December 2025 - netsociety - server-nexa.polito.it

Re: [netsociety] Sharing Insights: Policy Brief from the Africa AI Stakeholder Meeting in Accra

by Alex Gakuru

Gratitude, Isobel for sharing! As read through, note a mention of *proposed* (now moribund) *Kenya Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Bill*. 2023. I proudly led the efforts to kill it;-). (see *Why IT experts want State to reject the new robotics bill * https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/bd/economy/why-it-experts-want-state-to… - *paywall*) also reported here: https://techmoran.com/2024/02/08/experts-reject-the-proposed-robotics-bill/ ) Beyond the title, the proposed legislation had really nothing addressing AI regulation. It essentially set out to establish a new "Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Society" - a state-funded institution to (weirdly) license the practice of AI locally. In which case, Kenyans are better served without such a new legislative chokehold on evolving technology and society, never mind exists Societies Act mandate for new societies registration. https://new.kenyalaw.org/akn/ke/act/1968/4/eng@2022-12-31 again, thanks heaps! greetings, a. On Mon, Dec 22, 2025 at 2:57 PM Isobel Acquah <iacquah(a)certafoundation.rw> wrote: > Alex, absolutely. > > Please see our 2024 Report > < > https://www.certafoundation.rw/resource/state-of-ai-regulation-in-africa-tr… > >that > expands on the same. > > Kind regards, > > Isobel > > On Sat, Dec 20, 2025 at 7:23 PM Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > Greetings from Nairobi, > > > > Thanks for sharing your initiative Fabiola. I didn't know about it until > > now. > > > > Kindly note that some African countries current AI position is > > having no policy as their policy, especially when dealing with a moving > > target which Artificial Intelligence is. > > > > Kindest regards, > > > > Alex > > > > On Thu, Dec 18, 2025, 5:01 PM Uwera Fabiola <fuwera(a)certafoundation.rw> > > wrote: > > > > > Dear fellow members of the Global Network of Internet and Society > > Research > > > Centers (NoC), > > > > > > In collaboration with the Global Network of the Internet Society, we > had > > > the privilege of convening stakeholders from over 20 countries for the > > > Africa > > > AI Stakeholder Meeting on Innovative Governance and Capacity Building, > > held > > > on Sept. 30 & Oct. 1, 2025, in Accra, Ghana. > > > > > > On behalf of the Center for Law and Innovation at the Certa > Foundation, I > > > am pleased to share the attached policy brief, > > > < > https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QEJOzdZA_muimNXkz8Gp6ZAiLQJXlrna/view> > > > which > > > captures the collective insights and lessons learned from these > > stakeholder > > > engagements. > > > > > > Beyond the technical outcomes, the partnerships and friendships > > established > > > during the meeting were equally meaningful. We are especially grateful > > for > > > Guio Armando, Fabro Steibel, Marcus Siewert, and Fieseler Christian for > > > their invaluable contributions and for sharing their diverse global > > > experiences. > > > > > > During the meeting, several stakeholders expressed strong support for > the > > > NoC to establish an African Regional Hub within its network. This hub > > would > > > be dedicated to advancing African priorities in AI and digital > > governance. > > > We hope this initiative marks the beginning of deeper collaboration, > and > > we > > > look forward to working alongside you and other networks to shape > > Africa’s > > > AI ecosystem. > > > > > > Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or would > > like > > > to discuss potential ideas for future collaboration. > > > > > > Happy holidays! > > > > > > Best, > > > Fabiola > > > > > > > > > Fabiola Uwera | *Associate Director Certa Foundation* > > > > > > T: +250788266460 > > > > > > E: fuwera@certafoundation. rw <http://certafoundation.rw/> > > > > > > 1st Floor, ECD Plaza, 23 KN 4 Ave > > > <https://www.google.com/maps/search/23+KN+4+Ave?entry=gmail&source=g> > > > > > > [image: LinkedIn icon] [image: Twitter icon] > > > _______________________________________________ > > > netsociety mailing list > > > netsociety(a)server-nexa.polito.it > > > https://server-nexa.polito.it/mailman/listinfo/netsociety > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > netsociety mailing list > > netsociety(a)server-nexa.polito.it > > https://server-nexa.polito.it/mailman/listinfo/netsociety > > > > > -- > > > *Isobel Acquah * *| Africa Director Certa Foundation* > > *T:* +250792400999 > > *E: iacquah(a)certafoundation.rw <iacquah(a)certafoundation.rw>* > 1st Floor, ECD Plaza , 23 KN 4 Ave > > > [image: LinkedIn icon] > <https://www.linkedin.com/company/foundation-certa/?originalSubdomain=rw> > [image: Twitter icon] [image: Instagram icon] > <https://www.instagram.com/certafoundation/> > _______________________________________________ > netsociety mailing list > netsociety(a)server-nexa.polito.it > https://server-nexa.polito.it/mailman/listinfo/netsociety >

