Africa Law & Tech Review Vol. 27
Lawyers Hub
Lawyers Hub is a Law-Tech organisation working on Digital policy and Justice innovation
Welcome to the Africa Law & Tech Review, a publication, by Lawyers Hub, that delves into the intersections of law, technology, business, digital rights, and features policy advancements across Africa and beyond. The Lawyers Hub is an organization based in Kenya working at the confluence of Law, Policy, and Technology. Learn more about who we are and what we do.
Countdown Begins: 3 Weeks to the Africa Law Tech Festival!
Welcome to August, the month of Africa’s largest Law and Tech conference, which attracts over 5,000 delegates from more than 40 countries. The countdown has officially begun, and it’s just 3 weeks to the Africa Law Tech Festival! This year, the festival will be held virtually from August 26 to 27, 2024. Since its inception in 2020, the festival has been a pivotal event, fostering idea-focused conversations and innovations around technology and the law, and addressing key digital policy themes relevant to the African tech policy landscape.
This year’s theme, "Artificial Intelligence & The Year of Education," aims to empower African stakeholders in developing responsible and effective AI policy frameworks. The festival will facilitate knowledge exchange between legal professionals, policymakers, innovators, and civil society on AI governance and promote responsible AI innovation within the African AI ecosystem. Attendees can expect to learn, engage in online interactions, and experience the latest legal and tech products, solutions, and innovations firsthand. Register HERE
Kenyan Parliament Proposes AI Regulatory Framework to Ensure Ethical Use
On July 31, 2024, the National Assembly engaged in a discussion on Motion 039/2023, titled "Formulation of a Regulatory Framework on Artificial Intelligence." The motion addressed the growing necessity for AI regulation in Kenya.
The Assembly referenced the 2022 Government Artificial Intelligence Readiness Index report , which ranked Kenya fifth in Africa and 90th globally in terms of readiness to adopt AI. In addition, the Oxford Insights Survey 2022 indicated that Kenya’s readiness to adopt AI stood at 40.3%.
The discussion acknowledged the significant positive impacts AI has brought to various sectors, including healthcare, manufacturing, and robotics, by increasing efficiency and driving innovation. However, the Assembly also expressed concerns about the rapid, unregulated adoption of AI, which has led to several adverse effects, such as the proliferation of disinformation and fake news.
The need to safeguard Kenyans from potential AI-related harms was emphasised. These include privacy breaches, AI-powered disinformation, algorithmic discrimination, autonomous weapons, job displacement, economic inequality, social manipulation, financial market manipulation, and invasion of privacy.
In response, the House urged the Government, through the Ministry of Information, Communication, and the Digital Economy, to establish a regulatory framework and ethical guidelines for AI implementation. Further, the Assembly called for the development and execution of a public awareness programme on Artificial Intelligence. This programme aims to enhance understanding of AI, promote transparency, and encourage the responsible use of AI for the benefit of all citizens.?
Kenya's National Assembly Calls for Measures to Combat Digital Exclusion
On July 31, 2024, Kenya's National Assembly discussed Motion 038/23, titled 'Development of Measures to Mitigate Digital Exclusion.' The assembly recognized the urgent need to bridge the digital divide to foster inclusivity in internet access and establish Kenya as a regional ICT hub. Highlighting the importance of affordable data for realising the Government's digital superhighway plan, the House resolved that the Ministry of Information, Communication, and the Digital Economy should formulate a policy to regulate internet billing by Internet Service Providers (ISPs). This policy would mandate metered billing based on consumption to prevent exploitation and safeguard the economic interests of users, as stipulated in Article 46 of the Constitution. In addition, ISPs would be required to implement quality metered billing systems to monitor usage, convert data into readable details, and create invoices based on consumption, ensuring that charges reflect the value of services provided
World's First Major AI Law Takes Effect
The AI Act , the world's first comprehensive regulation governing artificial intelligence, officially came into force on August 1, 2024. Initially proposed by the European Commission in 2020, this landmark EU legislation received final approval from EU member states, lawmakers, and the European Commission. The AI Act establishes a harmonised regulatory framework for AI development, use, and application across the EU, addressing potential negative impacts and ensuring responsible AI practices.
The new regulation aims to govern how companies develop, use, and apply AI, ensuring that AI technologies are used ethically and responsibly. By setting out a comprehensive regulatory framework, the AI Act seeks to mitigate the risks associated with AI, such as privacy breaches, algorithmic discrimination, and other potential harms. This framework is designed to promote transparency and accountability in AI applications, fostering public trust in these technologies.
