Transformation: Cassava Technologies, South Africa, senior vice-president and CEO Ziaad Suleman, acting CIO in the Western Cape Government Egsaan
Samaai and Naspers Limited South Africa CEO Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa discussing Africa’s position on AI adaptation. Photo: Cassava Technologies
African governments generate vast quantities of citizen data, from health records to tax filings, land registries and school enrolments. Much of it leaves the continent to be processed, modelled and monetised on foreign infrastructure.
The insight comes back at a premium, while the economic value remains elsewhere — and AI is accelerating this.
However, this is shifting and quickly. Gartner projects that by as early as 2027, 35% of countries will be locked into region-specific AI platforms built on proprietary data, up from 5% today.
