Afcacia

A new report commissioned by Google and conducted by London-based research consultancy Public First predicts that artificial intelligence (AI) could increase Sub-Saharan Africa’s economy by over $30 billion in the next six years. This projection is part of a broader study examining the impact of digital technologies on the region’s economic growth.

The report, titled “The Digital Opportunity of Sub-Saharan Africa,” paints an optimistic picture of AI-driven development in Africa, as the continent warms up to the current global AI revolution.

During the launch of the report in Nairobi, Public First said it surveyed 7,598 online adults, 1,732 YouTube creators and 1,752 online business leaders. “Our research emphasises the strategic importance of connectivity, cloud computing and artificial intelligence ,” saidAmy Price, Director and Head of Technology Policy, Public First.

Commenting on the report, Google’s Regional Director for Government Relations and Public Policy Charles Murito noted that as AI adoption accelerates, the continent is becoming a fertile ground for AI-driven solutions tailored to local challenges. 

“We’re using AI to build better maps for Africa which help in boosting local businesses while helping in disaster management and emergencies under our Open Buildings Project,” Murito said. “We deploy AI to bolster food security, by monitoring locust migrations and therefore reducing crop destruction. We also use the AI to improve maternal health especially in ultrasound to monitor the development of the baby and predict which ailments  an unborn child may have. This helps in doctor decisioning.” 

In April, Google partnered with Kenyan health organization Jacaranda Health to develop and deploy multi-language large language models that small local teams across Africa can easily customize to their contexts and use cases.

This was after Jacaranda received a $1.4m grant from Google to deploy generative AI to  provide personalized support to new and expecting mothers across Kenya via SMS.

In 2023, the report notes that Google Search, Google play, Android, YouTube, Google Cloud and Google Advertising helped provide an estimated “$16 billion of economic activity for businesses, nonprofits, publishers, creators and developers across Sub-Saharan Africa.”

With growing smartphone penetration and lowering costs of mobile internet in Africa, one key way Google is delivering on its AI promise is through its Android operating system, which is used by over 84.9% of the continent. “Android must be up and running all the time. It is still open source, and runs on smartphones of every budget, from low end to high end. We invest heavily on affordability,” said Mariam Abdullahi, Director, Android Partnerships at Google EMEA.

Google hopes that its ongoing commitment to responsible AI development, through its research centres in Africa will play a pivotal role in this growth. “Our AI research centres in Accra and Nairobi, as well as the product development centre in Nairobi, continue to build products and services that tackle challenges across the continent and the world,” said Alex Okosi, Managing Director, Google Africa.

Countries that dominate in AI in the continent’s cardinal regions are South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, and Nigeria. However, Mauritius was the first country in Africa to publish a national AI strategy and has an attractive tech and investment ecosystem.

South Africa was instrumental in contributing to a pan-African AI for Africa Blueprint (pdf) that helps member-states in developing policies, strategies, and plans that ensure growth and prosperity within the context of digital revolution.

The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) headquartered in South Africa has is also playing a role, having drafted the “The African Union Artificial Intelligence Continental Strategy For Africa.”

100% Return on Investment in Digital Tech

The report suggests that even small increases in internet connectivity could have outsized economic effects. According to the study, a 1 percent increase in internet access could potentially boost GDP by 5.7%. During the event, Google promised to double down efforts to enhancing internet connectivity in Africa through the Equiano and Umoja sub-sea internet cables.

A noteworthy finding by the researchers is that “every $1 invested in digital technology in sub-Saharan Africa will create over $2 in wider economic value for the region by 2030.”

Google Search and Google Workspace, the study adds, has helped knowledge workers save over 100 million hours a week,
equivalent to producing an $11 billion improvement in productivity for the region’s economy.

The company’s search engine, purportedly led to a $7.8 billion increase in productivity after helping 6.5 million adults learn new digital skills in 2023.

The report also highlights the region’s entrepreneurial spirit, stating that 76% of online adults in Sub-Saharan Africa identify as entrepreneurs. Google’s initiatives, such as the Google for Startups Accelerator and the Black Founders Fund, aim to support these budding businesses.

The study comes two years after Google’s 2021 commitment to invest $1 billion in accelerating Africa’s digital economy. It offers policy recommendations, including prioritizing cloud-first policies, expanding digital infrastructure, and strengthening STEM education to support AI and broader digital transformation.

Okosi expressed optimism about the region’s digital future: “The opportunities for digital transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa are immense. We’re excited to be part of this journey, driving innovation and economic growth through our investments in connectivity, skills development, and entrepreneurship.”