The State of AI in Africa: A Landscape Study

Africa is uniquely positioned to benefit from the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence, but realizing its full potential requires addressing complex socio-economic challenges. In the report, AI in Africa: A Landscape Study, the Global Center on AI Governance (GCG), through the African Observatory on Responsible AI, takes a closer look at the continent’s AI ecosystem. This study outlines the significant opportunities AI holds for Africa’s growth, identifying immense opportunities for AI to drive economic growth, improve public services, and create new socio-economic opportunities. The study also highlights challenges that require thoughtful, context-driven solutions. It identifies key drivers and actionable recommendations to ensure AI serves Africa’s development goals while safeguarding its social, economic, and cultural landscapes.

For AI to truly benefit Africa, it must be built for Africa. The continent’s dynamic, youthful, and increasingly tech-savvy population presents an opportunity to develop AI solutions that are not just imported but designed with African realities in mind. Achieving this requires robust investments in local talent, infrastructure, and policies that ensure AI serves Africa’s needs rather than reinforcing global inequalities.

One of the major takeaways from the study is that AI’s increasing role in key sectors—such as health, education, finance, agriculture, and public services—demands a collaborative approach to governance. AI’s transformative potential can only be fully realized if the governance frameworks around it are well-developed, regionally relevant, and uphold ethical standards. Yet, Africa faces persistent challenges such as infrastructure deficits, limited regulatory frameworks, and a shortage of skilled professionals.

The power of open-source AI lies in its ability to democratize innovation, especially in Africa, where local startups can leverage it to build solutions that address pressing societal challenges. However, to fully harness its potential, it is crucial to tackle challenges related to data governance, privacy, and responsible AI deployment.

Download the report here.

What to expect from the report:

• AI Economy, Infrastructure, and Skills: There is growing interest in AI investments across Africa. However, barriers such as inadequate infrastructure and limited technical expertise remain.
• Open-Source AI: Open-source technologies are accelerating AI innovation but require robust frameworks to address ethical concerns.
• Policy and Regulatory Frameworks: Though still in early stages, AI policy development is gaining momentum across the continent. The African Union’s AI strategy and other continental instruments offer a foundation for governance.
• Multi-Stakeholder Governance and Financing: Successful AI innovation in Africa hinges on collaborative governance models, including public-private partnerships and regulatory sandboxes.
• Strategic Recommendations: The report outlines actionable steps for governments, businesses, and civil society to build an ethical, inclusive AI ecosystem in Africa.

The African Observatory on Responsible AI plays an important role in these efforts, working closely with stakeholders across the continent to strengthen regional AI governance, promote research, and ensure AI systems serve Africa’s development goals.

Webinar 1: Strengthening Africa’s AI Ecosystem through Open-Source Innovation and Policy Alignment.

Our first webinar, held on May 14th, 2025 explored the role of open-source AI in Africa’s technological growth, how open-source AI can address infrastructure and gave provided policy recommendations for sustainable AI development in Africa.