The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has called for the development and adoption of a comprehensive Pan-African framework on Artificial Intelligence (AI), urging African countries to collectively shape the governance and deployment of emerging technologies in ways that protect human rights, democracy and the continent’s digital sovereignty.
The organisation warned that Africa risks becoming merely a consumer of technologies designed outside the continent if governments fail to work together to address the opportunities and threats posed by AI.
In a statement issued in Lagos to commemorate Africa Day 2026, MRA noted that the rapid expansion of AI technologies presents Africa with unprecedented possibilities for innovation and development, but also serious risks that could undermine democratic values and civic freedoms if left unchecked.
Programme Officer of MRA, Ms. Ayomide Eweje, explained that Africa Day, which commemorates the founding of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963, represents not only a celebration of African unity but also an opportunity to redefine the continent’s digital future.
“The vision of a united, free, and prosperous Africa now extends to the digital domain,” Eweje said, stressing that the principles of Pan-Africanism should guide how the continent develops, governs, and benefits from artificial intelligence.
According to her, AI is already transforming critical sectors globally, including journalism, governance, education, healthcare, elections, business and public communication, with far reaching implications for democracy, freedom of expression, media freedom and socio-economic development across Africa.
While acknowledging the benefits of AI in strengthening public services, expanding access to information, and combating misinformation, Eweje warned that the technology could also be used for mass surveillance, manipulation of public opinion, suppression of civic space and the spread of deepfakes and synthetic disinformation.
She therefore urged African governments, civil society organisations, media professionals, academic institutions, technology experts and citizens to collaborate on building what she described as “a distinctly African, rights-respecting, people centred and development oriented AI governance architecture.”
MRA proposed that the framework should prioritise respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, particularly freedom of expression, media independence, privacy and protection of personal data.
The organisation also called for transparency and accountability in algorithmic systems, public oversight of AI deployment, inclusion of African languages and cultures, prevention of algorithmic discrimination, and equitable access to AI technologies.
Eweje further warned against what she described as “data colonialism” where African populations merely provide data to global technology corporations without meaningful ownership, accountability, or economic benefit.
“Africa must avoid reproducing patterns of digital dependency,” she said, calling on the African Union (AU) to initiate an inclusive process towards the adoption of an African Charter or Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Rights.
The organisation also stressed the need for broad stakeholder consultations involving civil society groups, women’s organisations, youth groups, persons with disabilities, journalists, media organisations, academics, and technology communities in the development of AI policies and regulations.
MRA identified media and information literacy as another critical component of Africa’s AI future, noting that citizens must be equipped with the skills to recognise misinformation, understand algorithmic systems, identify deepfakes, and participate meaningfully in digital governance processes.
Reaffirming its commitment to ethical approaches to emerging technologies MRA said it would continue working with stakeholders across Africa and globally to promote digital rights, freedom of expression, access to information, democratic accountability and media freedom in the evolving AI landscape.
