Collaborative regulation: leveraging existing authorities for effective AI governance in Africa

Artificial intelligence (AI) is gradually evolving in Africa, presenting unique regulatory challenges, including its potential ability and potential to disrupt industries, exacerbate inequalities, and impact human rights. While calls for new AI-specific laws and the creation of new agencies are widespread, financial constraints, limited institutional capacity, and the lack of political will often hinder such efforts. This paper proposes a pragmatic and timely solution: leveraging existing regulatory bodies to govern AI within their current mandates. These authorities, already established in many African countries, possess the institutional capacity to address AI’s sector-specific risks, bypassing the need for costly new entities. This paper analyses the activities of these authorities in regulating AI across Africa, highlighting their successes, challenges, and opportunities for further action. The paper advocates for a collaborative approach using a digital clearinghouse model where regulators share insights and harmonise strategies. While acknowledging that new, AI-specific regulations may eventually be necessary, this approach offers an immediate and effective path towards AI governance in Africa, ensuring that AI’s benefits are harnessed responsibly and inclusively for sustainable development across the continent.