In an effort to unleash AI’s transformative developmental potential, this policy brief calls on policymakers and regulators in Africa to meaningfully address deep-rooted structural inequality through targeted economic policy. Without an enabling policy environment, AI deployment in African economies risks introducing labour disruption, unfair competition, tax base erosion, and intensified inequality.
However, this brief argues that, if African states can introduce regulations that simultaneously mitigate risks while enabling AI innovation and value creation, the continent may be able to harness digital transformation for just futures. By examining AI’s impact on, and reorganisation of, the foundations of production – including how data, capital and labour are mobilised – this brief critically assesses how AI adoption in low and middle-income economies must be shaped to benefit local communities. With a focus on equity, inclusive development and redistributive justice, Senior Researcher Sandra Makumbirofa makes targeted recommendations for just AI in Africa.
For AI and economic policy in Africa, the piece recommends multistakeholder, participatory oversight mechanisms; algorithmic audits and interpretability centres; digital platform taxation; data governance policies implemented in line with African Union frameworks; regionally harmonised AI standards; and targeted incentives to promote inclusive AI design, among many other evidence-based insights. It concludes that, to achieve structural transformation in Africa, AI strategies must first be rooted in justice.
