Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn’t just a trendy buzzword anymore; it’s starting to really change our world in some big ways. In Africa, a continent full of diversity and potential, AI is making waves in areas like farming, healthcare, governance, and economic growth. But just like any new tech, there are both benefits and challenges to consider. So, what was 2024 like for AI in Africa?
AI could lift global economic growth
The global economy is projected to unlock US$ 15.7 trillion of economic potential from Artificial intelligence by 2030, but only 10% of this will be felt in the global south. To this end, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Italian G7 Presidency, launched the AI Hub for Sustainable Development. This initiative aims to strengthen AI foundations in Africa, focusing on sectors like energy, agriculture, health, water, education, and infrastructure. Globally, the IMF predicts that AI could lift economic growth by 0.8%, which is significant considering the 2025 global growth rate was 3.3%. Closer home, Kenyan farmers are employing AI tools to combat crop pests and improve crop yields. Farmers are using Virtual Agronomist and PlantVillage to enhance crop yields. For instance, Sammy Selim achieved a record 7.3 tonnes of coffee using Virtual Agronomist, up from 2.3 tonnes.
AI is being used to reduce fraud risks and enhance financial transaction security ensuring safer cross-border transactions within the African Continental Free Trade Area. It is also being used to assess risk and boost credit thus improving financial outcomes of many Africans. Using AI models, Pula, a Nairobi-based microinsurance firm, provided over US$ 120 million in payouts to smallholder farmers across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. This approach increased farmers’ access to credit and boosted yields by 56% for the insured farmers.
AI in social impact
The impact of AI goes beyond just the economy. In healthcare, AI is becoming an invaluable tool for improving social well-being. From virtual therapists offering round-the-clock mental health support to AI diagnostic tools detecting 20% more breast cancer cases than human doctors, the potential to save lives is undeniable.
Artificial Intelligence is also being used to preserve human culture for posterity. AI technology has been used to restore historical artefacts and digitise ancient texts. For example, AI is being used to piece together the Dead Sea Scrolls; to scan, preserve, and decipher the Ein Gedi Scroll which had suffered such intense fire damage that researchers feared they would crumble on unfurling; and the Vesuvius Challenge to decode 1800 ancient scrolls that were carbonised on Mt. Vesuvius eruption. AI has been instrumental in the preservation of endangered languages by offering tools for transcription, translation, and educational platforms. For instance, Google’s PaLM 2 large language model and other AI-focused organisations have worked on AI models that support African languages to date, including Fon, Kikongo, Luo, Ga, Swati, Venda and Wolof.
AI won big in science in 2024
The year 2024 marked a milestone for ArtificiaI Intelligence in the scientific community, with AI-related research earning two Nobel Prizes. Geoffrey Hinton and John Hopfield won the Nobel Prize in Physics “for foundational discoveries and inventions that enable machine learning with artificial neural networks.” Demis Hassabis, John Jumper, and David Baker received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work on AlphaFold 2, which could predict the structure of virtually all the 200 million proteins that researchers had identified. The development of AlphaFold 3, which is being trained on all of life’s molecules, and other breakthroughs can have the potential to revolutionise drug discovery and our understanding of biology. It’s clear that AI isn’t just an evolving technology—it’s opening up new frontiers in science and healthcare.
AI is pushing the boundaries of what technology can achieve
Let’s not forget the creative potential of AI. Generative AI models are now capable of creating text, images, and even music, transforming creative industries and content generation. Advances in Natural Language Processing (NLP) are making human-AI interactions smoother and more intuitive. AI-powered chatbots like Darli, designed to help small farmers with agricultural advice in local languages, are already proving effective in making information more accessible in languages including Twi, Swahili, and Yoruba. As AI continues to integrate with robotics, we’re seeing machines that can perform increasingly complex tasks in unpredictable environments. The emergence of advanced AI agents demonstrated the potential for AI systems to independently learn, reason, and act in the real world, opening new frontiers in automation and decision-making.
AI in environmental impact
In 2024, Africa experienced significant advancements in AI aimed at addressing environmental challenges such as floods, wildfires and desertification. Google’s Africa research centre in Ghana developed the Flood Hub App, offering advanced flood warnings in 23 African countries, enhancing disaster preparedness. On the other hand, to preserve forested areas in the continent, Kenyan startup M-Situ utilised AI to detect threats like illegal logging and wildfires, reducing deforestation by 47% in pilot areas. Additionally, AI has been used to reclaim and restore lands at risk of desertification. The Regreening Africa app utilised AI to recommend land restoration techniques, doubling agricultural production and conserving over 250,000 hectares.
AI data governance
In June 2024, African ICT Ministers unanimously endorsed the Continental Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy and African Digital Transformation Strategy. The strategy promotes an inclusive approach to AI development in Africa and emphasises the need for robust governance frameworks. Approximately 36 out of 54 African countries have already established formal data protection regulations, laying the groundwork for comprehensive AI legislation and governance. AI governance is required too! Instances of AI-generated propaganda using individuals’ likenesses without consent, such as in Burkina Faso and Kenya, have raised ethical and political issues regarding AI misuse. Ghana also faced AI-generated disinformation which led to the formation of the Ghana Fact-checking Coalition, uniting major organisations to combat fake news during elections.
The African Union has adopted a comprehensive AI strategy aimed at maximising the benefits of AI while minimising its risks. There’s also been a focus on integrating AI into the judicial system, with UNESCO working with legal professionals in Eastern Africa to create AI guidelines for courts. At the same time, data protection authorities are playing a key role in overseeing AI regulation, ensuring individual rights are safeguarded. Kenya, for instance, has made headlines with its legal action against Meta Platforms, which has led to the formation of unions advocating for better working conditions and mental health support for Artificial Intelligence data workers across Africa.
As we look ahead, it’s clear that AI holds immense potential for Africa. But with this potential comes a responsibility to navigate the ethical, economic, and social challenges that arise. From transforming industries and improving livelihoods to preserving culture and enhancing governance, AI is set to shape Africa’s future in ways we are only beginning to understand.