Africa urged to prepare public servants for AI

ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR has urged African governments to invest in skilled, ethical and technology-ready public servants, saying artificial intelligence (AI) should support, not replace, human judgement and professionalism in service delivery.

First Vice-President Othman Masoud Othman said institutions depend on competent, disciplined and committed public servants who uphold integrity and serve citizens responsibly.

He made the remarks while opening the 11th Annual Conference of the African Public Sector Human Resource Managers Network (APS-HRMnet) 2026 on behalf of President Hussein Ali Mwinyi.

The four-day meeting has brought together public service human resource professionals, managers and ministers from 21 African countries to discuss human resource reforms and AI in service delivery.

Under the theme, “Enabling Strategic Human Resource Transformation in the Public Service through Artificial Intelligence,” the conference examines technology’s impact on workplaces and government operations.

Mr Othman said AI could improve productivity, simplify administration and support evidence-based decisions, but its use must be guided by accountability, transparency and ethical standards.

“Artificial intelligence should be a tool that enables public servants to perform their duties more efficiently, and never replace their thinking, wisdom, professionalism and responsibility in decision-making,” he said.

He urged governments to establish clear AI policies to ensure compliance with the law, protection of citizens’ rights, information security and transparency.

He said transformation required investment in employees’ capacity, not merely the introduction of new technologies. He urged human resource managers to move beyond recruitment, salary and leave administration and become strategic partners in institutional development.

They should anticipate labour market demands, identify emerging skills and assess AI’s implications for government employment, he said.

He described Africa’s youthful population as a development opportunity, citing young people’s talent, creativity and readiness to embrace technology.

Citing national statistics, he said people aged between 15 and 35 account for 34.5 per cent of Tanzania’s population and about 40 per cent of the public service workforce.

He called for inclusive digital programmes that reach women, persons with disabilities and public servants in rural areas.

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He said both Union governments recognised technology’s role in improving institutional performance, but digital reforms must be accompanied by good governance, integrity, transparency and accountability.

He urged delegates to exchange experiences and develop practical resolutions to strengthen public administration and advance the African Union’s Agenda 2063. He welcomed delegates to Zanzibar.

Before opening the conference, Mr Othman toured exhibition booths displaying public service initiatives and launched an online system through which government employees can access life insurance services.

Minister of State in the President’s Office for Public Service Management and Good Governance, Ridhwan Kikwete, said the conferences about 1,200 participants would assess technological changes and how public institutions could keep pace.

AI could improve government operations and services, he said. Acting Minister of State for Constitution, Legal Affairs, Good Governance and Public Service, Suleiman Masoud Makame, said Zanzibar continued to strengthen public service systems for efficient, quality services.