April 17, 2025
By 2035, more young people from Africa will be entering the workforce each year than from the rest of the world’s countries combined. Such a demographic…
Your excellencies,
Africa stands at a defining moment. With the world’s youngest and fastest-growing population, we have an opportunity to leverage artificial intelligence for economic growth, job creation, and social progress. However, to fully realize this potential, we must address a critical issue: the inclusion and active support of Africa’s youth — particularly young women — in AI development, policy, and investment.
I am Rose Kimu from Kenya, a Mastercard Foundation scholar at Carnegie Mellon University Africa, or CMU-Africa, currently pursuing a master’s in IT. My journey — from an overcrowded public school where I was one of nearly 100 students sharing a single classroom, to conducting advanced AI research at a prestigious university — has given me a unique insight into both the privilege and systemic barriers facing many young Africans.
Many of my peers, despite their intelligence and ambition, lacked access to quality education and economic opportunities. Some were forced into early marriages or informal jobs or had to drop out due to financial constraints.
I was fortunate. Despite financial hardships, my parents made sacrifices to keep me in school, and I was able to attend Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, a leading tech institution in Kenya. There, I was introduced to AI and machine learning, which deepened my belief in AI’s potential to transform Africa.
In April 2024, I helped build MEDBOT, an AI-powered chatbot for diagnosing respiratory diseases, leveraging explainability techniques such as LIME to help medical practitioners reduce misdiagnosis rates. I also developed a robotic secretary assistant for schools using the NAO robot, with a focus on responsible AI, inclusivity, and data privacy. This project was among the top projects and got support from the Mozilla Foundation and JKUAT to introduce primary school girls to robotics and STEM careers.
At CMU-Africa, I have been committed to giving back by organizing initiatives that inspire young people, especially women, to pursue careers in tech and AI. Volunteering has taught me that making an impact doesn’t require perfection — just a willingness to share knowledge. Tech communities provide valuable learning, mentorship, and networking opportunities, particularly for underrepresented groups.
Over the past year, our initiatives have impacted over 1,000 people, including the International Women’s Day Kigali 2025 event, organized by Women in Tech in collaboration with Women Tech Makers Kigali and Google Developers Group Kigali, and DevFest 2024, promoting responsible AI. We also introduced AI to 120 primary school students through hands-on projects. These efforts earned the Women in Tech Club at CMU-Africa the 2025 Afretec Inclusion Award, securing funding for future initiatives
In my own STEM education, I have seen glaring gender imbalances, with only five women in a class of 30 for example. Across Africa, women face systemic biases in education and employment, making it harder to break into AI, and without their active participation, the technology risks reinforcing these inequalities.
The digital divide is another major obstacle. Growing up in Nairobi, I had reliable electricity and internet, but visiting my rural home showed me a different reality. It was just a few years ago that the community got access to electricity, and a broken transformer once left the entire area without power for weeks. This stark contrast made me wonder how children in such areas can compete in the AI revolution when they lack even basic digital access.
Additionally, Africa struggles with inadequate AI datasets due to privacy concerns and limited digitization, while high hardware costs and poor computing infrastructure slow innovation. Addressing these issues requires investment in digital infrastructure, inclusive policies to support women in tech, and efforts to develop diverse AI talent and locally relevant datasets.
There are six areas that leaders should be integrating into policy and practice across the continent:
“AI is the future, and Africa cannot afford to be left behind.”
AI has the power to develop the potential of young women across the African continent by enhancing efficiency, creating career opportunities, ensuring safety through accurate real-time information, and providing access to education and resources. It breaks barriers, making knowledge and opportunities more accessible for young women engaged in a wide range of activities, be they academic, entrepreneurial, creative or more.
At the same time, AI needs African youth — and it needs all of us. Diverse perspectives are essential to ensuring AI is ethical, unbiased, and truly innovative. My voice, creativity, and problem-solving skills help make AI more inclusive, ensuring it serves society equitably. By engaging with AI, I not only benefit from its advancements but also help shape its future, driving meaningful change in a rapidly evolving world.
AI is the future, and Africa cannot afford to be left behind. Just as mobile money revolutionized financial access across the continent — breaking barriers and boosting economies — AI has the power to transform industries, uplift communities, and drive inclusive growth.
Let us seize this opportunity to build AI that works for Africa, with Africa, and by Africa.
Thank you.
SOURCE: https://mastercardfdn.org/en/articles/opinion-africas-ai-future-hinges-on-youth-investment/
In a bold call to action, Misbawu Abdallah, President of Africa Youth in AI, has urged the government of Ghana to develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) models tailored to the country’s specific needs.
Speaking with Emmanuel Akomene Acheampong on Good Morning Taadi, a flagship morning show on Taadi FM, Abdallah emphasised the potential of AI to drive innovation, development, and economic growth in Ghana.
According to Abdallah, the development of AI models would enable Ghana to harness the transformative power of AI, enhancing productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness in various industries.
He highlighted the importance of creating tailored AI solutions to address specific challenges in Ghana’s sectors, such as education, healthcare, and agriculture.
“We believe that with the right investment and support, Ghana can become a hub for AI innovation in the region, driving economic growth and improving the lives of our people,” Abdallah said.
