Research ICT Africa
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Research ICT Africa (RIA) is a think tank whose AI-policy work examines governance from African development and rights perspectives. Its research addresses the distribution of economic benefits, access to data and infrastructure, and the capacity of African societies to shape AI rather than simply receive systems and rules designed elsewhere.[1][2]
Early AI-policy research
RIA's AI in Africa Policy project ran from January 2020 to June 2021. Its public record connects the work to the International Development Research Centre's AI for Development initiative and describes research on policy frameworks, data justice and the political economy of AI. The project is recorded as completed; its original research plans should not be represented as a newly launched program.[3]
Its agenda included automated public services, digital identity, biometric surveillance, work and gender. The project record links outputs on gender in financial technology and on AI governance frameworks, illustrating an approach that examines institutions and social conditions alongside technical systems. The different reports have their own authors and methods; the project's umbrella description does not establish a uniform finding across every African country.[3]
Economic policy and liability
The April 2024 brief Navigating the Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Economic Development in Africa draws on desk research and interviews with policy, academic, regulatory and industry participants. It considers employment, competition, intellectual property, trade, taxation, liability and inequality. Its central question is which policies can create opportunities while reducing harms in African economies.[4]
The recommendations include access to relevant datasets, regional cooperation and competition measures addressing market concentration. On liability, the brief argues for stronger provider accountability, limits on contractual exclusions and distinctions between developers, service providers and compliant researchers. It also proposes changes to intellectual-property rules and disclosure where trade secrecy obstructs accountability. These are proposed reforms, not a summary of laws uniformly applicable across Africa. The brief treats economic governance as part of AI policy, rather than limiting regulation to model testing or safety thresholds.[4]
Just AI Framework of Inquiry
Pria Chetty and Araba Sey's October 2025 position paper introduces RIA's Just AI Framework of Inquiry. It argues that generic commitments to fairness or access can leave structural inequality intact. The framework asks how design and governance distribute power, resources, knowledge and environmental costs, with particular attention to communities whose experience is underrepresented in datasets and policy forums.[2]
The paper advocates locally grounded research, meaningful participation and scrutiny across the AI value chain. It identifies the framework as a developing research and policy tool rather than a certification scheme or binding standard. The publication discloses support from IDRC and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and states that its views do not necessarily represent those funders.[2]
International governance participation
In February 2025, RIA published a record of its submission on proposed UN global AI-governance mechanisms. The intervention concerned the structure and operation of an independent scientific panel and a global dialogue, following the Global Digital Compact. It addressed their role within the UN system and how they could support effective participation.[5]
This record establishes RIA's participation in a consultation process. It does not establish that RIA authored the eventual institutional arrangements or that all its recommendations were adopted. Its work connects national and regional research with debate over who contributes evidence and sets priorities in international AI governance.[5]
Selected contributions
- AI in Africa Policy project (2020–2021).[3]
- AI and economic-development policy brief (April 2024).[4]
- UN governance consultation submission (February 2025).[5]
- Just AI Framework of Inquiry (October 2025).[2]
Related articles
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Research ICT Africa, About. Accessed September 12, 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Pria Chetty and Araba Sey, RIA Just AI Framework of Inquiry, October 2025. Accessed September 12, 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Research ICT Africa, AI in Africa Policy (AI4D), project record. Accessed September 12, 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Research ICT Africa, Navigating the Intersection of AI and Economic Development in Africa, April 2024. Accessed September 12, 2026.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Scott Timcke, RIA Submits Input on UN Global AI Governance Mechanisms, February 19, 2025. Accessed September 12, 2026.