Kigali. Tanzania has been recognised as a trailblazer in the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within governance, judicial, and healthcare systems, setting a benchmark for digital transformation across Africa.
The nation’s visionary approach to AI deployment was spotlighted at the Global AI Summit on Africa 2025, where a high-level delegation underscored Tanzania’s commitment to harnessing frontier technologies for enhanced service delivery.
Representing the United Republic of Tanzania, minister of Education, Science and Technology, Prof Adolf Mkenda, and minister for Communication and Information Technology, Jerry Silaa, articulated the country’s strategic AI agenda on behalf of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
The summit, convened in Kigali by the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Rwanda (C4IR) in partnership with the World Economic Forum, provided a platform for over 1,000 policymakers, industry leaders, and AI pioneers from 95 nations to chart Africa’s digital future.
At the Ministerial Roundtable organised by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI), Mr Silaa showcased Tanzania’s AI-driven reforms in the judiciary.
“AI is already revolutionising Tanzania’s legal landscape. We have deployed a Swahili Large Language Model (LLM) designed to augment legal advisory services, mitigate human error, and optimise judicial efficiency,” he said.
Reinforcing this stance, Dr Nkundwe Moses Mwasaga, director general of the ICT Commission (ICTC), detailed how AI-powered systems are enhancing governance frameworks, reducing bureaucratic inertia, and fostering digital inclusion.
AI-Powered healthcare innovations
In a groundbreaking leap for Tanzania’s medical sector, Mr Silaa revealed the imminent deployment of AI-driven neuro-navigation systems at Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI).
“Tanzania’s neurosurgical specialists are set to leverage AI and robotic-assisted procedures to perform intricate brain surgeries with unparalleled precision. This technological advancement will significantly elevate the standard of medical care,” he noted.
The summit, themed AI and Africa’s Demographic Dividend: Reimagining Economic Opportunities for Africa’s Workforce, underscored AI’s potential to bridge socioeconomic divides.
Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, called on African nations to strengthen their digital infrastructure.
“Let’s return to the drawing board and lay a robust foundation for AI connectivity. We must ensure AI serves as a force for equity and shared prosperity,” he urged.
Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Doreen Bogdan-Martin, talked about the crucial AI’s role in Africa’s economic transformation.
“The window of opportunity is opening for Africa to capitalise on its demographic dividend by 2050. ITU stands ready to support the continent’s digital leap forward,” she remarked.
Tanzania, a regional AI leader
Tanzania’s accelerated AI adoption aligns with its broader agenda of leveraging cutting-edge technologies to drive public sector innovation and economic resilience.
From judiciary automation to AI-enhanced medical interventions, the country is establishing itself as a regional AI powerhouse, unlocking transformative opportunities across multiple sectors.
Other distinguished attendees at the inaugural summit included the President of Togo, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, and the Prime Cabinet Secretary of Kenya, Musalia Mudavadi.
