Too often, discussions about Africa treat the continent as if it were a single country. Home to 54 nations with diverse populations, different development levels and specific challenges, the complexity of African societies defies generalisation. However, if there is one quality that could be said to define this vast continent, it is its vast potential.
According to the African Union, more than 400 million people in the continent are aged between 15 and 35 years old. In addition to this huge pool of energy and talent, Africa’s combined natural resources are considerable, collectively worth more than $6 trillion according to data from the African Development Bank. Key to unlocking this potential – and making life better for millions of people – is making sure artificial intelligence and other game-changing 21st-century technologies are driving change in Africa.
The potential benefits for various aspects of African life are multiple. Using AI to predict rainfall, monitor crops or detect pests would be transformative in a continent where the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation says more than 60 per cent of people are employed in agri-food systems. Access to health care can be expanded with the help of technology, which could be used to run tests for common illnesses remotely or to make initial assessments with low-cost phones and other devices. AI could also support Africa’s already growing fintech sector, cut corruption by improving digital governance and create millions of jobs.
To reach these goals, partnerships are required. To truly take advantage of what AI has to offer, obstacles have to be overcome. Having enough reliable and affordable electricity is one such concern, as is the need for robust digital infrastructure, well-funded startups and a workforce well-versed in the Stem subjects. Without them, AI and its benefits risk being the preserve of well-connected, more affluent urban communities.
On Saturday, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, participated in the Group of 20 leaders’ summit in Johannesburg during which he announced that the UAE would invest $1 billion to expand AI infrastructure and AI-enabled services across Africa. According to UAE Minister of State Saeed Al Hajeri, this AI for Development initiative will provide access to AI computing power, technical expertise and global partnerships.
Partnership is the key concept here. Importing generic AI solutions is not the best way to deliver projects in education, energy production or climate adaptation. What works best is when governments, universities and local tech companies are empowered to develop solutions jointly. In this sense, the UAE can use its high-tech know-how and experience to act as a digital bridge between the Gulf and African economies that have much to gain by harnessing the power of technology.
The funding involved in the UAE announcement is considerable and should be channelled accurately. Rising to the challenge of domestic development and regulating data and AI are vital. One report from 2022 found that there was “a lack of public participation in and oversight over the development of AI regulatory frameworks in countries in Africa”. The UAE has laid down a strong marker of its intent to engage and work with a part of the world that not only has much to gain from AI but that could take it further into the future.
