Addis ababa: IGAD member states should harness artificial intelligence (AI) to fast-track development, deepen regional integration, and tackle shared challenges across the Horn of Africa, IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu has said.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, speaking at the Regional AI Framework and Strategy Stakeholders Consultation Workshop in Addis Ababa, Workneh emphasized that AI should be seen as a key force multiplier for IGAD's broader agenda on regional integration, peace, and development. He highlighted AI's potential to boost food security and agriculture, improve predictive climate modeling and early-warning systems for drought and flooding, and expand access to healthcare through AI-driven diagnostics and disease surveillance, especially in remote and border communities.
Workneh also underscored the necessity for data sovereignty, accountability, and regional regulation, emphasizing that IGAD countries must ensure their data is controlled, managed, and used in their own interests. "We should be the owners of our own data," Workneh stated, stressing the importance of strengthening regional approaches to data governance and AI regulation. He called for stronger cooperation among member states through data sharing, resource pooling, and policy harmonization, asserting that regional collaboration can achieve what no single country can do alone.
"This is not a Secretariat project. It is a regional initiative owned by you, our Member States, for our people," Workneh declared. He outlined a three-pronged strategy to advance AI in the region: targeted investment in areas where AI can deliver the greatest development impact, closing critical gaps in infrastructure, policy, and human skills, and building a strong regional AI ecosystem. He stressed the need for cross-border initiatives, institutional cooperation, and harmonized policies to support the growth of an effective regional AI ecosystem.
In his remarks, Director for IGAD Affairs at Ethiopia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ketema Haile, noted Ethiopia's recognition of AI as a transformative tool for national and regional development. "Ethiopia fully recognizes the transformative role of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in national and regional development," Ketema said. He expressed Ethiopia's commitment to working closely with IGAD and fellow member states to advance a safe, inclusive, and human-centered AI agenda across the region.
Ketema also highlighted the newly established Artificial Intelligence University, expressing hope that it will benefit IGAD member states and Africa at large. "In this regard, I hope the newly established Artificial Intelligence University will benefit all IGAD member states and the entire Africa," Ketema said. He called for coordinated regional action, strong policy frameworks, and strategic investment in human capital, digital infrastructure, research, and innovation to ensure AI benefits the region's young population.
The two-day consultation, which runs from September 4 to 5, brings together policymakers, technical experts, academics, private-sector representatives, and development partners to help develop a practical regional AI framework and strategy for IGAD.