Africa's AI Divide: New Report Warns of Growing Tech Gap

The "AI Divide" is widening between global powers and the African continent, threatening to leave millions behind in the next scientific revolution ^[1]. While artificial intelligence could add $1 trillion to Africa’s economy by 2035, the region currently lacks the data centers and reliable power needed to train advanced models ^[1][9]. Currently, only 32 countries globally have the infrastructure to build high-level AI, with almost none located in Africa ^[1]. Strategic investments in "Small AI"—affordable tools designed for mobile devices—could help bridge this gap ^[10]. These applications are already transforming precision agriculture and medical diagnostics in several regions ^[6][10]. To support local innovation, the African Union recently endorsed a continental strategy focused on ethical, Africa-centric development to solve urgent challenges in food security and public health ^[2][3].