NAIROBI, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Experts convened in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, on Thursday to discuss the accelerated adoption of smart cities in Africa.
Held from Wednesday to Friday, this year's Africa Smart Cities Investment Summit focused on the theme "Unleashing the AI City," bringing together senior African government officials and United Nations representatives to address the challenges of urbanization through innovative, inclusive and sustainable solutions.
Michal Mlynar, deputy executive director of the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-Habitat), said that African cities face significant challenges in adopting smart solutions, including gaps in regulatory frameworks, technology capacity and equitable access to technology.
"The UN-Habitat is addressing these gaps through initiatives like the global assessment of responsible AI in cities, which identifies opportunities and challenges in leveraging AI responsibly," Mlynar said.
He added that the UN-Habitat is currently developing guidelines to ensure smart city technologies prioritize inclusivity, sustainability and resilience, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Ugandan Minister of State for Information and Communication Technology and National Guidance Joyce Nabbosa Ssebugwawo said that there is an urgent need for collaboration and partnerships to support cities and local governments in leveraging technologies like AI.
John Tanui, principal secretary in Kenya's Ministry of Information, Communication and Digital Economy, said that Africa recognizes the transformative role of technology in enhancing the quality of life in cities.
Edlam Abera Yemeru, chief of the Knowledge and Innovation Branch at UN-Habitat, said that the adoption of common international guidelines is crucial to harmonize efforts and guide the responsible use of technology for sustainable urban development. ■
