AI, Development, and Diplomacy:

India-Africa Cooperation in the Age of Technology

Abstract

This article examines the increasing intertwining of artificial intelligence (AI), development, and diplomacy in growing cooperation between India and Africa. It discusses the strategic and ethical implications of technological engagement in the Global South. As both India and African countries explore the transformative potential of AI, their collaboration reflects their shared commitment to leveraging digital innovation for inclusive development in line with the spirit of South-South cooperation. India’s approach—cantered on digital public goods, capacity building, and people-centric technology—has attracted interest from African nations as a prospective partner, offering an alternative to Western and Chinese models. Initiatives such as the Pan-African e-Network, e-Vidya Bharati, and the Co-WIN platform demonstrate India’s dedication to applying AI-based technologies in a human-cantered manner across healthcare, agriculture, and education. However, significant challenges remain, including issues of technological sovereignty, data colonialism, ethical governance, and geopolitical competition. African countries face similar dilemmas regarding control over data infrastructure and the deployment of AI, which often lacks robust legal and institutional regulation. This paper argues that, for AI to become a genuine enabler of development and diplomacy, both India and African nations must address these structural inequalities and co-create policies that promote fairness, accountability, and technological self-sufficiency. The AI partnership between India and African nations thus offers a vital lens through which the politics of emerging technologies in the developing world can be understood.