EAC Adopts Regional AI Strategy Centered on Universities

In Short

The East African Community (EAC) has adopted a regional artificial intelligence strategy that puts universities at the centre of building AI skills, research and innovation across member states.

The EAC said the immediate change is a push to introduce foundational AI education across undergraduate disciplines. It also includes a regional network of universities and new standards for Kiswahili AI systems.

What Happened

Ministers responsible for education, science and technology, culture and sports adopted the EAC Artificial Intelligence Strategy alongside the bloc’s Digital Transformation Strategy and Biotechnology Strategy.

The strategies were adopted during the 21st Sectoral Council meeting in Kampala, Uganda, which ran from 27 to 31 October 2026.

The EAC Secretariat developed the three strategies in collaboration with the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO).

The EAC said the strategies provide a common framework for technology development and application across education, agriculture, healthcare, industry and public administration. The Community also said the strategies aim to address gaps in infrastructure, skills, policy and governance.

Why It Matters

As part of the AI strategy, ministers approved an AI Foundational Module for Higher Education Institutions. The module is intended to give undergraduate students essential knowledge and practical competencies regardless of their area of study.

Partner states were directed to consider adopting the module across university degree programmes. The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) was tasked with developing a regional implementation framework to guide the rollout.

The decision follows earlier work to establish a common approach to AI literacy in higher education. The EAC, IUCEA and EASTECO held a regional workshop in Dar es Salaam to validate the draft module, bringing together universities, regulators, AI experts and development partners.

IUCEA said institutions within the Regional AI Network of Universities that demonstrate the necessary readiness would be considered for piloting the curriculum.