Artificial Intelligence (AI) has moved from concept to classroom, reshaping how learners acquire knowledge and how educators deliver it. In Europe, the EU has anchored AI in its Digital Decade Vision, allocating over €1.3 billion to AI, cybersecurity, and digital skills. The recently enacted EU AI Act requires AI literacy in education, ensuring that institutions adopt ethical and transparent practices while remaining globally competitive. These measures position AI competence as a core skill, much like digital literacy was a decade ago.
In East Africa, universities are taking steps to align with global standards and use AI responsibly. As the digital economy increasingly depends on AI-driven innovation, EAC institutions are equipping graduates to drive change in areas such as healthcare, agriculture, and regional economic integration. This approach strengthens the region’s higher education systems and ensures graduates can contribute to both regional development and the international labour market.
This is why the 16th Annual Conference of the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), held in July 2025, brought together ministers, university leaders, and development partners to shape a common approach to the region’s readiness for emerging technologies. Under the theme “Reflections on Global Education Trends and their Implications on the EAC Higher Education Landscape”, the conference adopted resolutions to accelerate AI integration and digital transformation, with commitments to policy reform, capacity building, and strategic partnerships.
Cementing strategic partnerships, the panel session on “Advancing AI Readiness in East African Higher Education” served as a launchpad for the BMZ-commissioned EAC AI Alliance project. The session recognised global trends in AI education and laid the foundations for a coordinated regional response. Key commitments included:
UNESCO aligning its Campus Africa initiatives with the Alliance, providing policy support, capacity building, and regional engagement through platforms like the Umoja Hackathon.
IBM co-designing micro-credentials and mentoring universities on responsible AI adoption via its Skills Build platform.
Strathmore University contributing research on AI applications for healthcare and agriculture while fostering peer learning across institutions.
NM-AIST offering its Centre of Excellence in ICT and Cybersecurity as a regional hub for joint training and programmes.
The EAC AI Alliance outlined a transformative strategy for higher education by establishing a regional platform for AI collaboration through the Regional Centre of Excellence on AI, aiming to:
Facilitate pooled investments and harmonise AI curricula and learning paths across EAC universities.
Embed ethical and inclusive AI adoption, leveraging UNESCO’s global training frameworks.
Pilot transdisciplinary programmes and expand university–industry partnerships to match skills with market needs.
Propose a unified framework for micro-credentials to support lifelong learning and workforce development.
Looking ahead, GIZ, working with IUCEA and partners, will focus on three pillars: advancing cross-border AI research to address regional challenges, integrating inclusive, practice-based AI curricula to equip learners with industry-relevant skills, and supporting harmonised, gender-responsive policies for responsible AI adoption.
With varying national strategies and infrastructure levels, harmonising AI standards is critical for regional progress. The conference encouraged universities to join the EAC AI Alliance network to strengthen AI expertise, foster industry partnerships, and enhance teaching quality. It also provided a platform for education ministries, regulatory bodies, and development partners to align efforts, ensuring AI adoption across the region is ethical, inclusive, and sustainable.