Is Africa falling behind? Urgent AI skills gap threatens continent’s future

DDM News

Experts in emerging technologies have urged urgent upskilling and reskilling in artificial intelligence (AI) across Africa’s education sector.

They warn that as the AI revolution gains momentum worldwide, Africa’s universities must prepare students to harness its transformative power.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) highlights this call as crucial for the continent’s future.

At the recent Deep Tech Summit held in Benguerir, Morocco, technology leaders stressed the importance of integrating AI into academic curricula and policy frameworks.

The event showcased Africa’s growing interest in deep tech innovation and its potential socio-economic impact.

Khalid Badou, Chief of Staff at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), said AI’s arrival is inevitable.

He emphasized the need for African institutions to adopt AI technologies responsibly, creating ethical guidelines and policies that fit local realities.

UM6P is the first African university to implement OpenAI’s ChatGPT, pioneering AI use in education despite initial fears about its disruptive potential.

Badou noted that the entire world is exploring AI’s capabilities simultaneously, giving Africa a unique chance to leapfrog traditional developmental stages.

“Everyone is discovering what AI can do and how it will affect industries, universities, and daily life,” he said.

The Deep Tech Summit’s theme, “Redefining Progress: How AI is Transforming Innovation in Deep Tech,” focused on collaborative experimentation with AI across sectors like health, fintech, and agriculture.

Experts believe AI could be as transformative for Africa as major infrastructure projects, especially for food security and healthcare delivery.

However, Africa’s digital infrastructure remains a major hurdle.

According to 2024 data from GSMA, only 30% of Africans used mobile internet in 2023, and mobile broadband networks cover just 59% of the continent.

This coverage gap, the largest worldwide, limits AI’s reach and adoption.

Jalal Charaf, Chief Digital and AI Officer at UM6P, stressed that improving internet access is critical.

“If governments and organizations provide more connectivity, people can better test and use AI tools,” he explained.

Charaf also highlighted the need for “intellectual infrastructure” African leaders must understand AI deeply to lead effective national strategies.

At the continental level, the African Union (AU) is working to unify national AI policies and protect data sovereignty.

The AU’s AI strategy promotes coordinated approaches among member states to manage AI’s complex challenges.

Lavina Ramkissoon, AU Ambassador for AI, Ethics, and Digital Transformation, said political commitment at the national level remains insufficient.

“Africa must come together and define its AI vision, as seen in the US, China, and the EU,” she urged.

In July 2024, the AU outlined plans to establish a regional fund to support responsible AI development.

This fund would pool regional, international, private, and philanthropic resources.

Recently, 52 African nations signed a declaration at the Global Summit on Artificial Intelligence for Africa in Kigali, Rwanda.

They announced the creation of a $60 billion AI fund.

However, governance and implementation details have not yet been released.

As AI continues to evolve rapidly, African education systems face both a challenge and an opportunity.

Developing AI skills and infrastructure could unlock significant economic growth and help the continent address critical issues in health, agriculture, and governance.

DDM will continue to monitor and report on Africa’s AI developments, emphasizing the importance of education and policy reforms in shaping the continent’s technological future.

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