By working with stakeholders, the government can unlock the full potential of AI, promoting economic growth, job creation, and improved living standards for Ghanaians.
However, Abdallah also cautioned that AI’s benefits can only be fully realised if it is developed and used responsibly.
“It’s crucial that we ensure AI doesn’t fall into the wrong hands,” he emphasised.
“We need to establish robust frameworks to regulate AI development and deployment, safeguarding against potential misuse and protecting the public interest.”
The development of AI models would also build local expertise and capacity, positioning Ghana as a leader in AI innovation in the region.
As Ghana explores ways to leverage technology, Abdallah’s statement highlights the growing recognition of AI’s role in shaping the future of work and development in the country.
As the country embarks on this ambitious initiative, Abdallah’s words serve as a reminder that collaboration, innovation, and responsible development will be crucial in unlocking Ghana’s full potential in AI.
With a collective effort, Ghana can harness the power of AI to drive sustainable development and create a brighter future for its citizens.
By 2035, more young people from Africa will be entering the workforce each year than from the rest of the world’s countries combined. Such a demographic surge presents the opportunity to drive increased productivity and foster inclusive economic growth across the continent.
In particular, Africa’s vibrant, youthful workforce uniquely positions the continent to influence artificial intelligence (AI) development and governance. And as this booming industry continues to grow, young Africans should have a say in how it develops and the standards that govern its future.
This energy was showcased at a World Economic Forum C4IR Global AI Summit in Kigali, Rwanda on 3-4 April 2025. The event not only showcased Africa’s burgeoning role in AI, but also set the stage for deeper discussions at the upcoming 2025 International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Annual Meeting in Kigali this October. AI is a top concern for the international standards-setting body, which is working to establish guidance for organizations on how to develop trustworthy AI management systems.
With over 1,000 participants from more than 95 countries and over 100 AI enterprises represented, the C4IR Global AI Summit brought together heads of state, policymakers, industry leaders, investors, innovators and academics to discuss shaping Africa’s role in the future of AI development.
A key takeaway came from the opening message by the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame: “To lead on AI and fully leverage its benefits,” he said, “Africa must first prioritize digital infrastructure, build the continent’s workforce to meet the market demands and fast-track the continental integration.”
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And during one of the summit’s key panel sessions, AI Governance and Africa’s Positioning Within the Global Context, Paula Ingabire, Rwanda’s Minister of ICT and Innovation, shared insights into the country’s strategic reforms aimed at fostering a thriving technology ecosystem. She emphasized that Rwanda is actively implementing business-friendly reforms to position itself as the most attractive environment for investment and innovation in Africa.
Africa’s diverse perspectives are crucial to shaping global AI standards. In total, a quarter of ISO members from African countries are participating in this effort. This will strengthen the region’s position as an influencer of AI development on the global stage.
Alongside this, a $60 billion AI fund launched at the event by African countries and international partners will aim to mobilize resources to develop critical AI infrastructure in Africa, including compute power, talent development and energy. This will lay the groundwork for a sustainable and inclusive AI future in Africa.
Unlocking the full potential of AI requires collective action. From governments and industry to academia and civil society, a multi-stakeholder approach is essential to ensure that AI is developed responsibly, addresses socio-technical challenges and delivers real-world benefits for all.
Africa is already showing the way. The Smart Africa Alliance unites 40 countries to accelerate sustainable development through ICT. It is positioning the continent not just as a participant, but as a shaper of the global digital economy.
Another major milestone on this journey came at the Kigali summit, where the Government of Rwanda and the Gates Foundation agreed to launch Africa’s first AI scaling hub. Backed by $7.5 million over three years, the initiative, led by Rwanda’s Ministry of ICT and Innovation and hosted by C4IR Rwanda, will scale up AI solutions across healthcare, agriculture and education.
Other upcoming events around the world – including International AI Standards Day at AI for Good in Geneva in July 2025 and the International AI Standards Summit in Seoul this December – will continue these critical conversations. Such events aim to align AI innovation with global development goals, while also grounding progress in inclusivity, transparency and trust.
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As AI reshapes the global landscape, Africa has a unique opportunity to lead in shaping its governance and standards. By actively participating in the ISO’s work, Rwanda – through the Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) – is making Africa’s voice heard and ensuring its realities are reflected in fast-evolving global AI standards.
But it is Africa’s dynamic youth that will be at the forefront of this transformation. And their presence at high-level dialogues like the recent Kigali Summit demonstrates a readiness to innovate to solve AI challenges. This is Africa’s moment to design AI ecosystems that are inclusive and empowering.
The 2025 ISO Annual Meeting in Kigali this October offers another global platform to elevate African leadership on AI. It’s a chance to ensure that international standards reflect local priorities and that the path forward is shaped by those closest to the challenges and the opportunities of AI.
Africa is not waiting. It is leading.
SOURCE: https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/04/how-young-people-are-shaping-africas-ai-future/
By 2035, more young people from Africa will be entering the workforce each year than from the rest of the world’s countries combined. Such a demographic…
In a bold call to action, Misbawu Abdallah, President of Africa Youth in AI, has urged the government of Ghana to develop Artificial Intelligence…
This is an open letter to the African ecosystem: African governments, heads of state, ministers, philanthropy, private sector, innovators, educators, and young people, as…
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