To embrace GenAI, Africa must build skills and get the Data fundamentals right.
Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) has arrived, and looks like its here to “stay”. Think about that for a second!
As the rest of the world begins to unlock the transformative potential of this technology, Africa must also make deliberate moves to ensure that its benefits reach the continent. To fully leverage GenAI, we must focus on building both engineering and soft skills while prioritizing solid data management, governance, and infrastructure support. Doing this will allow us as the African societies to harness GenAI for innovation, development, and economic growth.
What is GenAI? GenAI refers to AI systems that generate new data and content based on patterns learned from vast amounts of input data. These systems can create everything from text and images to music and even code, opening new possibilities in areas like content creation, healthcare, finance, and education. In countries like the United States and China, GenAI is already proving its worth in industries ranging from journalism to pharmaceuticals. In Africa, however, the potential of GenAI remains largely untapped, partly due to limited digital infrastructure, a skills gap, and the insufficient focus on data governance.
Yet, it is clear that GenAI is not a passing fad like the internet was referred to 24 years ago. For Africa to benefit from this technological leap, we must build the necessary technical expertise and data ecosystem, laying a solid foundation for its adoption. The future of Africa’s digital economy hinges on getting this right. THAT’S JUST IT!
At the heart of any successful GenAI ecosystem is technical capacity, see the case of Northwestern Medicine, Duos Technologies, the City of Amarillo in Texas and Moderna. Africa’s first hurdle is its skills gap in AI and data science, which needs to be closed. However, the problem extends beyond just engineering talent. For GenAI to flourish, there must be a focus on developing a range of soft skills as well critical thinking, creativity, and ethical decision-making.
For example, Nigeria’s tech ecosystem, particularly in Lagos, has become a hub for software engineering and digital entrepreneurship. We have in the past witnessed companies like Andela playing a vital role in training thousands of software engineers and developers to work with emerging technologies. However, AI systems are only as good as the data they use, meaning that in addition to engineering expertise, professionals must understand the social and ethical dimensions of data collection, management, and deployment.
Beyond technical training, cultivating soft skills like creativity is essential, especially in sectors like the creative industries. Africa’s burgeoning film and music industries, such as Nollywood, Amapiano, Afrobeats and many others stand to benefit immensely from GenAI tools that can automate parts of the creative process, allowing artists to focus on storytelling and innovation. Moreover, sectors like healthcare require soft skills such as empathy and ethical considerations to ensure that AI-powered solutions address community needs responsibly.
BUT.. how to get the Data Fundamentals Right? While skills development is key, another critical factor in successfully integrating GenAI into Africa’s economy is data. GenAI models depend on vast amounts of high-quality data to function properly. Many African nations are yet to get effective data governance right, data collection remains inconsistent, and access to reliable data to make informed decisions remains a challenge. Without solid data governance practices, GenAI systems will be unable to perform effectively, worsening the bias in AI, the inaccurate or incomplete outputs.
Kenya provides an example of how African countries can tackle this challenge. Through the Ministry of ICT, the government has developed a National Data Center and laid the groundwork for data governance frameworks that enable the secure collection, storage, and sharing of data. This initiative has already started to drive digital transformation in sectors like agriculture and public services. For instance, in agriculture, AI-based platforms like Twiga Foods are using data to optimize food supply chains, reducing waste and improving food security.
However, data governance goes beyond mere collection. Policymakers must ensure that data is used responsibly, respecting privacy and minimizing biases. This requires comprehensive legal frameworks, an area in which Africa is beginning to see progress. The African Union’s Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection (Malabo Convention) provides a regional framework for data governance, though its implementation remains patchy across member states. By fully adopting and enforcing such frameworks, African countries can create a more reliable data ecosystem that supports AI innovations.
In terms of infrastructure, progress is also being made. Rwanda’s investment in its digital economy, supported by robust government policies like the Smart Africa Alliance, is a case in point. The country is building data centers, improving broadband connectivity, and focusing on digital literacy all necessary for supporting GenAI systems.
Africa’s growing network of innovation hubs and private sector initiatives are crucial players in the development of GenAI technologies. Institutions like Innovation Village in Uganda ,CcHub in Nigeria and many more across the continent are incubating AI startups and supporting data-driven projects. These hubs are essential for nurturing the next generation of African tech entrepreneurs, providing them with the resources to experiment with GenAI tools and solutions. Take South Africa’s Deep Learning Indaba, a community of researchers working to strengthen machine learning and AI capacity across the continent. Their work not only focuses on research but also on how AI can address Africa’s unique challenges, from healthcare to climate change. These efforts demonstrate the importance of locally-led initiatives in advancing AI adoption.
As Africa steps into the GenAI era, it is vital that we prioritize inclusivity. Ensuring gender equality in the digital economy is a major goal. According to a UNESCO report, women account for only 30% of the world’s tech workforce, a disparity that is even more pronounced in Africa. Initiatives like Pollicy’s Future of Work Program, which empowers women media practitioners in countries like Uganda and Kenya, are excellent examples of how Africa can make the AI revolution more inclusive. Women and other marginalized groups must be involved in both the design and use of GenAI systems to ensure that these technologies do not reinforce existing biases but instead promote social equity.
GenAI presents an unprecedented opportunity for Africa to transform its economy, enhance service delivery, and improve the livelihoods of its people. However, for this potential to be realized, we must invest in developing the right mix of technical and soft skills, and ensure that our data management and governance systems are strong. Countries like Kenya, Rwanda, and Nigeria are already laying the foundation, but the road ahead will require a sustained commitment from governments, private sector players, and civil society. By getting the fundamentals right, Africa can not only keep pace with the rest of the world but also lead in the development of GenAI solutions that address its unique challenges.
