Artificial intelligence could become one of the biggest drivers of economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa over the next decade, but only if the region overcomes chronic shortages of electricity, internet connectivity and digital skills, according to new research from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The IMF estimates that wider AI adoption could increase the region’s economic output by about 4% over the next 10 years if governments invest in the infrastructure needed to support the technology.
Without those reforms, however, the economic gains could be as little as 0.2%,a difference the Fund says would barely register.
The findings arrive as governments and technology companies around the world race to secure a share of the rapidly expanding AI economy through investments in data centres, cloud computing, power infrastructure and advanced digital networks.
For Africa, the challenge is becoming increasingly urgent.
