The AI revolution will be African.
The first comprehensive, human rights based framework for ethical AI development in Africa—by Africans, for the world.
for
Policy makers
Build AI regulations that protect & innovate.
for
Tech builders
Build AI with human rights at the core, not as add-ons.
for
Advocacy & civil society
Hold AI accountable with concrete frameworks, not abstract principles.
Africa's relationship with AI must be defined not by adoption alone, but by ownership, co-creation, and leadership.
For too long, imported systems have shaped Africa’s technological future. The Toolbox changes that, putting African communities at the center of innovation.
Why the African AI toolbox?
African-Led
Built WITH African experts, FOR African contexts, BY African communities.
Case studies spanning Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia
10+ African researchers
Practical
Not theory. Not abstract. A step by step framework you can use Monday morning. 6 stages. Checklists. Real examples.
Integrates into existing workflow
Works for startups AND governments
Rights-based
Not vague ethics. Not abstract principles. Concrete human rights law with accountability & teeth.
Aligned with EU AI Act & international regulations
Real impact, real stories
From Malaria to Markets: 6 African AI Success Stories
Health
3D-Printed Hardware Meets AI: Uganda's Malaria Innovation
How Makerere AI Lab reduced diagnostic time from days to minutes using 3D-printed adapters and AI trained on local data and built with health workers as design partners.
Agriculture
Co-Created Solutions: Nigeria's Nsukka Yellow Pepper Project
How women pepper farmers in Nigeria co-designed real-time pest detection AI that solved crop mysteries—prioritizing their needs, not researcher assumptions.
How does the toolbox work?
6 Stages to build AI that actually serves people.
Stage 1: Objective + Team
Define purpose, build the right team
Start with the real problem—not the tech solution. Involve affected communities from day one. They’re experts in their own lives.
Stage 2: System Requirements
Design for reality, not ideal conditions
Makerere’s malaria AI runs offline because rural clinics have intermittent power and limited bandwidth. Context shapes every technical choice, not the other way around.
Stage 3: Data Discovery
Communities own their data. Period
When Kenyan grandmothers shared traditional stories in Dholuo, they retained sovereignty over their linguistic heritage. Community-based licensing means data isn’t extracted, it’s partnered.
Stage 4: Model Development
Build systems that strengthen communities, not just classify them
Kenyan Sign Language translation preserves complete language systems with regional variations and cultural nuances. The Deaf community evaluated every technical decision, ensuring technology empowers rather than marginalizes.
Stage 5: Testing & Interpretation
Test where it'll actually be used
Rural health workers tested malaria diagnostics in their actual clinics, not labs. Their feedback reshaped interfaces and decision transparency before a single deployment.
Stage 6: Deployment & Monitoring
Launch is the beginning, not the end
Five years into KenCorpus, systems still evolve with communities. Speech recognition improves with diverse speakers. Languages change, technology adapts because partnership is ongoing.
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FAQ
A practical framework for building AI with human rights at the core. Six stages from objective to deployment, grounded in real African case studies.
Researchers building AI systems, policymakers developing regulations, tech companies committed to responsible practice, and civil society organizations holding AI accountable.
Ethics are situational and abstract. Human rights are concrete international law with accountability mechanisms. They provide a universal foundation that works across contexts.
It integrates the Human Rights Impact Assessment framework from the Alan Turing Institute, which aligns with EU AI Act requirements. Using the Toolbox throughout development makes compliance easier.
Built in Africa, applicable globally. The methodology works anywhere communities need to be centered in AI development. Other regions are already adapting it.
Six-stage framework, reflection questions at each stage, formal assessment documentation templates, six African case studies, and access to online courses and community support.
Free. Download it, use it, share it.
The AI & Equality Human Rights Initiative in collaboration with the African Centre for Technology Studies, based on methodology developed by Women At The Table, in collaboration with EPFL and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Start at Stage 1 with your next AI project. Use the reflection questions for team discussions. Complete formal assessments at key milestones. Engage communities throughout, not just at the end.
It’s grounded in practice, not theory. Every stage includes real examples from African researchers. It integrates human rights law, not abstract principles. And it’s designed for communities to have genuine agency, not tokenistic consultation.
Blog
5 Lessons from sensors.AFRICA: How Community-Centered AI Actually Works
What makes AI truly community-centered? sensors.AFRICA’s 5 lessons reveal why data ownership and genuine participation matter more than technology alone.”
Why environmental data is an environmental justice issue
What happens when you design environmental data systems with marginalized communities instead of importing solutions? sensors.AFRICA shows the way.
5 Questions to Ask Before Deploying AI for Health in Africa
Five essential questions ensure AI health deployments in Africa are equitable, community-driven, and ethically grounded.