Dec. 22, 2025

Re: [netsociety] Sharing Insights: Policy Brief from the Africa AI Stakeholder Meeting in Accra

by Isobel Acquah

Alex, absolutely. Please see our 2024 Report <https://www.certafoundation.rw/resource/state-of-ai-regulation-in-africa-tr…>that expands on the same. Kind regards, Isobel On Sat, Dec 20, 2025 at 7:23 PM Alex Gakuru <gakuru(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Greetings from Nairobi, > > Thanks for sharing your initiative Fabiola. I didn't know about it until > now. > > Kindly note that some African countries current AI position is > having no policy as their policy, especially when dealing with a moving > target which Artificial Intelligence is. > > Kindest regards, > > Alex > > On Thu, Dec 18, 2025, 5:01 PM Uwera Fabiola <fuwera(a)certafoundation.rw> > wrote: > > > Dear fellow members of the Global Network of Internet and Society > Research > > Centers (NoC), > > > > In collaboration with the Global Network of the Internet Society, we had > > the privilege of convening stakeholders from over 20 countries for the > > Africa > > AI Stakeholder Meeting on Innovative Governance and Capacity Building, > held > > on Sept. 30 & Oct. 1, 2025, in Accra, Ghana. > > > > On behalf of the Center for Law and Innovation at the Certa Foundation, I > > am pleased to share the attached policy brief, > > <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QEJOzdZA_muimNXkz8Gp6ZAiLQJXlrna/view> > > which > > captures the collective insights and lessons learned from these > stakeholder > > engagements. > > > > Beyond the technical outcomes, the partnerships and friendships > established > > during the meeting were equally meaningful. We are especially grateful > for > > Guio Armando, Fabro Steibel, Marcus Siewert, and Fieseler Christian for > > their invaluable contributions and for sharing their diverse global > > experiences. > > > > During the meeting, several stakeholders expressed strong support for the > > NoC to establish an African Regional Hub within its network. This hub > would > > be dedicated to advancing African priorities in AI and digital > governance. > > We hope this initiative marks the beginning of deeper collaboration, and > we > > look forward to working alongside you and other networks to shape > Africa’s > > AI ecosystem. > > > > Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or would > like > > to discuss potential ideas for future collaboration. > > > > Happy holidays! > > > > Best, > > Fabiola > > > > > > Fabiola Uwera | *Associate Director Certa Foundation* > > > > T: +250788266460 > > > > E: fuwera@certafoundation. rw <http://certafoundation.rw/> > > > > 1st Floor, ECD Plaza, 23 KN 4 Ave > > <https://www.google.com/maps/search/23+KN+4+Ave?entry=gmail&source=g> > > > > [image: LinkedIn icon] [image: Twitter icon] > > _______________________________________________ > > netsociety mailing list > > netsociety(a)server-nexa.polito.it > > https://server-nexa.polito.it/mailman/listinfo/netsociety > > > _______________________________________________ > netsociety mailing list > netsociety(a)server-nexa.polito.it > https://server-nexa.polito.it/mailman/listinfo/netsociety > -- *Isobel Acquah * *| Africa Director Certa Foundation* *T:* +250792400999 *E: iacquah(a)certafoundation.rw <iacquah(a)certafoundation.rw>* 1st Floor, ECD Plaza , 23 KN 4 Ave [image: LinkedIn icon] <https://www.linkedin.com/company/foundation-certa/?originalSubdomain=rw> [image: Twitter icon] [image: Instagram icon] <https://www.instagram.com/certafoundation/>

