Artificial intelligence: a catch-up opportunity or a new challenge for Africa?

The global race for artificial intelligence leaves no continent untouched. For Africa, the question takes a particular shape: can AI be a catch-up opportunity, or does it instead risk creating a new gap?

A catch-up opportunity

Without the legacy of heavy, old technological infrastructure, several African countries have already shown their ability to skip stages, as illustrated by the rise of mobile money. AI could follow a similar path in agriculture, health or education, where solutions adapted to local constraints could have an outsized impact.

A risk of new dependence

Conversely, AI relies on costly infrastructure (computing power, data centres) and on scarce skills, largely concentrated outside the continent. Without massive investment in training and digital infrastructure, Africa risks remaining dependent on platforms and technologies designed elsewhere, with limited control over its own data.

The outcome of this debate will depend largely on the investment and training choices made today, more than on the technology itself.