COMESA initiates regional AI strategy, digital inclusion

by ARNOLD MULENGA
LUSAKA, (CAJ News) – THE Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) has initiated moves to develop the Regional Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy and Regional Digital Inclusion Strategy.

The economic bloc hails these strategies as landmark frameworks that to drive the region’s digital transformation.

COMESA has convened a four-day stakeholder consultation, which began in Zambia on Thursday, with a pledge that the future of AI and digital inclusion in East and Southern Africa was taking shape.

Chileshe Mpundu Kapwepwe, COMESA Secretary General, officially opened the event on Thursday in the capital Lusaka.

“Regional cooperation and strong public-private partnerships are critical to accelerating digital transformation across Eastern and Southern Africa,” the

The side-event Inclusive Digitalisation (IDEA) Annual Digital Forum attracted delegates from the host country, Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Seychelles, South Sudan, Tanzania and Zambia.

Malawi made the most of the event to affirm its commitment to digital transformation and AI as catalysts for economic growth and improved public service delivery.

Prosper Mopiwa, Principal Secretary for the Department of eGovernment, showcased the country’s digital progress, highlighting key Digital Malawi Acceleration Project (DMAP) achievements, including the Bomalathu eService Portal, the new National Data Centre, biometric registration kits for the National Registration Bureau and expanded digital connectivity.

He also told delegates the National AI Strategy had been drafted and was undergoing stakeholder consultations, positioning the country for an inclusive and digitally empowered future.

The government had announced that earlier this week.

Headquartered in Zambia and comprising 21 member states, COMESA was established in 1994 to replace the Preferential Trade Area (PTA).

It promotes economic prosperity through regional integration by reducing trade barriers and aligning monetary and fiscal policies.

– CAJ News