Dec. 22, 2025

Re: [netsociety] Sharing Insights: Policy Brief from the Africa AI Stakeholder Meeting in Accra

by Alex Gakuru

Greetings from Nairobi, Thanks for sharing your initiative Fabiola. I didn't know about it until now. Kindly note that some African countries current AI position is having no policy as their policy, especially when dealing with a moving target which Artificial Intelligence is. Kindest regards, Alex On Thu, Dec 18, 2025, 5:01 PM Uwera Fabiola <fuwera(a)certafoundation.rw> wrote: > Dear fellow members of the Global Network of Internet and Society Research > Centers (NoC), > > In collaboration with the Global Network of the Internet Society, we had > the privilege of convening stakeholders from over 20 countries for the > Africa > AI Stakeholder Meeting on Innovative Governance and Capacity Building, held > on Sept. 30 & Oct. 1, 2025, in Accra, Ghana. > > On behalf of the Center for Law and Innovation at the Certa Foundation, I > am pleased to share the attached policy brief, > <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QEJOzdZA_muimNXkz8Gp6ZAiLQJXlrna/view> > which > captures the collective insights and lessons learned from these stakeholder > engagements. > > Beyond the technical outcomes, the partnerships and friendships established > during the meeting were equally meaningful. We are especially grateful for > Guio Armando, Fabro Steibel, Marcus Siewert, and Fieseler Christian for > their invaluable contributions and for sharing their diverse global > experiences. > > During the meeting, several stakeholders expressed strong support for the > NoC to establish an African Regional Hub within its network. This hub would > be dedicated to advancing African priorities in AI and digital governance. > We hope this initiative marks the beginning of deeper collaboration, and we > look forward to working alongside you and other networks to shape Africa’s > AI ecosystem. > > Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or would like > to discuss potential ideas for future collaboration. > > Happy holidays! > > Best, > Fabiola > > > Fabiola Uwera | *Associate Director Certa Foundation* > > T: +250788266460 > > E: fuwera@certafoundation. rw <http://certafoundation.rw/> > > 1st Floor, ECD Plaza, 23 KN 4 Ave > <https://www.google.com/maps/search/23+KN+4+Ave?entry=gmail&source=g> > > [image: LinkedIn icon] [image: Twitter icon] > _______________________________________________ > netsociety mailing list > netsociety(a)server-nexa.polito.it > https://server-nexa.polito.it/mailman/listinfo/netsociety >

Dec. 20, 2025

Sharing Insights: Policy Brief from the Africa AI Stakeholder Meeting in Accra

by Uwera Fabiola

Dear fellow members of the Global Network of Internet and Society Research Centers (NoC), In collaboration with the Global Network of the Internet Society, we had the privilege of convening stakeholders from over 20 countries for the Africa AI Stakeholder Meeting on Innovative Governance and Capacity Building, held on Sept. 30 & Oct. 1, 2025, in Accra, Ghana. On behalf of the Center for Law and Innovation at the Certa Foundation, I am pleased to share the attached policy brief, <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QEJOzdZA_muimNXkz8Gp6ZAiLQJXlrna/view> which captures the collective insights and lessons learned from these stakeholder engagements. Beyond the technical outcomes, the partnerships and friendships established during the meeting were equally meaningful. We are especially grateful for Guio Armando, Fabro Steibel, Marcus Siewert, and Fieseler Christian for their invaluable contributions and for sharing their diverse global experiences. During the meeting, several stakeholders expressed strong support for the NoC to establish an African Regional Hub within its network. This hub would be dedicated to advancing African priorities in AI and digital governance. We hope this initiative marks the beginning of deeper collaboration, and we look forward to working alongside you and other networks to shape Africa’s AI ecosystem. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or would like to discuss potential ideas for future collaboration. Happy holidays! Best, Fabiola Fabiola Uwera | *Associate Director Certa Foundation* T: +250788266460 E: fuwera@certafoundation. rw <http://certafoundation.rw/> 1st Floor, ECD Plaza, 23 KN 4 Ave [image: LinkedIn icon] [image: Twitter icon]

