# African digital sovereignty and AI regulation efforts > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/african-digital-sovereignty-and-ai-regulation-efforts > Updated: 2026-09-16T22:04:28.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2. Discussions regarding African digital sovereignty and technological governance have centered on events in Dakar, Senegal. The 5th edition of the Rentrée numérique focused on the geostrategic importance of digital technology, emphasizing the need for the continent to manage its own infrastructure, such as data centers and undersea cables, to avoid external dependency. Professor Abdoullah Cissé noted that Africa must move toward “actively participating in the creation of its rules.” Following these discussions, the Senegalese National Assembly hosted a regional workshop specifically targeting the regulation of artificial intelligence in Francophone Africa. This event involved parliamentarians from Senegal, Benin, Burkina Faso, and Côte d’Ivoire. The workshop aimed to develop legal and ethical frameworks for AI that address personal data protection and citizen rights, with leaders emphasizing the need for African parliaments to master these technological challenges to protect the general interest. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-16: Senegal hosts regional workshop on AI regulation in Dakar Senegal's National Assembly is hosting a regional workshop in Dakar to discuss AI regulation and legal frameworks for Francophone African nations. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/senegal-hosts-regional-workshop-on-ai-regulation-in-dakar ### 2026-09-08: Dakar hosts Rentrée numérique to address African digital sovereignty The 5th Rentrée numérique in Dakar addresses Africa's digital sovereignty, focusing on AI, cybersecurity, and the need for the continent to shape global digital rules and reduce technological dependency. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dakar-hosts-rentre-numrique-to-address-african-digital-sovereignty --- Cite as: African digital sovereignty and AI regulation efforts. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/african-digital-sovereignty-and-ai-regulation-efforts