The SAMENA Telecommunications Council has called for stronger practical cooperation between the Arab region and Africa to translate growing interest in artificial intelligence into investment, implementation, stronger capabilities, and measurable economic value.
Speaking during the AI-Forward Summit 2026 in Tunisia, the Council, represented by Bocar BA, noted that artificial intelligence is moving rapidly from experimentation into businesses, public institutions, infrastructure, and everyday life. As this transition continues, the focus must increasingly shift toward what AI enables economies, institutions, businesses, and people to do better.
The Council highlighted the potential for closer cooperation across both regions by connecting capital with innovation, infrastructure with markets, technology with talent, and investment with implementation. These complementary strengths can support new enterprises, stronger services, productive investment, and partnerships that extend beyond individual conferences and initiatives.
Reflecting the Summit theme, “From Vision to Value,” the SAMENA Council CEO emphasized the need to move from technological ambition toward practical outcomes that reflect regional realities and aspirations.
For the Arab region and Africa, the Council emphasized the importance of developing the talent, infrastructure, investment environment, institutions, and market conditions required for meaningful participation in the emerging AI economy. As AI systems become more capable and autonomous, the Council also stressed the importance of trust, security, identity, accountability, dependable infrastructure, and effective governance. Technological progress should ultimately expand human capability, create opportunity, strengthen institutions, and contribute to wider prosperity.
The SAMENA Council believes that the Arab world and Africa have an opportunity to participate in this next phase not only as markets for AI technologies, but increasingly as investors, innovators, partners, and contributors to their development and application.
Source: SAMENA Council Press Release
