COMESA Launches Consultations for Unified AI Strategy Across Eastern and Southern Africa

The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) has initiated a series of national consultations aimed at developing a harmonized regional artificial intelligence (AI) strategy for its 21 member states. This significant undertaking is part of the Inclusive Digitalization in Eastern and Southern Africa (IDEA) programme, a substantial $2.48 billion initiative backed by the World Bank. Kenya hosted the inaugural four-day workshop in Nairobi, followed by Zambia, with more member states slated to participate in the coming weeks.

The consultations are structured to yield three key outcomes: a comprehensive regional AI strategy, a harmonized regulatory framework specifically for AI, and a regional action plan focused on digital inclusion. COMESA's objective is to standardize policies, norms, and regulations to ensure all member states can equally leverage the benefits of AI and other emerging technologies. Importantly, the policy recommendations are being designed to integrate national realities, avoiding a top-down imposition of rules.

This move by COMESA aligns with a broader trend of AI policy harmonization across Africa. Earlier this year, the East African Community (EAC) adopted a similar regional AI strategy, and six Francophone West African countries also established a shared AI governance framework. COMESA's initiative adds a third significant regional layer, addressing the complexities of overlapping memberships, as countries like Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi belong to both COMESA and the EAC, highlighting the continent's concerted push towards coordinated AI governance.

The economic rationale underpinning COMESA's efforts is compelling, referencing projections from the African Development Bank that AI could contribute up to $1 trillion to Africa's GDP by 2035 and create 40 million digital jobs. Realizing this potential hinges on both increased AI adoption and greater regulatory alignment. Currently, only 15 of Africa's 54 countries have national AI strategies, with significant disparities even within COMESA. A unified regional framework aims to bridge these gaps, simplifying cross-border operations for businesses and governments.

The success of these consultations in producing an implementable strategy will depend on its binding nature for member states. The initiative is set to build upon existing frameworks, including the African Union's Continental AI Strategy and the EAC's Kigali declaration. Kenya's advanced Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026, one of the continent's most comprehensive, could also serve as a valuable template for its COMESA peers, guiding the region towards a more cohesive and beneficial AI future.