EAC regional validation meeting discusses AI strategy implementation

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Technocrats from the eight EAC member countries meeting in Kampala unanimously agree that leveraging infrastructure from partner states remains critical in efforts for the EAC artificial intelligence (AI) implementation agenda.

According to Dr Fortunate Muyambi, deputy executive secretary of the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO), the strategy is looking at modernising the use of AI and offering guidelines to avoid misuse of AI.

He was speaking on Monday at Hotel Africana in Kampala during the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO) two-day Regional Validation Workshop on the EAC Artificial Intelligence Strategy.

“Experts from eight partner states are here to validate and also have a consensus on the interventions and critical inclusions in the strategy. We are mandated with developing this strategy, and we are sure the two days will deliver desirable results,” Muyambi noted.

The workshop is being attended by representatives of EAC Partner States, regional institutions, academia, and other stakeholders to review and validate a regional strategy that will guide the responsible development, governance, and deployment of artificial intelligence across the Community.

The meeting is being co-convened by the EAC Secretariat and EASTECO, with support from GIZ under the EAC AI Alliance Programme.

“Artificial intelligence is increasingly recognised as a major driver of socio-economic transformation, with potential applications in governance, service delivery, productivity, innovation, and regional competitiveness, and the EAC region cannot be left behind,” he added.

Dr Sylvance Okoth, Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the East African Science and Technology Commission, emphasised that a harmonised, inclusive, and ethical regional AI strategy is essential to support sustainable development and deepen regional integration.

“It is very important that we come up with a strategy at this time as we move forward across the partner states; we have a synchronised approach to addressing AI-related interventions, especially in the space of science and technology,” Okoth stressed

According to the concept note, the workshop is intended to build consensus on the EAC Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2026–2031) and its implementation framework, while ensuring that the final document reflects the collective priorities and perspectives of the region.

The concept note states that the EAC AI Strategy is designed to complement the draft EAC Digital Transformation Strategy (2026–2030) and align with broader frameworks including the African Union Continental AI Strategy (2024), EAC Vision 2050, the East African Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The validation workshop is expected to produce a stakeholder-endorsed EAC AI Strategy ready for submission to the relevant Sectoral Council for formal adoption.

It is also expected to generate commitments on implementation priorities, financing modalities, technical support mechanisms, and a practical roadmap outlining responsibilities, timelines, and indicative resource requirements.

According to conveners, the workshop marks an important step toward establishing a coordinated regional approach to AI that can help unlock innovation while addressing risks such as bias, privacy concerns, job displacement, and digital inequality in the EAC Region.