Forward Summit declaration: African leaders adopt policy reducing reliance on global tech powers
By Emmanuel Rono, May 13, 2026Leaders at the Africa Forward Summit have officially adopted a “third path” strategy for digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI) to secure the continent’s strategic autonomy.
This new framework, unveiled as part of the Nairobi Declaration on May 12, 2026, seeks to reduce Africa’s dependence on concentrated global technological powers while fostering a digital environment grounded in transparent and rights-respecting technologies.
The summit, which brought together policymakers, technology leaders, researchers, and industry stakeholders from across Africa and beyond, emphasised the need for homegrown digital systems that reduce dependence on external tech ecosystems while ensuring that innovation aligns with African values, data protection standards, and socio-economic priorities.
“We further recognise that Africa’s participation in the AI age requires investment across the full digital and AI stack, in line with the African Union Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy, the AU Data Policy Framework, the AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol, and Africa’s broader digital transformation agenda,” the summit declaration stated.
Building the AI stack
The summit’s declaration emphasises the urgent need for investment across the entire “digital and AI stack,” ranging from broadband connectivity and regional data centers to cloud and compute capacity.
The declaration stated that the major priority of this initiative is the development of African-led ownership and value creation from data, ensuring that the economic and social benefits of the AI age remain within the continent.
To ensure these systems are inclusive, the agreement also prioritises the development of African language models, local datasets, and open-weight AI systems that reflect the continent’s diverse cultural heritage.
Promote the responsible use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in the creative economy, while protecting African creative intellectual property, supporting creators’ livelihoods, strengthening digital distribution, and expanding market access for African cultural and creative enterprises,” the statement read.
“Close digital divides, including for women, youth, rural communities, persons with disabilities, and underserved populations.”
AI of equality
The declaration commits to a version of AI that is safe, secure, and trustworthy, with specific protections for children, minors, and vulnerable groups.
Furthermore, the framework intends to close digital divides by ensuring that women, youth, and rural communities have equitable access to these emerging technologies.
“Advance inclusive digital transformation and responsible, safe, secure, trustworthy, and rights-respecting AI, guided by African and international frameworks, with particular attention to human rights, the protection of children and minors, cultural diversity, multilingualism, gender equality, environmental sustainability, and the protection of vulnerable groups,” the statement read.