The US Is Urged to Establish a Technology and Artificial Intelligence Partnership with Africa

In the face of artificial intelligence and cyber capabilities reshaping the global economy, it is stated that the US needs to deploy its soft power and diplomatic capacity to become a commercial and security partner on the African continent.

Technology and Infrastructure Gap in the Global Economy

As artificial intelligence and cyber capabilities transform the global economy, the gap in policy and legal frameworks is widening in countries that lack domestic AI infrastructure and technical expertise.

This situation is of critical importance on the African continent, where rapid digital growth meets newly emerging regulatory capacities.

Critical Mineral Reserves and Competition

The African continent is home to approximately 30 percent of the world's critical mineral reserves, which are vital for microchips, magnets, batteries, and artificial intelligence supply chains.

The United States' competitors have been building relationships in this geography for many years with the aim of shaping regional regulatory structures.

History of the GEL-ICS Fellowship Program

The US Department of State launched the Global Emerging Leaders in International Cybersecurity (GEL-ICS) fellowship program in 2023 through the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy.

This program, which focused on cybersecurity and digital policy, was terminated in early 2025 during the foreign assistance review process.

Call for Revitalizing the Fellowship Program

Troy Fitrell and Kathryn Fitrell argue that the State Department should revive this fellowship program under the Bureau of Emerging Threats.

It is requested that the scope of the program be expanded to include emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, satellite connectivity, quantum computing, and biotechnology.