Unlocking the Potential of Artificial Intelligence in Africa: Experts Emphasize the Need for Policies and Infrastructure
Experts at a panel discussion during the 56th Session of the Economic Commission for Africa Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (COM) emphasized the immense potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in fostering prosperity in Africa. The experts agreed that with the right policies and infrastructure in place, AI could bring about significant development opportunities for the continent.
Ousman Bah, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy of Gambia, stressed the importance of having regulations in place to govern the use of AI while also highlighting the need for Africa to embrace the technology without waiting for all regulations to be in place. AI, a rapidly evolving technology that harnesses the intelligence of machines or software, is revolutionizing various aspects of society globally.
Research indicates that AI has the potential to contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, with $1.2 trillion of that amount potentially being generated in Africa. This represents a 5.6% increase in the continent’s GDP by 2030. Fayaz King, Deputy Executive Director at UNICEF, emphasized the importance of ensuring that all AI approaches, from development to deployment, are in the public interest.
Baratang Miya, Chief Executive of Girlhype Coders Academy, called for government regulation and incentives for stakeholders across the AI value chain, particularly focusing on Small and Medium Scale Enterprises to promote innovation and equitable access to AI technologies. Miya emphasized the need for ethical frameworks in AI development and deployment, including considerations for data privacy, security, transparency, and accountability.
Sandra Makumbirofa, Senior Economist at Research ICT Africa, highlighted AI’s transformative potential in boosting African economies through financial inclusion, job creation, and improved public service delivery. However, she noted that the majority of AI market value is concentrated in the United States and China, underscoring the importance of African countries actively participating in global discussions to ensure their interests are represented.
Claver Gatete, UNECA Executive Secretary, emphasized the significance of infrastructure development, such as internet connectivity, in harnessing the benefits of AI. He stressed the need for sharing AI technology among countries to avoid duplicating efforts and highlighted the importance of energy investment alongside IT infrastructure development.
Overall, the panel discussion underscored the critical role of AI in driving economic growth and development in Africa, emphasizing the need for proactive policies, infrastructure investment, and ethical considerations to maximize the benefits of this transformative technology.
