{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,13]],"date-time":"2026-03-13T15:21:05Z","timestamp":1773415265189,"version":"3.50.1"},"reference-count":48,"publisher":"Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)","issue":"1","content-domain":{"domain":["dl.acm.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Digit. Gov.: Res. Pract."],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,31]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly growing sector within the African innovation ecosystem. Amidst rapid technological advancements in the development of AI solutions in African countries, it has been noted that AI technologies pose ethical quandaries. As a result, there is a need to identify these AI ethical policies in Africa and explore their benefits and detrimental in the AI ecosystem. Therefore, this study utilized both qualitative and quantitative methodologies using desk research and AI stakeholders\u2019 engagement through key information interviews and focus group discussions, case studies, online surveys, and webinar sessions. A total of 300 publications and 165 participants contributed to the study. The result shows that about 12% of the collected responses indicate that the adoption, development, and use of AI ethical policies in African countries are in the initial stage. The AI ethical policies are beneficial; however, the following challenges hinder their adoption and development, which include limited understanding of AI, funding, lack of access to data, inadequate infrastructure, such as internet connectivity, and skills shortage. The study recommends the enhancement of collaborative networks for resource sharing within the AI stakeholders\u2019 ecosystem and the development of adequate infrastructure that enhances the adoption of AI ethical policy.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1145\/3776546","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,12,10]],"date-time":"2025-12-10T11:19:37Z","timestamp":1765365577000},"page":"1-20","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1145\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["AI Ethical Policy in Africa"],"prefix":"10.1145","volume":"7","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7420-6533","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Dr. Ing. Judith","family":"Leo","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology","place":["Arusha, Tanzania, United Republic of"]}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0005-1457-8270","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Nanko","family":"Madu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"AfriLabs","place":["Abuja, Nigeria"]}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0006-9529-2086","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Lydia","family":"Ezenwa","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"AfriLabs","place":["Abuja, Nigeria"]}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0006-4519-0073","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Lavina","family":"Ramkissoon","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"African Union","place":["Addis Ababa, Ethiopia"]}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0005-7213-7975","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Philip","family":"Adebayo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"AfriLabs","place":["Abuja, Nigeria"]}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0008-9886-8081","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Timothy","family":"Mugume","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"AfriLabs","place":["Abuja, Nigeria"]}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3080-1063","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Samiiha","family":"Nalwooga","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Makerere University","place":["Kampala, Uganda"]}]}],"member":"320","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,13]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_3_1_2_1","unstructured":"Rachel Adams. 2022. AI in Africa: Key concerns and policy considerations for the future of the continent. Retrieved from https:\/\/afripoli.org\/ai-in-africa-key-concerns-and-policy-considerations-for-the-future-of-the-continent"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_3_1","unstructured":"African Development Bank. 2018. Annual Development Effectiveness 2018\u202f: \u2018Made in Africa\u2019 \u2013 Industrialising the Continent. African Development Bank Group."},{"key":"e_1_3_1_4_1","unstructured":"Jackline Akello. 2022. Artificial Intelligence in Kenya-Policy Brief. Paradigm Initiative Supported by Global Partners Digital 1\u201317. @ParadigmHQ."},{"key":"e_1_3_1_5_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/09537287.2022.2069049"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_6_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-030-62796-6_22"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_7_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s43681-023-00370-w"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_8_1","unstructured":"Charles Bradley Richard Wingfield and Megan Metzger. 2020. National artificial intelligence strategies and human rights: A review. 1\u201361."},{"key":"e_1_3_1_9_1","unstructured":"Brief Policy. 2023. Regulating AI in Africa."},{"key":"e_1_3_1_10_1","unstructured":"Broadridge. 2019. AI adoption\u202f: Is Your Firm Ready\u202f? Capital Market Broadridge. Retrieved from https:\/\/www.broadridge.com\/_assets\/pdf\/broadridge-ai-readiness.pdf"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_11_1","unstructured":"Ed van Buren Bruce Chew and William D. Eggers. 2020. AI readiness for government. 14."},{"key":"e_1_3_1_12_1","unstructured":"Houssem Chatbri Sahbi Jemmali and Salah Hannachi. 2019. Empowering the Tunisian textile industry with artificial intelligence. ."},{"key":"e_1_3_1_13_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s00146-023-01779-x"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_14_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-031-08215-3"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_15_1","unstructured":"A S. Engines and O F Growth. 2023. African Tech Startups as Engines of Growth & Development Analysis of the Start-up Ecosystem in Africa."},{"key":"e_1_3_1_16_1","unstructured":"On Friday and Services Act. 2023. Back to contents political agreement reached on the EU artificial intelligence act. 011630 1\u201315."},{"key":"e_1_3_1_17_1","first-page":"1","article-title":"Artificial intelligence and law enforcement - impact on fundamental rights","author":"Gloria Gonz\u00e1lez Fuster","year":"2020","unstructured":"Gloria Gonz\u00e1lez Fuster. 2020. Artificial intelligence and law enforcement - impact on fundamental rights. Regulating Artificial Intelligence, 1\u201392. Retrieved from http:\/\/www.europarl.europa.eu\/supporting-analyses","journal-title":"Regulating Artificial Intelligence"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_18_1","unstructured":"Arthur Gwagwa Patti Kachidza Kathleen Siminyu and Matthew Smith. 2021. Responsible artificial intelligence in sub-saharan Africa: Landscape and General State of Play. 24."