Artificial Intelligence: A Groundbreaking Development in Recent Human History
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a groundbreaking development in recent human history. Reshaping the entire technology sector, AI has had a significant impact on Africa, addressing the continent’s social, environmental, and economic challenges while shaping its future. Thanks to this technology, Africa can unlock its existing potential in a faster and more sustainable manner.
AI’s Role in Key Sectors
AI provides solutions to crucial issues on the continent, such as predicting epidemics and floods, diagnosing diseases through medical imaging, and detecting plant or skin diseases from images. At the same time, it enhances performance in education and employment sectors by offering innovative solutions. Furthermore, this technology creates an opportunity to identify and utilize local talents within the continent in the most effective way.
Challenges in AI Development
However, many African countries lack reliable infrastructure. Due to this shortcoming, AI technology has not yet developed to the desired levels. In recent years, Africa has been increasing its investments in local talent and infrastructure. To fully harness AI’s potential, these investments need to be prioritized further.
The Impact of Global Political Dynamics on Africa’s AI Policy in 2025
In 2025, Africa’s AI policies will be influenced by both internal and external factors.
- The “America First” policy of the Trump administration in the United States is expected to negatively impact China’s infrastructure projects in the region. However, this could push Africa to seek local solutions, potentially leading to greater advancements.
- The contrasting regulatory approaches of Europe and the United States will influence Africa’s technology policies in different ways:
- Europe prioritizes market fairness, consumer protection, and data privacy through strict regulations.
- The U.S. follows a free-market approach.
- These differences will create varying strategies across African nations.
The loosening of disinformation controls in the West could pose a risk to Africa, where regulatory mechanisms are weak and reliable sources of information are scarce. To counter this, governments may impose stricter regulations on technology companies to align AI development with national objectives.
Regional Cooperation and AI Strategies in Africa
Africa can overcome many challenges through regional cooperation and strong relations with neighboring countries. Investments made in one country can encourage others to take similar steps in AI development.
The African Union’s Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2024) emphasizes:
- Ethical principles
- Reliability
- Inclusivity
to ensure AI development benefits all nations equally. However, rapid advancements in AI may create a digital divide within the continent, a risk that must be carefully managed.
AI Strategies of African Nations
Several African countries are developing their own AI strategies:
- Kenya aims to become a regional AI innovation hub through its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2025-2030). The country seeks to:
- Enhance capacity
- Ensure ethical AI governance
- Improve infrastructure
- Integrate AI into key sectors such as healthcare, education, and public services.
- Tanzania has taken significant steps in the health sector by implementing the Artificial Intelligence Policy Framework (2022) and establishing a Digital Health Center.
- Other countries, including South Africa, Egypt, and Mauritius, have developed their own national AI strategies.
As AI continues to evolve, Africa must focus on bridging the digital divide while ensuring that AI remains a tool for sustainable development, inclusivity, and progress across the continent.
Growing AI Adoption in Africa
In 2024, 27% of Kenyans were using ChatGPT, and this number is expected to rise even further this year. Currently, Africa holds only 2.5% of global AI capital, but even this limited use has had positive effects on the continent.
If AI adoption continues at this pace until 2030, Africa is projected to create 500,000 new jobs annually.
AI’s Impact on Key Sectors
Beyond education and healthcare, AI is also being utilized in agriculture and financial services across Africa.
- In agriculture, AI is improving crop productivity.
- In financial services, AI is simplifying payments and transactions.
These are two of the most visible positive changes driven by AI.
The Future of AI in Africa
If Africa continues on this trajectory in 2025, AI will become even more integrated into everyday life, bringing significant benefits to the continent. However, to sustain this progress, greater investment in infrastructure development is essential.