By Uzma Alam
As we observe Africa Day, let us recognize the immense potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to aid the continent’s pandemic preparedness efforts. By incorporating AI-driven solutions, we can enhance our ability to combat the ongoing crisis and better equip ourselves for future challenges
As Africa commemorates Africa Day, it’s imperative to delve deeper into the critical role that artificial intelligence (AI) can play in bolstering the continent’s pandemic preparedness efforts.
Amidst this discussion, it becomes increasingly apparent that the ratification of the Malabo Convention and the robust support for implementing the Africa Union Agenda 2063 are not just necessary steps but fundamental pillars for Africa’s advancement in healthcare resilience. Precisely, support for the Science, Technology, and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA) as the continental framework for accelerating Africa’s transition to an innovation-led, knowledge-based economy under the framework of Agenda 2063.
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the urgency for practical solutions to combat health crises. With its potential for early detection, predictive analytics, and efficient resource allocation, AI offers a promising avenue for enhancing Africa’s pandemic preparedness. However, deploying AI in a pandemic/epidemic calls for solid data governance addressing the transfer of personal data within and outside African borders and cybersecurity. This is precisely where the ratification of the Malabo Convention assumes paramount importance.
Malabo Convention, formally known as the African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection, is a legal instrument adopted by the African Union (AU) in 2014. However, its ratification has remained limited to date because data/cyber governance has political, cultural, and historical dimensions that hinder implementation. Additionally, political instability and conflicts further affect governance mechanisms in Africa.
Nonetheless, the power of African Union member nations lies in their collective action. By collaborating on data and cyber governance, we can effectively utilise AI technology to enhance our pandemic and epidemic response. This shared responsibility safeguards public health and builds resilient healthcare systems capable of responding to future health emergencies, strengthening global health security. Together, we can significantly impact our continent’s health landscape.
Secondly, suppose African countries do not come together and drive our data and cyber governance frameworks. In that case, we will rely on international standards not aligned with our context. Additionally, this could mean that the interests and capabilities of African nations may not be acknowledged in the global process.
In this regard, The Malabo Convention highlights the significance of African voices in shaping international policies and agreements, particularly in areas such as AI, where the Global North has historically dominated discussions and decision-making.
Unlike Western approaches, the Malabo Convention is contextualized to our continent’s specific challenges and opportunities. It considers factors such as limited infrastructure and diverse regional dynamics, ensuring it is a framework that genuinely understands and addresses our unique needs. Moreover, it goes beyond mere regulation by emphasizing the importance of fostering sustainable digital development across Africa.
Through collaboration, solidarity, and integration of indigenous knowledge, the Malabo Convention promotes collective action to strengthen cybersecurity measures and safeguard personal data. Its adaptable and flexible nature ensures that it remains relevant in the face of evolving threats and technological advancements, providing a robust framework for ensuring digital security and privacy while driving Africa’s digital transformation agenda forward.
As such, committing to the Malabo Convention would provide a unified framework for cyber governance norms and standards across the continent for safeguarding patient data, facilitating data sharing and collaboration, promoting ethical AI practices, and fostering innovation and investment in AI-driven healthcare solutions.
Thereby, by ratifying the convention, African countries can create a conducive environment for the responsible deployment of AI technologies in pandemic and epidemic response. This strengthens the continent’s resilience against pandemics and epidemics and instills confidence among healthcare providers, researchers, and patients in adopting AI-driven solutions for pandemic response. Moreover, as the initial phase of STISA draws to a close in 2024, it becomes increasingly vital to align with the upcoming iteration (STISA-2034).
Recommendations for which amplify Africa’s efforts to leverage AI for healthcare transformation. STISA 34 advocates for integrating cutting-edge technologies into Africa’s healthcare systems to address longstanding challenges and bridge existing gaps in healthcare delivery, including pandemic response. By embracing STISA 34, African nations can access funding, expertise, and collaborative opportunities to advance AI research, innovation, and capacity building for health, thereby accelerating their journey toward harnessing AI’s transformative potential in pandemic preparedness.
For instance, countries like Rwanda and Senegal have demonstrated commendable strides in leveraging AI for healthcare through initiatives like AI-powered diagnostics, telemedicine, and vaccine distribution management systems. These initiatives have been made possible by aligning their efforts with STISA-34, which has provided them with access to funding, expertise, and collaborative opportunities. By embracing STISA-34, these countries have expanded their AI-driven healthcare initiatives further, driving significant improvements in disease surveillance, treatment outcomes, and public health response strategies.
In conclusion, the ratification of the Malabo Convention and the steadfast support for STISA-34 represent crucial enablers for Africa’s journey towards harnessing AI’s transformative potential in pandemic preparedness.
As we commemorate Africa Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to collective action, regional cooperation, and innovation-driven approaches to building resilient healthcare systems that can effectively withstand future challenges.
The writer, Uzma Alam is a health expert.