Dec. 18, 2025

PhD opportunity on AI Regulatory Sandboxes in Finland - Deadline 17/12

by Thiago Guimaraes Moraes

Dear all, I would like to share a very interesting PhD opportunity from Oulu University in Finland, which will support the development of the Finnish AI Regulatory Sandbox under the EU AI Act: https://oulunyliopisto.varbi.com/fi/what:job/jobID:878414/ Deadline is next week, 17/12, so for those who are interested, you should not waste time. Feel free to share with other colleagues who might be interested! Kind regards, Thiago Moraes

Dec. 12, 2025

Call for Interest: Strategic Multistakeholder Dialogue at the India AI Impact Summit

by Jhalak Kakkar

Dear NoC colleagues, In advance of and alongside the February 2026 India AI Impact Summit <https://impact.indiaai.gov.in/about-summit>, the Centre for Communication Governance <https://ccgdelhi.org/> (CCG) at the National Law University Delhi and the Global Network Initiative (GNI) will host a “Strategic Multistakeholder Dialogue” (Dialogue) in New Delhi, as part of our new project on advancing Multistakeholder Approaches to Participation in AI governance (MAP-AI) <https://globalnetworkinitiative.org/enabling-multistakeholder-approaches-to…> . As part of the Dialogue, we will organize two events: - A shared learning Forum on AI on 16 February for academics, think tank and civil society experts, and researchers. - A multistakeholder event on AI governance on 17 February for high-level company, think tank, civil society, academic, foundation, government, and international organization leaders. These invitation-only convenings will focus on the key themes highlighted in the Summit agenda and identified by consultations by GNI and CCG. We aim to foster in-depth discussions among diverse participants on the associated opportunities, risks, harms, mitigations, and other considerations of AI technologies that might otherwise not be understood without diverse civil society participation. Our activities will be organized in order to identify and promote multistakeholder insights with the aim for these to be incorporated into the formal Summit discussions and outputs. We are opening a Call for Interest <https://forms.gle/TG8eu6KBFKFJppu36> from academics, think tank and civil society experts, and researchers who wish to participate in these Dialogue events (both days) in New Delhi. Please fill out the form by December 10, 2025 to be considered for participation. We also have limited travel support to support the participation of stakeholders working in Global South countries. If you would like to apply for travel support, please additionally fill out this form <https://airtable.com/appIMhewt2kRC1xFg/pagXEh6zxyXokJ8aQ/form> by December 10, 2025. The high-level criteria to be used in determining invitations and travel support are below. - Demonstrated expertise in tech policy, or digital rights, or technical systems, or other relevant domains. - Demonstrated expertise in our tentative event themes (global AI governance, trust & safety in AI, context-driven AI infrastructure, and AI inclusion & access), including published work or other relevant outputs. - Experts from a range of sectors. - Experts from a range of regions, with an emphasis on the Global South. - A diversity of perspectives. Thank you so much! We appreciate your time and interest in attending these events. Best, Jhalak *Jhalak Mrignayani Kakkar * *Executive Director | Visiting Professor* *B.A. / LL.B (Hons.) (NUJS), LL.M (Harvard Law School, Fulbright Nehru Scholar)* *Centre for Communication Governance | National Law University Delhi* *Sector-14, Dwarka, New Delhi - 110078* *www.ccgdelhi.org <http://www.ccgdelhi.org/>*. https://privacylibrary.ccgnlud.org/ <https://privacylibrary.ccgnlud.org/>. http://www.nludelhi.ac.in/

Dec. 1, 2025