Zambia, COMESA, and the World Bank have launched a regional AI initiative to develop harmonized AI policies, strengthen digital governance, and accelerate responsible AI adoption across Eastern and Southern Africa.
Held in Lusaka, the workshop aims to accelerate the responsible adoption of AI and emerging technologies while supporting the development of harmonized regional AI policies and regulatory frameworks. It also marks the first major stakeholder engagement under the AI and Emerging Technologies Consultancy within the IDEA Program.
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The workshop was officially opened by Permanent Secretary Eng. Dr. Brilliant Habeenzu, who said the initiative will help strengthen institutional capacity, increase awareness of AI opportunities and risks, and gather country-specific insights to inform Zambia's national AI agenda and COMESA's regional AI strategy.
The consultations will also contribute to the development of harmonized regulatory frameworks designed to support cross-border digital innovation while ensuring AI is deployed responsibly across member states.
Speaking during the launch, Leonard Chitundu, representing the COMESA Secretariat, said the stakeholder engagements combine awareness, capacity building, and structured consultations to ensure future AI policies are evidence-based, inclusive, and aligned with regional integration goals.
He noted that artificial intelligence has the potential to transform public service delivery, improve productivity, stimulate innovation, and expand cross-border digital services across Eastern and Southern Africa.
At the same time, he emphasized the need for coordinated regional action to address challenges relating to data governance, ethical AI, cybersecurity, consumer protection, digital skills, and regulatory readiness.
In his keynote address, Dr. Habeenzu highlighted AI's growing impact across sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, education, and financial services. He noted that artificial intelligence is projected to contribute more than US$15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, while Africa could generate approximately US$1.2 trillion in economic value through accelerated and responsible AI adoption.
He cautioned that without harmonized policies, COMESA member states risk fragmented regulation, inconsistent safeguards, and missed opportunities for innovation and regional economic growth.
According to Dr. Habeenzu, the workshop seeks to identify Zambia's policy and institutional gaps while developing shared priorities for regional AI governance and identifying high-impact AI applications across strategic sectors.
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The Permanent Secretary reaffirmed Zambia's commitment to inclusive digital transformation through continued investment in broadband infrastructure, e-government services, cybersecurity, digital identity systems, and digital payment platforms.
He noted that mobile broadband penetration reached 72% in 2025, up from less than 40% a decade ago, while more than 300 communications towers have been constructed since 2022 to improve nationwide connectivity.
Zambia is also participating in the US$2.48 billion IDEA Programme, implemented jointly with COMESA and the World Bank, which supports digital infrastructure, policy harmonization, and digital inclusion across more than 15 African countries.
The program places particular emphasis on ensuring women, youth, persons with disabilities, rural communities, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) benefit from Africa's expanding digital economy.
The Ministry said recommendations from the stakeholder consultations will help shape both Zambia's national AI strategy and the forthcoming COMESA Regional Artificial Intelligence Strategy alongside the Regional Digital Inclusion Strategy.
Officials emphasized that sustained collaboration between governments, the private sector, academia, civil society, development partners, and regional organizations will be essential to building a secure, inclusive, and innovation-driven digital economy capable of supporting Africa's long-term digital transformation.
Why Zambia, COMESA Partnership Matters to Africa and the GCC
The initiative marks an important step toward coordinated AI governance across Africa, as countries increasingly recognize that regional collaboration is essential to unlocking AI's economic potential.
By working toward harmonized AI regulations, stronger digital infrastructure, and shared governance frameworks, COMESA aims to reduce regulatory fragmentation, encourage cross-border innovation, and create a more attractive environment for technology investment across member states.
For the GCC, the program aligns with the region's growing focus on AI leadership and digital transformation. Countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain are investing heavily in AI infrastructure, sovereign AI, cloud computing, and digital public services.
Stronger AI governance across Africa creates new opportunities for collaboration in AI research, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, skills development, and cross-border technology investment.
As Africa and the GCC deepen economic and digital ties, harmonized AI policies could make it easier for startups, enterprises, and investors to scale AI solutions across both regions while supporting broader digital integration.
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