Events
3rd Dialogue-Seminar on Elections and Democracy in Africa – Digitalizing Democracy: Youth-Driven AI Strategies in a Changing World
From
By invitation
The African Union’s Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (AU PAPS) and the Policy Center for the New South (PCNS) are jointly organizing the 3rd Dialogue-Seminar on Elections and Democracy in Africa.
Titled “Digitalizing Democracy: Youth-Driven AI Strategies in a Changing World”, this third edition will explore the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies and how they are fundamentally reshaping the democratic landscape in Africa. As the continent experiences a demographic surge of "digital natives" the intersection of youth participation and AI offers both immense opportunities for transparency and significant risks regarding disinformation particularly the rapid spread of fake news on social media. These threats are increasingly difficult to detect, as AI can generate highly realistic content. Many fear that such tools could be exploited by powerful groups (state actors or private interests) to monitor voters, spread false information, and influence electoral outcomes.
Following the success of the previous two editions, this 3rd Dialogue-Seminar aims to bridge the gap between technological innovation and electoral integrity, placing Africa’s youth at the center of the continent's digital democratic evolution. By giving young people the right skills, we can turn AI into a practical tool that informs citizens, amplifies their voices, and protects the integrity of their votes.
AGENDA
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 | |
08:45 – 09:15 | Welcome Coffee |
09:15 – 09:25 | Introductory Remarks Karim El Aynaoui, Executive President, Policy Center for the New South |
09:25 – 09:35 | Keynote Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security |
09:35 – 09:40 | Group Photo |
09:40 – 10:55 | Session I Defending the Truth: Deepfakes, Misinformation & Social Cohesion Analyzing the impact of generative AI and deepfakes on public trust, hate speech, and continental security.
Moderator Patience Chiradza, Director, Governance and Conflict Prevention, African Union Commission
Speakers Mohamed Benabid, Professor of Practice, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University Imad Hajjaji, Program Officer - Knowledge Management, Policy Center for the New South Karen Ogle, Independent Consultant in Elections Ahmed Saleh, Member, AU Advisory Group on AI - Peace, Security and Governance |
10:55 – 11:25 | Coffee Break |
11:25 – 12:40 | Session II AI for Civic Engagement: Youth-Led Innovation & Advocacy Showcasing how youth use AI for policy advocacy, political literacy, and holding governments accountable daily.
Moderator Ahmed Ouhnini, Communication Program Officer, Policy Center for the New South
Speakers Khawla Benyahya, Independent Governance and Elections Expert Dêlidji Eric Degila, University Professor, Geneva Graduate Institute Emmaculate Liaga, Researcher, Institute for Security Studies Imru AL Qays Talha Jebril, Co-Managing Partner, A&K Advisors Tendai Zengeni, Advisor, Zimbabwe National Innovation & Acceleration Centre |
12:40 – 13:45 | Lunch Break |
13:45 – 15:00 | Session III Integrity & Governance: AI in the Electoral Cycle Ensuring algorithmic transparency, data privacy, and protecting the "will of the people" from digital interference.
Moderator Najib Bounahai, Full Professor, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University
Speakers Amir Abdul Reda, Assistant Professor, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University Abdelghani Berdi, Head of Division - Tech, Digital Space & Human Rights, National Human Rights Council Robert Gerenge, Regional Elections Advisor, UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa Gwendolyn S. Myers, Executive Director, Messengers of Peace - Liberia |
15:00 – 16:15 | Session IV Architecting the Future: Ethical AI Frameworks & The Rabat Action Plan Towards drafting a continental strategy that protects democratic norms without stifling African tech growth.
Moderator Neema Chusi, Head, Peace and Security Council Secretariat, African Union
Speakers William Awinador-Kanyirige, Special Advisor to the African Union PAPS Commissioner Raja Bensaoud, Jurist & Co-founder, Digital Act Think Tank Jalal Charaf, Chief Digital & AI Officer, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University Abdessalam Jaldi, Senior International Relations Specialist, at the Policy Center for the New South Tem Fuh Mbuh, Program Manager, Transformative Peace in Africa, Open Society Foundations |
16:15 – 16:45 | Coffee Break |
16:45 – 17:00 | The Rabat Action Plan: Recommendations of the 3rd Dialogue-Seminar Reading out the Rabat Action Plan recommendations gathered during the 3rd edition of Dialogue-Seminar for Empowering Youth-Driven AI Strategies to Safeguard Civic Space and Inclusive Governance. Patience Chiradza, Director, Governance and Conflict Prevention, African Union Commission |
17:00 – 17:15 | Closing Remarks Patience Chiradza, Director, Governance and Conflict Prevention, African Union Commission Nouzha Chekrouni, Senior Fellow, Policy Center for the New South |
