Dr Alfred Bewindin Sawadogo: Will Africa Be an Actor or a Spectator in the Artificial Intelligence Revolution?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is today one of the most powerful drivers of economic, technological, and social transformation. Its rapid development is redefining production models, labor markets, and power relations between states. However, this technological revolution is unfolding in a profoundly uneven manner worldwide. While the United States, China, and Europe are investing heavily in AI infrastructure, research, and applications, the African continent still lags significantly in several key areas, including digital infrastructure, energy infrastructure, scientific output, and the training of qualified human capital. This article first briefly examines global AI dynamics before analyzing the situation of AI in Africa, which is currently the least prepared region in the world for the AI revolution. It then proposes several avenues likely to foster the emergence of an African AI ecosystem capable of transforming the continent into a full-fledged actor in the ongoing technological revolution.

Global Realities and Dynamics of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be defined as a set of computer techniques enabling machines to imitate certain human cognitive abilities such as learning, pattern recognition, data classification, prediction, or content generation. Unlike the first generation of AI, which emerged in 1956, modern AI mainly relies on machine learning algorithms and the exploitation of massive datasets to train models. In many ways, AI can be likened to an « artificial brain » capable of processing information at a speed and scale far beyond that of the human brain. For example, while an individual can read between 150 and 200 words per minute, an AI system can process one million words in the same period.

Artificial intelligence has gradually become a part of many aspects of daily life. It is now used in recommendation engines on digital platforms, voice assistants, chatbots, facial recognition, and automatic translation systems. According to a study by the Microsoft AI Economy Institute, approximately 16.3% of the global population had used at least one generative AI tool in 2025, representing about one in six people worldwide. Furthermore, over 800 million people reportedly use the ChatGPT service each week, illustrating the vast diffusion of AI.

The adoption of AI by companies is also growing rapidly. In OECD countries, the share of companies reporting the use of AI rose from 8.7% in 2023 to 14.2% in 2024, and over 20% in 2025. This increase demonstrates the growing integration of AI into production processes, logistics, marketing, research and development, and human resource management. The enthusiasm for AI is primarily driven by three factors: it can save time in performing cognitive tasks, it fosters the generation of new ideas, and its phenomenal capacity to analyze large datasets serves as a decision-making support tool.

Moreover, artificial intelligence is now considered a major lever of economic growth. According to a PwC study, widespread AI adoption could increase global GDP by approximately 15% by 2035. Simultaneously, the global AI market is expanding rapidly. Statista estimates indicate it was around $244 billion in 2025 and could exceed $800 billion by 2028. These projections explain the intensity of investments made by major tech companies. Global tech giants, including Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Meta, plan to invest $665 billion in AI-related infrastructure and technologies in 2026.

AI has also become a major strategic issue in international relations. Several major powers have adopted ambitious national strategies to strengthen their technological leadership in this domain. At the same time, international organizations are working to regulate these technologies to limit ethical and societal risks. Principles adopted by the OECD, as well as UNESCO’s recommendation on AI ethics, illustrate efforts to promote responsible, transparent AI that respects fundamental rights. Finally, AI raises significant questions about its impact on the labor market. The International Monetary Fund estimates that around 40% of jobs worldwide could be affected by automation and AI-enhanced tasks, with potentially more pronounced effects in advanced economies.

Artificial Intelligence Dynamics in Africa

While AI is spreading rapidly in many parts of the world, the situation in Africa is markedly more uneven. Overall, Africa remains the least prepared region for the AI revolution. The AI readiness index published by the IMF places North America at the top (0.74), followed by Europe (0.63), Asia and the Pacific (0.52), with Africa trailing at the bottom (0.34). Several structural factors explain Africa’s low AI readiness, including deficiencies in digital infrastructure, energy constraints, low scientific output, and a shortage of specialized skills.

One major obstacle concerns the availability of technological infrastructure necessary for AI development. AI systems require significant computing power, typically provided by data centers and cloud computing infrastructures. Yet, Africa accounts for only about 1% of the global data center capacity. This creates strong dependence on digital infrastructures located outside the continent, increasing operational costs and raising data sovereignty issues.

Digital connectivity is another major challenge. Internet access remains limited in many regions of Africa. According to the International Telecommunication Union, only about one in three Africans has access to the Internet. Moreover, less than 8% of households own a computer, according to African Union data. These limitations significantly reduce the possibilities for the diffusion and adoption of advanced digital technologies.

Energy constraints also represent a major impediment to developing Africa’s AI ecosystem. Approximately 600 million people on the continent still lack access to electricity. Even areas with electricity coverage experience frequent blackouts. Under these conditions, setting up sophisticated IT infrastructure is particularly challenging, especially in rural areas.

The shortage of human capital is another critical factor. Africa suffers from a significant lack of engineers and advanced technology specialists. The continent has a deficit of 4.3 million engineers according to the Foundation for Capacity Building in Africa. As a result, Africa’s scientific output in the field of AI remains very low. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for only about 0.77% of global AI research publications.

Despite these challenges, some positive signs can be observed. Several African countries have started developing national strategies to structure AI development. The African Union also published a continental AI strategy in July 2024. In November 2025, the African AI Council was established, an advisory body tasked with “formulating strategic and operational recommendations to guide Africa toward a future where AI is accessible to all, used responsibly, and genuinely beneficial to African populations.” Additionally, dozens of African countries already have AI national strategies and/or regulatory policies in place.

From the perspective of the overall African AI ecosystem, some states appear relatively better prepared for the AI revolution. According to IMF analyses, Seychelles, Mauritius, South Africa, Tunisia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Morocco are among the African countries most advanced in AI readiness.

Toward the Development of Africa’s AI Ecosystem

In the face of profound transformations induced by AI, Africa is now at a pivotal moment in its technological development. To avoid being relegated to a mere consumer of technologies designed elsewhere, the continent must implement an ambitious strategy to strengthen its innovation ecosystem.

The first priority concerns the development of digital infrastructure. The growth of AI requires massive investments in data centers, computing capacities, and high-speed connectivity networks. Improving electricity access is also a fundamental issue.

Human capital development represents a second essential lever. African universities must strengthen their programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Developing AI-specialized programs, as well as multiplying partnerships between African academic institutions and international research centers, could help reduce the skills deficit.

As emphasized by the Global Center for AI Governance, regional data policies also need to be harmonized. Aligning national laws with continental frameworks, such as the AU data policy framework, would facilitate secure cross-border data flows.

Moreover, mobilizing innovative financing is essential to support technological innovation. Developing venture capital, engaging the African diaspora, and public-private partnerships could help address the investment gap in emerging technologies. Since the resources of individual African countries are limited, pooling becomes imperative: regional economic communities should share skills and costly infrastructure, such as supercomputers. On the diplomatic level, the continent must actively support and even lead advocacy for the creation of a Global AI Fund, a proposal made by a panel of international experts to reduce the AI gap between developed and developing countries.

Finally, I am convinced that to make the most of AI, Africa must clearly define in advance the priority or strategic economic sectors around which it wants to focus AI development: agriculture, health, education, energy, and transport, for example. Targeting is generally a guarantee of efficiency. This, in my opinion, is the price to pay to move from being a spectator to an active participant in the AI revolution.

*Dr Alfred Bewindin Sawadogo is a researcher in AI governance and ethics, author, and speaker engaged in digital sovereignty issues in Africa. Chairman of the Board of the NGO Africa & Knowledge, he works on public policies related to AI and technological development on the continent.

Dr Alfred Bewindin Sawadogo : L’Afrique sera-t-elle actrice ou spectatrice de la révolution de l’intelligence artificielle ?