Artificial intelligence is entering African universities, but most institutions are not yet fully prepared to manage it, as six in ten lack formal AI governance frameworks, a new report has shown.
The study, titled Harnessing AI for Higher Education in Africa, was convened by the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) and led by The Education Collaborative at Ashesi University in partnership with Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P) and AfriLabs. It surveyed 3,875 respondents across 47 higher education institutions (HEIs) and gathered insights from 199 education technology stakeholders.
According to the findings, AI adoption across African HEIs remains in the low to moderate range. While universities are experimenting with AI tools, most usage is limited to AI-enabled learning management systems (LMS), which account for 62 percent of reported use. Public HEIs show slightly higher adoption at 69 percent, compared to 57 percent among private institutions.
However, when it comes to readiness for expansion, private HEIs expressed slightly more confidence, with 48 percent saying they feel prepared to scale AI adoption, compared to 46 percent of public institutions.
One of the most significant findings is the governance gap. Six in ten HEIs reported that they do not have a comprehensive AI policy in place. A similar proportion also lack formal ethical guidelines for responsible AI use. Public HEIs are marginally ahead, with 44 percent reporting AI policies and 47 percent having ethical frameworks, while private institutions stand at around 36 percent on both measures.
The report notes that the absence of structured policies slows systematic adoption and weakens institutional confidence.
Beyond universities, the broader African edtech ecosystem also shows imbalance. Out of 414 active post-secondary edtech startups identified, only 45 focus specifically on HEIs, representing 10.9 percent of the market. Fewer than 2 percent build AI-powered solutions tailored for higher education. Meanwhile, 64 percent of startups concentrate on K–12 education. Additionally, 41 percent of edtech companies cite funding and revenue generation as their main obstacle to growth.
The study also examined national leadership in AI policy. Rwanda’s 2023 National Artificial Intelligence Policy outlines a roadmap for inclusive growth and emphasizes university education and research. Kenya’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025–2030 places HEIs at the center of national implementation, calling for expanded AI curricula and research partnerships.
At the institutional level, UM6P in Morocco stands out as a structured example of AI integration. Founded in 2013 and inaugurated in 2017 on a 55-hectare campus, UM6P is currently ranked the highest university in Morocco and North Africa and fourth in Africa in the 2026 Times Higher Education rankings.
UM6P established a Digital Ecosystem Office (DEO) led by a Chief Digital and AI Officer to coordinate all digital transformation efforts. The university introduced an AI Course Builder that reduced course design time from eight to 12 weeks down to two to three weeks. It also developed an AI-Orchestrated Video Pedagogy Pipeline that cut production time from weeks to days, reduced costs by up to 70 percent, and produced more than 30 videos in two months.
In 2025, UM6P became the first African HEI to deploy ChatGPT Edu in partnership with OpenAI, providing more than 2,000 students and faculty access within a secure environment. The university also launched immersive virtual classrooms capable of displaying up to 98 students life-size during synchronous sessions.
Patrick Awuah, Founder and President of Ashesi University, said the moment presents “an unprecedented opportunity” for African institutions. He stated that AI should be used “to widen access, strengthen learning, and empower a generation not just to adapt to the future but to shape it.”
Stavros N. Yiannouka, Chief Executive Officer of WISE, said the report aims to provide “a timely and accurate picture of what is happening on the ground, highlight the opportunities and challenges, and provide actionable recommendations.”
Rose Dodd, Executive Director of The Education Collaborative, added, “We must remind ourselves, and the world, that our capacity for innovation must not only be measured by our resources, but by what we do with what we have.”
The report recommends that HEIs develop comprehensive AI policies, invest in faculty and student capacity building, and anchor AI tools in established pedagogical frameworks rather than technical novelty. It also calls on policymakers to strengthen infrastructure and create incentives that support responsible and inclusive AI adoption across the continent.
