East African AI infrastructure development

East African nations are pursuing initiatives to establish themselves as regional hubs for artificial intelligence (AI) through infrastructure development and international partnerships.

In Rwanda, Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva has outlined a framework for AI sovereignty centered on data governance, infrastructure access, and local economic margins. To support this, the Rwanda AI hub—a collaboration involving the government, the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and the Gates Foundation—is being promoted. The Gates Foundation has committed approximately US$7.4 million over 34 months to these initiatives, which include testing the Kinyarwanda voice assistant, Tunga, to assist in sectors like agriculture.

Similarly, Uganda is exploring digital transformation through discussions between President Yoweri Museveni and Hive Global Group chairman Mehamood Hosein. The proposed partnership aims to establish ‘The Global AI Village’ and HIVE Uganda, an initiative designed to integrate AI computing centers, research, and energy infrastructure to position the country as an exporter of AI-powered services.