Responsible Artificial Intelligence in Sub-Saharan Africa: Landscape and General State of Play

The paper reviews AI adoption and investment in Africa. An artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem exists in Africa, with evidence of pockets of activity that could be prioritized, coordinated, and funded to result in an energized and productive AI infrastructure. The paper suggests a focus on four core areas: 1) innovation; 2) capacity building; 3) policy; and 4) infrastructure. It addresses critical issues that cut across these dimensions including political participation; scaling out; and inclusion, particularly as it relates to gender. Mauritius, positioned as 45th in the world, South Africa (59th), Seychelles (68th), Kenya (71st), and Rwanda (87th): these are Africa’s top five countries in the 2020 global Government AI Readiness Index.