As the global discourse around artificial intelligence continues to evolve, so too must the voices shaping its ethical and governance frameworks. Tech for Good is proud to share that our Executive Director and Director of Technology, Philani Mdingi, is one of the contributors to Re-Visions of Now and Future III, the latest publication in the AI & Equality Community series.
The essay, titled “Procurement Governance and Ethical Technology Adoption for NGOs and Development Organisations”, reflects a critical lens on how nonprofits and development actors, especially across Africa, can responsibly integrate AI while safeguarding human rights. This contribution is part of a powerful collection of 19 essays written by global experts and practitioners who completed the AI & Equality: Human Rights Toolbox course in January 2025.
This third edition of Re-Visions of Now and Future stands at the intersection of technology, justice, and global equity. It interrogates how AI systems often entrench existing inequalities and explores alternative pathways grounded in human rights. With contributors spanning 48 countries, the publication champions perspectives that are too often overlooked in dominant tech narratives, especially those from the Global South.
Philani’s piece adds to this critical dialogue by focusing on procurement governance, a domain where many African CSOs are particularly vulnerable to adopting opaque or non-compliant technologies. His essay calls for development organisations to go beyond check-box compliance and adopt ethical tech governance rooted in transparency, equity, and contextual awareness.
Connecting the Dots: From Kigali to the Global Stage
This contribution builds on the momentum of the recent AI in Africa Forum held in Kigali, where African policymakers, technologists, and civic actors called for stronger representation in shaping the global AI ethics agenda. One key outcome of that forum was the recognition that Africa must not only consume AI policy but also co-create it.
Philani’s participation in Re-Visions of Now and Future III is part of Tech for Good’s broader mission to build capacity across African CSOs so they can meaningfully influence AI ethics discourse. It is about ensuring that organizations working with the most vulnerable populations, whether in healthcare, education, or economic justice, can procure, implement, and govern AI tools with a deep understanding of their ethical and legal obligations.
At Tech for Good, we see this as more than just a publication. It’s a marker of our growing influence and commitment to embedding ethical AI governance in Africa’s development ecosystem. Whether advising on responsible procurement, designing AI-readiness assessments, or aligning donor-funded digital projects with GDPR and African data protection laws, we are actively equipping partners with the knowledge and tools they need to lead responsibly in the digital age.
Download the full publication here: AI & Equality Toolbox – Re-Visions of Now and Future III
