Africa's AI Journey: Charting the Future

Published Date : 30/09/2025 

A Town Hall by the UN in partnership with the BBC’s Focus on Africa brought together ministers, policymakers, and young leaders to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on Africa’s future. 

A BBC Town Hall in partnership with the UN brought together ministers, policymakers, and young leaders to discuss one of the most pressing issues of our time: artificial intelligence (AI). The event, held at the UN General Assembly, focused on how Africa, projected to hold a quarter of the world’s population by 2050, can keep pace with AI’s rapid growth and its impact on the future of work.

Africa has the largest pool of talented human capital in the world today, according to Ahunna Eziakonwa, Director of UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa. She highlighted the Timbuktu initiative, which has supported 170 startups in 45 African countries across various sectors, including health tech and agritech.

Building skills and infrastructure is crucial for Africa’s AI development. Morocco’s Minister for Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, discussed national efforts to build AI capacity. “We have many programs about skilling, upskilling, and reskilling in the AI domain. We finance a lot of PhD students to do real research in AI and algorithmics,” she said. She also emphasized the importance of African language inclusion, noting that many African dialects are not processed by existing models.

Bosu Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, stressed the importance of infrastructure. “We’re training 3 million technical talents, 4% of that focused on AI and machine learning. But when we train without providing the enabling environment and absorptive capacity, these young people will not get the opportunity to participate,” he said. Nigeria is investing $2 billion in 90,000 kilometers of fiber optic network to support AI.

Citizens’ concerns about AI were also addressed. A recording of three individuals shared their thoughts: “AI is a tool and, as we all know, a tool can be good, but in the wrong hands it can be used for harm. My biggest worry is our leaders in Africa—are they ready to embrace this AI and use it for good rather than bad?” Another concern was the potential for job losses. However, Bosu Tijani pushed back against these fears, stating, “Africa shouldn’t be worried about job losses when it comes to AI. The workforce of the future will be based in Africa.”

Nthanda Maduwi, Founder and Managing Director of the Ntha Foundation, took a provocative view, suggesting that job losses in clerical roles could be beneficial. “Maybe AI can do that, and that’s a good thing,” he said.

Regulation of AI was a key topic. Maduwi cautioned against rushing to regulate what is not yet fully understood. However, Bosun Tijani and Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni argued that regulation is necessary, especially when using tools from outside the continent.

Financing was identified as a major hurdle. Maduwi noted that only 0.5% of all venture capital funds went to Black founders. “There’s a lot of money in the world, but it is not coming to Africa,” he said. Panelists agreed that African investors must lead the way, with Ahunna Eziakonwa emphasizing, “Unless African investors recognize this space and invest, outside investors will not think there is value there.”

Education reform was also highlighted. Maduwi spoke candidly about the need for an updated education system. “Our education system is still outdated. We’re creating public administrators, not innovators. Asia trained its generation to be creators. If hundreds of millions of young Africans created companies, then we can have a continent that is trading.”

Speakers ended the Town Hall by stressing that Africa’s challenges should be seen as opportunities to design solutions. They noted that entry points into artificial intelligence are becoming more accessible, encouraging young people to take part in shaping the field. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the main focus of the BBC Town Hall in partnership with the UN?

A: The main focus is on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on Africa’s future, including its potential benefits and risks.

Q: What is the Timbuktu initiative?

A: The Timbuktu initiative is a program to support Africa’s startup ecosystem, with 170 startups in 45 African countries across various sectors, including health tech and agritech.

Q: Why is infrastructure important for AI development in Africa?

A: Infrastructure, such as fiber optic networks, is crucial to provide the enabling environment and absorptive capacity for young people trained in AI and machine learning to participate effectively.

Q: What are some concerns about AI among African citizens?

A: Concerns include the potential for AI to be misused by leaders, the risk of job losses, and the need for ethical regulation of AI to respect African values and culture.

Q: What is the role of African investors in AI development?

A: African investors must recognize the value in AI and invest in the space to attract outside investors and support the growth of AI in Africa. 

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