Gathering in Lagos, discussions focus on AI aspirations versus Africa's technology infrastructure deficit
The African continent is witnessing a significant shift towards the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in various sectors, with the aim of addressing unique challenges and driving growth. This transformation was the focus of the African Digital Economy and Inclusion Conference held recently in Lagos.
The conference, which brought together policymakers, business leaders, academics, and other stakeholders, explored ways to combine private innovation with public policy. One of the key themes was AI and the African Digital Economy: Leaving No One Behind.
Africa's contribution to the development of AI can benefit the world at large, according to Paulin Melatagia, a lecturer and researcher at the University of Yaoundé I in Cameroon. The continent's home-grown innovations, tailored to local needs, are already making a significant impact.
For instance, AI can help with "smart watering" for crops in Africa, measuring humidity, temperature, and light in a field and triggering the watering system. Sah Analytics, a pioneer of AI in Côte d'Ivoire, has developed an application to help Ivorian authorities combat inflation. In healthcare, DoctorIA algorithms in Rwanda facilitate medical diagnoses in the absence of specialists.
AI is also playing a crucial role in agriculture, particularly for predicting locust invasions and floods, using satellite images. Fit For Purpose, based in Belgium, has created a subsidiary in Africa, Neotex.ai, to help Kenya identify cows using facial recognition technology.
However, challenges remain. Professor Seydina Ndiaye, an AI specialist in Africa, highlighted a lack of government investment as a significant challenge. Geopolitical and regional fragmentation also pose challenges to unified AI policy implementation and cooperation.
Despite these challenges, efforts to develop AI in Africa are centred around building infrastructure, developing home-grown talent, creating supportive policies, and fostering inclusive innovation ecosystems. The African Union has initiated a Continental Strategy on AI for 2030, and in February, forty states joined forces to create the African AI Council.
The African digital economy is estimated at €155 billion and expected to reach almost €700 by 2050. With the right investments and policies, AI could play a pivotal role in this growth. The conference also discussed using AI and big data for economic growth, digital identity systems for cross-border trade, and gender and youth inclusion in the digital workforce.
In Kenya, a Kenyan teacher is using laptop batteries to power motorbikes, demonstrating the innovative spirit that is driving Africa's digital transformation. The continent's AI development is propelled by substantial market growth, increasing investments, home-grown innovations tailored to local needs, and building ethical governance frameworks.
However, geopolitical fragmentation and uneven resource distribution challenge the vision for a cohesive continental AI ecosystem. African-led initiatives, backed by both local governments and global tech partners, are key contributors driving inclusive and context-aware AI advancement on the continent.
[1] African Union. (2021). AI Strategy for Africa 2030. Retrieved from https://au.int/en/documents/20210301/ai-strategy-africa-2030 [2] The AI Hub. (2021). AI in Africa: A Review of the Current Landscape and Future Opportunities. Retrieved from https://theaihub.com/en/content/ai-africa-review-current-landscape-and-future-opportunities [3] The AI Hub. (2020). AI in Africa: Towards a Responsible and Inclusive Future. Retrieved from https://theaihub.com/en/content/ai-africa-towards-responsible-and-inclusive-future [4] African Union. (2020). Africa Declaration on Responsible AI. Retrieved from https://au.int/en/documents/20200228/africa-declaration-responsible-ai
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