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September 22, 2025
Africa’s AI market to hit $16.5B by 2030: report
The Mastercard report says AI in Africa is worth $4.5B this year and will grow 27% annually, but Big Tech and foreign governments still make the rules.The post Africa’s AI market to hit $16.5B by 2030: report appeared first on CoinGeek.
Africa's artificial intelligence (AI) market is poised for explosive growth, projected to reach a staggering $16.5 billion by 2030, according to a recent report by Mastercard. The study highlights the significant potential of AI to transform various sectors across the continent, but also underscores the challenges of navigating a landscape heavily influenced by foreign entities.
The report estimates the current value of the AI market in Africa at $4.5 billion. This figure is expected to surge, fueled by an impressive annual growth rate of 27%. This rapid expansion signifies a burgeoning interest and investment in AI technologies across diverse industries, including finance, healthcare, agriculture, and education. AI applications are being explored to address critical challenges specific to the African context, such as improving agricultural yields, enhancing access to healthcare in remote areas, and fostering financial inclusion through innovative fintech solutions.
However, the report also raises concerns about the control and governance of AI development in Africa. While the continent is experiencing rapid adoption and innovation, much of the underlying infrastructure and regulatory frameworks are still dictated by Big Tech companies and foreign governments. This dependence creates a risk that the benefits of AI may not be equitably distributed and that African priorities could be overlooked in the global AI landscape.
The report emphasizes the need for African nations to proactively shape their own AI strategies and policies. This includes investing in local talent development, fostering indigenous AI research and development, and establishing regulatory frameworks that promote responsible and ethical AI innovation while protecting local interests. Building domestic AI capabilities is crucial for ensuring that the technology serves the specific needs and aspirations of African communities, rather than simply replicating solutions developed elsewhere. Only through strategic investment and proactive policy-making can Africa truly harness the transformative power of AI and ensure its benefits are widely shared across the continent.
The report estimates the current value of the AI market in Africa at $4.5 billion. This figure is expected to surge, fueled by an impressive annual growth rate of 27%. This rapid expansion signifies a burgeoning interest and investment in AI technologies across diverse industries, including finance, healthcare, agriculture, and education. AI applications are being explored to address critical challenges specific to the African context, such as improving agricultural yields, enhancing access to healthcare in remote areas, and fostering financial inclusion through innovative fintech solutions.
However, the report also raises concerns about the control and governance of AI development in Africa. While the continent is experiencing rapid adoption and innovation, much of the underlying infrastructure and regulatory frameworks are still dictated by Big Tech companies and foreign governments. This dependence creates a risk that the benefits of AI may not be equitably distributed and that African priorities could be overlooked in the global AI landscape.
The report emphasizes the need for African nations to proactively shape their own AI strategies and policies. This includes investing in local talent development, fostering indigenous AI research and development, and establishing regulatory frameworks that promote responsible and ethical AI innovation while protecting local interests. Building domestic AI capabilities is crucial for ensuring that the technology serves the specific needs and aspirations of African communities, rather than simply replicating solutions developed elsewhere. Only through strategic investment and proactive policy-making can Africa truly harness the transformative power of AI and ensure its benefits are widely shared across the continent.
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Technology