As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform economies globally, African experts caution that without substantial improvements in infrastructure and affordability, the continent risks being left behind.
The warning came during a panel discussion titled “Infrastructure: Barriers to Adoption and Building Blocks for the Future” during the inaugural Global AI Summit on Africa, in Kigali.
Veronica M. Nduva, Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC), highlighted Africa’s unique position to benefit from AI-driven innovation.
“Africa is on the verge of a technological revolution, but our ambitions are limited by insufficient digital infrastructure,” she said.
Despite Africa’s wealth of natural resources, fertile lands, and a young, dynamic population, many areas still face critical infrastructure deficits.
Nduva pointed to electricity as a major bottleneck, noting that nearly 600 million people on the continent lack stable power, rising to over 70 percent in rural regions. Without reliable electricity, maintaining data centers, computing power, and cloud services essential for AI becomes nearly impossible.
To address these challenges, experts called for collaboration between governments and the private sector to invest in sustainable energy solutions, including solar and nuclear power, capable of supporting AI’s demanding requirements.
Internet access is another key hurdle. Africa’s average internet penetration stands at roughly 43 percent, well below the global average of 66 percent. Data costs remain disproportionately high, with 1GB of mobile data costing up to 5 percent of a typical monthly income in some countries far above the global affordability standard of 2 percent or less.
Nduva warned that without affordable broadband access, AI will remain a tool for the privileged few rather than a driver of inclusive growth.
Device affordability is also a limiting factor. High-quality smartphones can exceed half of the average monthly income, while personal computers remain out of reach for most, making it difficult for young innovators, students, and entrepreneurs to fully participate in AI development.
Africa’s participation in AI research is limited, accounting for less than two percent of global AI-related publications. Nduva emphasized that this is not due to a lack of talent, but rather a shortage of access to computational resources, mentorship, and funding.
To bridge this gap, she advocated for AI Centers of Excellence, collaborative hubs where universities, governments, and private institutions can train talent, build local capacity, and drive innovation.
The EAC has already secured $40 million from development partners to strengthen digital infrastructure, enhance cross-border data frameworks, and support capacity building and innovation. Nduva noted that a regional law on data governance is also in development, aiming to formalize and facilitate data flows across member states.
Ambassador Clever Gatete, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, underscored the importance of linking countries and creating a continent-wide approach to infrastructure and AI development.
Local tech innovators are already contributing solutions. Stephen Moore Kwesi, founder of Khaya AI, a platform for translating African languages, highlighted the importance of indigenous language accessibility.
The tool currently supports 11 languages and plans to add Kiswahili and Kinyarwanda, enabling farmers, healthcare providers, and students to communicate effectively in their native tongues. Khaya AI’s API is now being made available to local innovators in Rwanda, promoting inclusivity and cultural representation.
Bocar Ba, CEO of the SAMENA Telecommunications Council, emphasized that AI cannot thrive without robust telecommunications infrastructure, including reliable data centers and energy supply.
“No AI can function without infrastructure, and that requires funding. Governments, private sector players, and investors must collaborate to create an enabling environment that fosters sustainable, profitable, and predictable AI investments,” he said, noting that a multi-stakeholder approachis essential.
Ba stressed that governments should lead by promoting AI literacy, stimulating demand, and mitigating investment risks, while private sector players bring capital, technical expertise, and operational capacity. “The future of AI in Africa depends on all stakeholders working together,” he concluded.
