Africa’s Major Economies Adopt AI Strategies Amid Dependency Concerns
Africa’s four largest high-tech economies are actively formulating artificial intelligence strategies that reflect a growing awareness of their heavy reliance on major U.S. tech firms like Google, Microsoft, NVIDIA, and Meta. This strategic shift aims to grant these nations greater control over the terms of engagement with these foreign entities, signaling a desire for enhanced data sovereignty and local governance.
Draft AI Policies Highlight Security Risks
Nigeria, Egypt, and Kenya have unveiled draft AI policies that express concerns about dependency on American technology companies, citing potential threats to national security and sovereignty beginning in January 2025. South Africa reached similar conclusions in a draft document but withdrew it in April due to inaccuracies generated by the AI tool that assisted in its creation.
Demand for Local Expertise and Improved Terms
Policy experts consulting with African governments indicate a collective push for data sovereignty and local expertise. Most countries on the continent currently rely on U.S. companies for essential computing power and funding. “The situation calls for stronger regulations surrounding sensitive data, improved public procurement policies, and investment in local skills and infrastructure,” notes Rachel Adams, founder of the Global Center for AI Governance.
Significant Imbalance in Data Infrastructure
The disparity in data center capacity is stark. The World Economic Forum highlights that while Africans constitute 18% of the global population, the continent accounts for less than 1% of the world’s data center capacity. According to McKinsey, the total computing capacity of Africa’s leading five markets is projected to fall short of France’s by 2024, accentuating the need for rapid development in this area.
Initiatives to Build AI Infrastructure on the Continent
While some African companies are beginning to establish their AI infrastructures, the technology underpinning these initiatives remains predominantly Western. For instance, Cassava, co-founded by Zimbabwean entrepreneur Strive Masiyiwa, partnered with NVIDIA to launch Africa’s inaugural AI factory in South Africa. Meanwhile, iXAfrica, a data center provider in East Africa, is collaborating with Oracle to bring Kenya’s first public cloud region online. Nevertheless, Microsoft’s ambitious $1 billion data center project with G42 in Kenya has hit roadblocks, as the government has not granted the company’s request for computing resources.
Concerns Over Western Influence in AI Development
The growing presence of Western companies raises critical questions about the shaping of AI’s future in Africa. For instance, Anthropic’s AI collaboration with Rwanda promises to enhance local skills for public service delivery. However, critics worry that such partnerships might create dependencies that diminish local agency. “It’s essential to consider who really benefits from these collaborations,” notes Ayantola Alayange, a researcher at the Global Center for AI Governance.
Data Localization and Collaboration Among Nations
In response to concerns over data security, several African nations, including Ghana, Nigeria, and Zambia, have blocked data-sharing agreements that would allow the transfer of citizen data outside their borders. “Governments seem to be favoring fragmented data architectures—where processing occurs offshore but storage remains domestic—due to the lack of local infrastructure,” explains Adeola Bojwoye, Nigeria’s director at the Digital Impact Alliance.
Continental Initiatives to Foster Digital Sovereignty
To address these challenges, a continental initiative has been set in motion. The African Union has announced a comprehensive AI strategy set for July 2024, and in November 2025, the newly established African AI Council aims to facilitate resource sharing among member states. With the $60 billion Africa AI Fund unveiled during the Kigali Summit, efforts now focus on bolstering local infrastructure, talent cultivation, and the support of startups across the continent.
Competition for AI Investments and Collaborative Models
Despite these advancements, African nations are still vying for foreign investments to establish themselves as AI hubs, making collaboration challenging. Notably, projects like Nigeria’s Awari do not openly disclose the infrastructure they rely on, complicating the assessment of dependency on foreign technology. Experts suggest a regional approach to building AI capabilities, as no single nation possesses the scale to develop independently, though such cooperation is hindered by existing geopolitical tensions.
