Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant concept for Africa – it is a present-day economic and social force. As one of the defining technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), AI holds immense promise for transforming key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, manufacturing, and tourism. But realising this promise demands more than innovation – it demands action on digital infrastructure, policy, and investment.
Africa has already begun to adopt AI in meaningful ways – from precision agriculture that boosts yields to AI-driven diagnostics that enhance healthcare delivery. These innovations offer a glimpse into how AI can address some of the continent’s most persistent challenges, from food insecurity to access to quality medical care and education. With the right policies in place, including a critical lens in adherence to the principle for the responsible use of AI, the innovative adoption of AI will be a powerful enabler of inclusive growth, resilience and competitiveness.
Yet the journey is far from straightforward. The continent continues to face significant barriers, including limited broadband access, insufficient reliable, affordable and sustainable clean energy, and a wide digital divide and usage gap. As of 2023, according to the latest GSMA State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2024 data, only 30% of the population in Africa were using mobile internet, while 59% remained covered by a mobile broadband network but were not using it – highlighting the region’s position as having both the largest usage gap and a notable coverage gap of 15%, the widest globally. Moreover, 4G coverage is approaching 3G levels of coverage whereas 4G and 5G connections had only reached 31% and 1% respectively as at the end of 2023 with a forecast to reach 50% and 17% by 2030 This stark disparity is a significant barrier for the adoption of AI solutions in Africa and underscores the need to address affordability, digital literacy, and infrastructure challenges, which are all essential to unlocking AI’s potential across Africa.
There are also deeper structural inequalities that shape access to digital technologies. Cost, geography, gender and education all determine who can participate in – and benefit from – the AI revolution. Without targeted policies to bridge these divides, we risk entrenching existing inequities and missing out on AI’s full potential to drive equitable progress.
Governments across Africa must take the lead in creating enabling environments for AI to thrive. This includes promoting private sector investments in infrastructure, partnerships in digital literacy to stimulate usage of digital services and the upskilling of the workforce, incentivising innovation, and developing regulatory frameworks that both mitigate risks and promote responsible use of AI. The African Union’s Continental AI Strategy provides a clear path forward, with a strong focus on infrastructure, governance, and inclusive development.
Recent developments, such as the launch of Africa’s first AI-ready data centre in South Africa, signal growing momentum – but we need many more such investments across the continent. South Africa’s presidency of the G20 in 2025 offers a unique opportunity to champion Africa’s digital development on the global stage and to mobilise investment and partnerships that can accelerate progress.
Africa’s AI future is not only possible – it is within reach. But it will take decisive leadership, meaningful collaboration between public and private sectors, and a shared commitment to putting people at the centre of technological advancement.
Angela Wamola is the Head of Sub-Saharan Africa at the GSMA.