With the AI Act now in effect, significant changes are expected for technology companies operating within the EU. The law's stringent requirements will compel these companies to adapt their AI practices to comply with the new regulations, marking a major shift in the global AI landscape.
Lagos State Unveils ?200 Billion Annual Digital Economy Tax Plan
The Lagos State Government has unveiled a plan to generate ?200 billion annually from the digital economy sector, targeting about two million individuals. This initiative, detailed in the upcoming EKO Revenue Plus Summit document, aims to include remote workers and digital influencers in the current tax base and enhance revenue collection through digital solutions. The digital economy plans feature the introduction of a Resident Global Digital Citizen Tax Management System, a public data marketplace, a fintech hub, and several other digital initiatives, with an initial implementation cost of ?250 million
Morocco Considers AI Regulation Legislation
The Moroccan government is contemplating new legislation to regulate the use of artificial intelligence, as revealed in an interview published by Al Arabia. During a recent parliamentary session, Morocco’s Minister of Justice, Abdelatif Ouahbi , warned that AI technologies could be misused to commit crimes against the freedoms of both citizens and officials. Ouahbi emphasised the urgency of addressing these concerns, stating that the government plans to hold a conference on AI and its legal framework in September, with the aim of implementing regulations before the next elections. He urged Parliament to enact legislation regulating AI before the 2026 elections to safeguard Morocco’s democratic process from AI’s influence.
Algeria Unveils Digital Transformation Strategy
The High Commissioner for Digitization announced that Algeria is set to implement a new digital transformation strategy, with the final draft submitted to President Abdelmadjid Tebboune for approval in June. This strategy aims to transition from paper-based to digital management, increase transparency, reduce bureaucracy, broaden access to information, and boost economic performance while maintaining high service quality. The five-year plan, which concludes in 2029, is built on two main pillars: a forthcoming digitization law and enhanced information and cybersecurity measures. The new law will establish a regulatory framework for the digital sphere.?
Ethiopian PM Launches Digital Training Initiative for Youth
The Ethiopian Prime Minister has launched an initiative to train 5 million Ethiopian youth in digital technology, artificial intelligence, and related digitalization skills. The initiative, known as InsheTV, aims to create a movement of 5 million Ethiopian coders over the next three years. Implemented in collaboration with the United Arab Emirates, the Five Million Ethiopian Coders Initiative seeks to provide comprehensive digital technology training. This effort is designed to empower Ethiopian youth with the skills needed to thrive in the digital age.
Uganda Launches AI Taskforce Amid Youth Criticism
The Ugandan government has launched a taskforce on artificial intelligence, aimed at developing a comprehensive concept note to guide technological interventions, as announced by the Uganda Communications Commission. The taskforce, chaired by Micheal Bamwesigye, was launched on July 26 and is mandated to create a framework for AI's integration into the country's development agenda. The announcement has sparked a passionate debate among Ugandan youth, many of whom have taken to social media to criticise the lack of representation from their age group. With an average age of taskforce members well above 45, critics argue that the team may not fully understand the digital landscape and aspirations of the younger generation.
African Start-up Investments Surpass $1 Billion in 2024
Start-up investments in Africa for 2024 have now exceeded the $1 billion mark, according to Africa: The Big Deal. The ecosystem closed the first half of 2024 with nearly $800 million raised, and recent significant deals have contributed to this milestone. While the pace of investments hasn't matched the rapid growth seen in the past three years, this progress suggests that 2024 might outperform the investment figures of 2019 and 2020, marking a strong recovery and growth trajectory for the African start-up ecosystem
The Lawyers Hub is an organization based in Kenya working at the confluence of Law, Policy, and Technology. We run capacity-building initiatives on data protection, AI policy and regulation, justice innovation, and the impacts of tech regulation on the African continent, all under the Africa Digital Policy Institute umbrella. We also offer technical legal support to innovators and startups through the Africa Startup Law Accelerator. Additionally, we convene weekly policy discussions and bring together digital policy and technology actors annually at the Africa Law Tech Festival in July. Every December we convene judicial actors during the Africa Legal Innovation Week. The Lawyers Hub is also the publisher of the Africa Journal on Law & Tech. Our thematic focus areas include AI and Data Governance, Digital Platforms and Infrastructure Regulation, Intellectual Property, Internet Governance, Justice-Tech, and Digital Democracy.Learn more about who we are and what we do.
Subscribe to our email newsletter to receive the inside scoop on Law & Tech!