, persons with disabilities, researchers and technology communities.

According to her, media and information literacy must become a cornerstone of Africa’s digital future, equipping citizens with the skills needed to identify misinformation, understand algorithmic systems and recognise synthetic media and deepfakes.

She described Africa Day as an opportunity to reimagine the continent’s technological future in ways that promote democratic resilience, social inclusion, human dignity and self-determination.

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Eweje reaffirmed MRA’s commitment to working with partners across Africa and beyond to advance digital rights, access to information, media freedom, democratic accountability and ethical approaches to emerging technologies.