},{"key":"e_1_3_1_19_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.patter.2021.100381"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_20_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2139\/ssrn.3876059"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_21_1","unstructured":"International Telecommunication Union. 2021. United Nations Activities on Artificial Intelligence."},{"key":"e_1_3_1_22_1","unstructured":"ITU. 2021. Digital Trends in Africa 2021: Information and Communication Technology Trends and Developments in the Africa Region 2017-2020. International Telecommunication Union Publication. Vol. 2. Retrieved from https:\/\/elibrary.acbfpact.org\/acbf\/collect\/acbf\/index\/assoc\/HASH0146\/faa3ee36\/f864265c\/9547.dir\/DigitaltrendsinAfrica2021.pdf"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_23_1","unstructured":"ITU and UNDP. 2023. SDG Digital Acceleration Agenda. 87."},{"key":"e_1_3_1_24_1","unstructured":"Dwi Hadya Jayani. 2019. Government AI readiness index 2019 Di ASEAN."},{"key":"e_1_3_1_25_1","unstructured":"Abdessalam Jaldi. 2023. Artificial intelligence revolution in Africa: Economic opportunities and legal challenges. Retrieved from www.policycenter.ma"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_26_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/s41558-022-01377-7"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_27_1","unstructured":"Law Information Technology. 2023. The State of AI in Africa Report 2023."},{"key":"e_1_3_1_28_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-024-59968-7"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_29_1","unstructured":"Josh Meltzer and Aaron Tielemans. 2022. The European Union AI Act International Cooperation."},{"key":"e_1_3_1_30_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s11023-022-09612-y"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_31_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.20935\/al1336"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_32_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/978-981-19-4877-0"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_33_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/978-3-031-08215-3_3"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_34_1","unstructured":"Parlamento Europeu. 2024. Artificial intelligence act European."},{"key":"e_1_3_1_35_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1017\/S1816383121000011"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_36_1","unstructured":"Annys Rogerson Emma Hankins Pablo Fuentes Nettel and Sulamaan Rahim. 2022. Government AI Readiness 2022. 1\u201361."},{"key":"e_1_3_1_37_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s11948-024-00472-6"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_38_1","first-page":"14939","article-title":"Artificial intelligence as a path way to","volume":"9","author":"Sampene Agyemang","year":"2022","unstructured":"Agyemang Sampene, Fredrick Oteng Agyeman, John Wiredu, and Robert Brenya. 2022. Artificial intelligence as a path way to Africa \u2019 S. 9 (February 2022), 14939\u201351.","journal-title":"Africa \u2019 S"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_39_1","unstructured":"S. Sedola A. J. Pescino and T. Greene. 2021. Artificial intelligence for Africa. Retrieved from https:\/\/smart.africa\/board\/login\/uploads\/70029-eng_ai-for-africa-blueprint.pdf"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_40_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3389\/frai.2023.1133677"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_41_1","first-page":"1","article-title":"Artificial Intelligence Index Report Introduction to the AI Index Report 2023","year":"2023","unstructured":"StandfordUniversity. 2023. Artificial Intelligence Index Report Introduction to the AI Index Report 2023. Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, 1\u2013386.","journal-title":"Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_42_1","article-title":"The Global Growth Story of the 21st Century: Driven by Investment and Innovation in Green Technologies and Artificial Intelligence","author":"Stern Nicholas","year":"2023","unstructured":"Nicholas Stern, Mattia Romani, Amar Bhattacharya, Danae Kyriakopoulou, and Hans Pets Lankes. 2023. The Global Growth Story of the 21st Century: Driven by Investment and Innovation in Green Technologies and Artificial Intelligence. The London School of Economics and Political Science. Retrieved from https:\/\/www.lse.ac.uk\/granthaminstitute\/publication\/the-global-growth-story-of-the-21st-century\/","journal-title":"The London School of Economics and Political Science"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_43_1","unstructured":"Aimilia Tikoudi. 2023. ICT-Based social innovation in Africa\u202f: The case of Rwanda. Retrieved from https:\/\/nmbu.brage.unit.no\/nmbu-xmlui\/handle\/11250\/3052911"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_44_1","unstructured":"UK Government. 2023. Chair's Summary of the AI Safety Summit 2023 Bletchley Park. 1\u201310. Retrieved from https:\/\/assets.publishing.service.gov.uk\/media\/6543e0b61f1a60000d360d2b\/aiss-chair-statement.pdf"},{"key":"e_1_3_1_45_1","unstructured":"UNESCO. 2022. Landscape Study of AI Policies and Use in Southern Africa."},{"key":"e_1_3_1_46_1","unstructured":"United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. 2021. And Innovation 2021."},{"key":"e_1_3_1_47_1","unstructured":"World Bank. 2020. Rwanda Economic Update: Accelerating Digital Transformation in Rwanda. 15."},{"key":"e_1_3_1_48_1","volume-title":"Ethics and Governance of Artificial Intelligence for Health. Guidance on Large Multi-Modal Models","year":"2024","unstructured":"World Health Organization. 2024. Ethics and Governance of Artificial Intelligence for Health. Guidance on Large Multi-Modal Models. World Health Organization."},{"key":"e_1_3_1_49_1","unstructured":"Kofi Yeboah. 2020. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Inclusive Innovation\u202f: Examining Contemporary AI Initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa. By Kofi Yeboah Submitted to the Faculty of Arts University of Alberta In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Mast. 1\u201397."}],"container-title":["Digital Government: Research and Practice"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/dl.acm.org\/doi\/pdf\/10.1145\/3776546","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,13]],"date-time":"2026-03-13T11:41:42Z","timestamp":1773402102000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/dl.acm.org\/doi\/10.1145\/3776546"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,13]]},"references-count":48,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,31]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1145\/3776546"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1145\/3776546","relation":{},"ISSN":["2691-199X","2639-0175"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2691-199X","type":"print"},{"value":"2639-0175","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,3,13]]},"assertion":[{"value":"2024-08-25","order":0,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2025-10-10","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2026-03-13","order":3,"name":"published","label":"Published","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}}]}}