The world is missing out on mining something better than diamonds—Africa’s AI talent

COMMENTARY By Confidence Staveley

For a moment, step away from the debate on foundational models and which country is winning the artificial intelligence race. Set aside self-interest, focus on our collective good, and imagine a world where the next groundbreaking AI innovation comes from Lagos, Nairobi or Kigali. A world where the youngest and fastest-growing population on the planet, Africa’s 1.4 billion people, contribute to shaping the future of AI. This isn’t just a dream; it’s a possibility. But right now, the world is overlooking one of the greatest untapped opportunities in tech: Africa’s AI talent.

As AI continues to change how we live and work, the demand for AI talent is skyrocketing, with companies and governments scrambling to secure the brightest minds. Yet, while the global AI race heats up, one region remains largely untapped, Africa. Africa is home to the youngest population in the world, with a median age of just 19. By 2050, its population is expected to double to 2.5 billion, representing a massive and dynamic talent pool. The continent is also experiencing a tech revolution, with over 650 tech hubs sprouting up in cities like Lagos, Nairobi and Cape Town. These hubs are fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and a growing interest in AI.

But here’s the challenge, despite this potential, Africa contributes less than 1% of global AI research output.

The numbers tell a compelling story. Africa’s youth are digital natives, eager to embrace technology and solve pressing challenges. With increasing internet penetration and smartphone adoption, the continent is primed for an AI revolution. With the right investment and support, Africa could meaningfully contribute to AI innovation, addressing not only local challenges but also contributing to global solutions.

You might ask, if Africa’s AI talent is so strong, why does it remain hidden from the world stage? One reason is the pervasive myth that the continent lacks basic infrastructure. Yes, internet connectivity and funding constraints exist. But to paint Africa with a broad brush ignores the remarkable strides in expanding broadband access. Another challenge is visibility and investment. Many international investors default to familiar markets and universities when seeking AI opportunities. Meanwhile, African-based projects often face higher barriers to entry for global funding rounds or academic partnerships. This situation creates a self-perpetuating cycle: the fewer high-profile success stories that reach global media, the less interest there is even though true innovation continues to happen on the ground.

These challenges are not insurmountable. In fact, they represent opportunities for collaboration and investment. By addressing these barriers, the global community can help unlock a wave of innovation that benefits everyone.

The first step is to invest in AI-focused education and research initiatives, both in traditional and unconventional channels of education. Programs already working to build AI skills across the continent should be scaled to create a pipeline of world-class AI talent. Importantly, these efforts must include a strong focus on gender inclusion, ensuring women are equally represented in this growing field and not left behind.

Another solution is to build partnerships between African tech hubs and global organizations, creating opportunities for African AI talent to collaborate on international projects. Such collaborations could amplify Africa’s contributions to the global AI ecosystem while fostering knowledge exchange.

Third, bridging the funding gap should be a priority. Increased investment from governments, corporations, and venture capitalists could fuel AI startups and research projects. There needs to be greater access to equity capital for young entrepreneurs to launch, grow and scale their businesses in Africa. In the Global North, for example, the largest venture capital firms manage more capital than most African banks. Unlike banks, however, these firms don’t provide loans, they invest in promising companies by offering funding, mentorship and global networking opportunities in exchange for equity. A similar model, tailored to Africa’s unique context, possibly with some regulation to avoid predatory investing, could unlock unprecedented growth.

Finally, expanding access to high-speed internet and cloud computing resources would enable more Africans to learn the required skills and participate in the global AI ecosystem. The next AI breakthrough could come from a small lab in Lagos or a startup in Nairobi. The question is: will we be ready to embrace it?

Confidence Staveley is the founder and executive director of Cybersafe Foundation.