Africa’s AI race: Kenya and Nigeria lead, while Ghana struggles to catch up

As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly reshapes global economies, African nations are racing to develop national AI strategies that harness the potential of this transformative technology. Kenya is on the verge of unveiling its national AI strategy, while Nigeria has already made strides by releasing its own framework. Meanwhile, Ghana is facing significant challenges in putting together its national AI strategy, with consultations still ongoing, led by the Ministry of Communication and Digitalization. This divergent pace of progress shows the complexities and opportunities for AI adoption across the continent, offering key lessons in how African nations can effectively integrate AI into their socio-economic development plans.

Nigeria, Africa's largest economy, recently released its national AI strategy, positioning itself as a pioneer in leveraging AI for economic growth and innovation. The strategy outlines a clear roadmap for integrating AI into key sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, finance, and governance. Nigeria's approach emphasizes collaboration between government, academia, and the private sector, recognizing that AI’s success depends on a cohesive ecosystem that encourages innovation while addressing regulatory challenges.

One of the key strengths of Nigeria’s strategy is its focus on capacity building and education. By investing in AI training programs and encouraging the development of AI-focused research institutions, Nigeria aims to cultivate a workforce capable of sustaining its digital transformation. This focus on human capital development will be crucial in ensuring that the country’s AI aspirations translate into long-term, sustainable growth.

Nigeria's Minister for Communication and Innovation, Digital Economy, Tijani Bosun 

Nigeria has also recognized the importance of inclusivity, ensuring that its AI strategy addresses the digital divide that exists between urban and rural populations. This focus on inclusivity is key to ensuring that AI-driven innovations benefit all Nigerians, not just those in technologically advanced regions.

Kenya, known for its leadership in mobile money and digital innovation, is soon to release its national AI strategy. The country has already established itself as a hub for technological advancement in East Africa, and its forthcoming AI strategy is expected to build on this reputation. Given Kenya’s track record of innovation, particularly in fintech and digital services, its AI strategy will likely focus on applying AI to further enhance the efficiency and reach of its thriving tech ecosystem.

Cabinet Secretary for Kenya's Ministry of Information, Communications, and Digital Economy, Dr. Margaret Nyambura Ndung’u

Kenya’s strategy is expected to align AI with its broader digital agenda, especially the government's Digital Economy Blueprint. This alignment will enable Kenya to tap into AI’s potential to boost productivity in key sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and public services. The forthcoming AI strategy is also expected to prioritize data governance, addressing concerns about data privacy and security that come with the adoption of AI technologies.

What will be particularly interesting to watch in Kenya’s approach is how it leverages AI to further its role as a digital innovation leader in Africa. With a burgeoning tech startup ecosystem, Kenya is well-positioned to attract international investments and partnerships in AI development. However, its ability to scale AI-driven solutions beyond pilot projects will be a critical factor in its success.

While Nigeria and Kenya are making significant strides in AI strategy development, Ghana is struggling to catch up. Consultations for Ghana’s national AI strategy are still ongoing, led by the Ministry of Communication and Digitalization, but the process has been slow. The lack of a clear roadmap reflects broader challenges within the country’s digital ecosystem, including limited infrastructure, insufficient policy coordination, and gaps in AI expertise.

Minister for Communication and Digitalisation, Mrs. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful

One of the main reasons for Ghana’s slow progress is the fragmented nature of stakeholder engagement. While the Ministry of Communication and Digitalization has spearheaded the initiative, the involvement of numerous stakeholders—including academic institutions, tech startups, and private enterprises—has made it difficult to establish a unified vision for AI in the country. Without strong leadership and a clear framework for collaboration, Ghana risks falling behind its regional counterparts.

Ghana’s delay in developing an AI strategy also highlights deeper issues related to capacity building. The country has yet to invest heavily in AI education and research, leaving a gap in the talent pipeline needed to drive AI innovation. Without a skilled workforce, any national AI strategy will face significant hurdles in implementation.

Another challenge Ghana faces is balancing the promise of AI with concerns about job displacement and ethical considerations. As with many African countries, a significant portion of Ghana’s economy is labor-intensive, and there are fears that AI could exacerbate unemployment if not managed properly. The ongoing consultations will need to address these concerns to ensure that AI adoption promotes inclusive growth.

Despite these challenges, there is still hope for Ghana to emerge as a player in the AI space. The ongoing consultations provide an opportunity for the country to learn from the experiences of Nigeria and Kenya, tailoring its AI strategy to its unique socio-economic context. By fostering greater collaboration between stakeholders and prioritizing capacity building, Ghana can build a solid foundation for AI-driven innovation.

Moreover, Ghana’s government must take proactive steps to ensure that its AI strategy aligns with its broader digital transformation agenda. This includes investing in the necessary infrastructure, such as high-speed internet and data centers, that will enable AI technologies to thrive. Ghana can also look to regional partnerships and international collaborations to accelerate its AI development efforts, tapping into expertise and resources from more advanced AI ecosystems.

The development of national AI strategies in Africa is progressing at different paces, with Nigeria and Kenya leading the charge while Ghana lags behind. However, each country’s approach offers valuable insights into how African nations can leverage AI for economic growth and social progress. The race to develop AI strategies is not just about technological adoption; it is about creating ecosystems that promote innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable development.

By:  Nana Appiah Acquaye