Defence Cabinet Secretary (CS) Soipan Tuya on Wednesday, August 27, officially opened the 2025 Africa Regional Workshop on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain (REAIM) at a Nairobi hotel.
The three-day event, co-hosted by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with partners from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Kingdom of Korea, and the Kingdom of Spain, brought together delegates and military personnel from 17 countries worldwide.
Speaking during the event, Tuya said the consultation marks a significant step towards the responsible use of AI in the military domain in Africa, emphasising collaboration, ethical frameworks, and the inclusion of diverse stakeholders.
She stated that the presence of the host nations and 17 African countries is a clear demonstration of Africa’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that AI is developed and applied in ways that promote peace, security and respect for human dignity.
Tuya also emphasised the importance of including youth in discussions about the responsible use of AI, as they are at the forefront of AI innovation.
Kenya’s role in hosting this consultation for the second consecutive year reflects our nation’s commitment to regional security leadership and our belief in collaborative approaches to emerging challenges. Our success in hosting previous events has strengthened our resolve to continue fostering meaningful dialogue on responsible AI in defence.
Tuya stated that the host nations, alongside the 17 African countries, will engage in critical discussions focusing on policy frameworks, practical technical standards, and ethical guidelines.
Additionally, she said the ongoing discussions will not only be about technology but also about shaping the future of African security, sovereignty and the protection of people.
Tuya also commended the Kenya Defence Forces for working tirelessly to organize the consultations with exceptional dedication and professionalism.
Defence University VC
Major General Joyce Sitienei, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Centre for Security and Strategic Studies at the National Defence University of Kenya (NDU-K), stated that defence universities are at the forefront of ensuring the responsible adoption of AI, guided by ethics and societal considerations, to serve the cause of peace and security.
General Sitienei stated that defence universities are not only centres of learning but also incubators of responsible leadership and innovation.
NDU-K’s commitment to responsible AI is ensuring that innovation strengthens our security while safeguarding humanity. That is the true measure of leadership.
Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Henk Jan Bakker, emphasised the importance of responsible AI development and global collaboration to mitigate risks and ensure AI serves humanity’s shared values.
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About the Military AI Summit
is an annual event that brings together states, industry, academia, and civil society to share perspectives and build institutions.
The aim was to collectively discuss ways to localise global AI initiatives, promote capacity-building, and strengthen Africa’s influence in shaping ethical AI governance.
It was organized in collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Disarmament (UNIDIR).
UNIDIR aims to enhance Africa’s involvement in responsible military Artificial Intelligence (AI) by leveraging insights, fostering partnerships, and providing policy recommendations.
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Objectives and Participating Nations
Some of the key objectives from the discussions included consolidating best practices from recent consultations and advancing regulatory and ethical frameworks for AI in African defence.
Other included reinforcing partnerships among governments and research organisations, while identifying Africa-specific needs to ensure AI development supports peace, security, and human rights across the continent.
The participating countries during the REAIM Summit included Burundi, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Morocco, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
The 3rd REAIM Summit will be held in the Republic of Spain, building on previous declarations and emphasising a human-centred approach and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
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