Africa has secured eight seats on the newly established AI for Good Global Commission, strengthening the continent’s representation in a global body tasked with shaping the future of artificial intelligence governance.
The commission, launched by the International Telecommunication Union, held its inaugural meeting in Geneva on July 8 during the AI for Good Global Summit. Its 44 founding members are drawn from governments, international organizations and the private sector, and the body has been established to promote the responsible development and adoption of AI while ensuring developing countries have a voice in shaping the technology’s future.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame will serve as co-chair alongside Salesforce chief executive Marc Benioff — an appointment that places an African leader in one of the body’s most senior positions. It also reflects Rwanda’s growing profile in global AI policy following its hosting of the inaugural Global AI Summit on Africa in 2025 and its recent establishment of a National AI Office.
“Technology is supposed to be a force for good, and we have a responsibility to use it accordingly,” Kagame said.
Africa’s government representation on the commission also includes Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani; Namibia’s Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus; and Togo’s Minister of Public Sector Efficiency and Digital Transformation, Cina Lawson.
Tijani has been at the forefront of Nigeria’s efforts to expand digital infrastructure, develop technology talent and strengthen the country’s innovation ecosystem. Theofelus, who became one of the world’s youngest cabinet ministers when she was appointed in 2020, has emerged as a prominent advocate for youth participation in digital policy. Lawson has led Togo’s digital transformation agenda for more than a decade, overseeing several initiatives aimed at modernizing public services through technology.
The African Union is represented by Lerato Dorothy Mataboge, the AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, whose portfolio covers the continent’s ICT and digital development agenda, including implementation of the African Union’s Continental AI Strategy.
Africa’s private sector seat goes to MTN Group president and chief executive Ralph Mupita. As head of the continent’s largest mobile network operator by subscriber base, Mupita brings the perspective of one of Africa’s largest digital infrastructure providers at a time when telecoms are expected to play a central role in expanding access to AI technologies and digital services.
The commission also includes two Africans leading major international organizations. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of the World Trade Organization, and Egypt’s Khaled El-Enany, director-general of UNESCO, join the body in their capacities as heads of their respective institutions, bringing African perspectives to global trade, education and AI governance discussions.
The composition reflects Africa’s growing influence in international AI conversations. Rather than concentrating on the continent’s largest economies alone, the appointments bring together leaders from government, regional institutions, telecommunications and international organizations with experience in digital transformation and technology policy.
Notably, Kenya — which has been active in AI diplomacy over the past year — does not have direct representation on the commission, while South Africa’s participation comes through the African Union and MTN rather than direct government representation.
The AI for Good Global Commission has been established to provide strategic guidance on expanding access to artificial intelligence, strengthening trust in AI systems and ensuring developing countries are included in global AI governance discussions. Its recommendations will be voluntary rather than binding, but its membership gives Africa a stronger voice in conversations expected to shape the future development, regulation and adoption of AI worldwide.
