Johannesburg – The next phase of artificial intelligence (AI) development should be shaped with Africa “rather than about or for the continent”, says Sunil Geness, SAP’s Director of Global Government Affairs and CSR for Africa.
His comments follow the launch of the AI for Good Global Commission, announced yesterday, Thursday, 2 July 2026, by international leaders to expand access to AI, strengthen trust and accelerate its social and economic impact.
The commission brings together representatives from governments, businesses and international organisations to identify practical approaches to unlocking AI’s potential while promoting equitable access to the technology.
Its inaugural meeting will take place during the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) AI for Good Global Summit, scheduled for 7-10 July in Geneva, Switzerland.
The summit forms part of Digital Week, running from 6-10 July, alongside the first UN-mandated Global Dialogue on AI Governance and the WSIS Forum 2026.
Geness, who will participate in discussions at the summit, said Africa should approach global AI governance with a clear agenda focused on economic growth and inclusion.
“Africa must meet that room with clarity, not caution. Our agenda should be simple and bold: AI governance that expands prosperity,” Geness said on Friday, 3 July 2026.
“That means compute access, skills investment, trusted data systems, open standards, local-language innovation, accountable public procurement, and regulation that protects people without suffocating entrepreneurs.
“It means turning the African Union’s Continental AI Strategy from a document into national roadmaps, investment pipelines and regional cooperation.
“This is technology diplomacy: 54 nations aligning where they can, rather than negotiating as 54 separate voices.
“This is where I hope to add value.”
Africa’s representation on the commission has been strengthened through the appointment of Rwandan President Paul Kagame as co-chair alongside Salesforce chair and CEO Marc Benioff.
According to the ITU, the commission aims to promote equitable access to AI and help narrow the global digital divide.
The organisation said that with an estimated 2.2 billion people still offline, around one-quarter of the world’s population remains excluded from AI-driven opportunities.
“A key focus of the AI for Good Global Commission will be to bridge digital divides and help ensure that AI becomes a tool for solving global challenges, not deepening inequalities,” the ITU said.
President Kagame said technology should be used to reduce inequality and broaden access to AI’s benefits.
“One thing is certain… technology is supposed to be a force for good, and we have a responsibility to use it accordingly,” President Kagame said.
“Let us work together to reduce inequality, and allow more and more of our citizens to benefit from the good AI can deliver to all of us.”
Commenting further, Benioff said AI’s economic potential depended on maintaining public trust.
“The promise of AI is built on not only incredible opportunities for the growth of our economy, but on the foundation of trust that is required for our shared success,” Benioff said.
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin, vice-chair of the commission, said collaboration across sectors would be essential to ensuring AI benefits people globally.
Bogdan-Martin said: “No organisation can single-handedly put AI at the service of all humanity. It will take collective leadership and the combined expertise of partners from across sectors to ensure AI benefits all people, everywhere.”
