On 12 August 2023, the Inter-University Council of East Africa (IUCEA), and the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO), supported by GIZ through the Digital Skills for an Innovative East African Industry project (dSkills@EA), successfully concluded a co-creation workshop on the establishment of an East African Digital Skills, AI Research, and Innovation Alliance in Arusha, Tanzania, at the sidelines of the Regional Education Conference.
The conference was organised in response to the deliberations of the 19th meeting of the EAC Sectoral Council of Education, Science and Technology, Culture, and Sports (SCESTCS) held on June 22, 2024, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where the council emphasised the need to engage stakeholders and Partner States in establishing a digital skills alliance.
The workshop brought together key stakeholders from across the region, including representatives from academia, the private sector, civil society, and Partner States, to discuss the creation of a regional alliance aimed at enhancing digital skills, research, and innovation.
Dr. Irene Charles Isaka, the Director of the Social Sector at the EAC, informed the meeting that the EAC pre-conference workshop is in line with Article 105 of the EAC Treaty and addresses the goals set in the EAC Strategic Plan 2025. It also follows the Sectoral Council Directive aimed at advancing digital transformation in the region.
She observed that by forming the alliance and utilising the combined expertise and commitments of development partners, the meeting has set the stage for a coordinated approach to integrating emerging technologies both regionally and globally. She further highlighted that Digital skills are critical and cut across all sectors, including health, services, and industries, to drive sustainable development in East Africa.
Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, Executive Secretary of IUCEA, stated, "Our region's educational institutions play a critical role in fostering innovation and driving socio-economic development. The establishment of this Alliance will demonstrate the commitment of our academic institutions, industry partners, and policymakers to work together to address the digital skills gap and ensure that our students are equipped for the challenges of the future."
Dr. Sylvance Okoth, Executive Secretary of EASTECO, stated, "Our mandate is to promote and coordinate the development of science, technology, and innovation to support regional integration for socio-economic development. Establishing the alliance will provide a platform to consolidate the various science and technology policies of the Partner States and develop a comprehensive regional Artificial Intelligence Framework that will drive the uptake of AI technology for socio-economic development in East Africa."
Mr. David Roos, Project Manager at dSkills@EA, stated that the EAC Education Conference marked a significant step forward with a crucial partner meeting focused on implementing the East African Digital Skills, AI Research, and Innovation Alliance. This initiative was endorsed by the EAC Education Ministers at the 19th Sectoral Council meeting. Under the leadership of the EAC Secretariat, IUCEA, EASTECO, and EABC, this partner-oriented initiative aims to unite member states, the private sector, and civil society in addressing the challenges at the intersection between higher education and economic integration.
The meeting recommended the following actions:
Share a whitepaper of the recommendations of the meeting with all stakeholders and hold a validation session for feedback and alignment.
Develop an implementation roadmap, constitute a founding board, and aim for a launch in early 2025.
Draft an inclusive strategic plan to address key needs such as raising awareness and political will, securing resources for local AI solutions, and building regional AI skills and infrastructure.
Advocate for the development of an EAC regional Artificial Intelligence Strategy to guide the implementation of Digital Skills, AI Research, and Innovation Alliance in the region.
The outcomes of the workshop were presented to a wider network at the Inaugural EAC Regional Education Conference on 13 August 2024. The subsequent collaboration with all stakeholders will play a critical role in shaping the region’s AI technological landscape. The workshop aligns with the African Union's focus on 2024 as the Year of Education, which aims to address the pressing educational challenges within Africa.
Find more information on dSkills@EA here.