Africa goes all-in on AI

Hello 🤖

Last week’s Global AI Summit on Africa in Kigali, Rwanda, culminated in the launch of the Africa Declaration on Artificial Intelligence – a landmark commitment to foster a sustainable innovation ecosystem. This provides for the establishment of a USD 60 billion Africa AI Fund, as well as the creation of an Africa AI Council dedicated to shaping AI strategies that address continental development priorities. However, these institutions will need to cut through the buzz around AI’s potential to “disrupt” and “transform” industries, and recognise that there are no technological hacks for poor governance and entrenched structural inequality. In a context where some 600 million Africans lack reliable access to electricity, investments in AI will need to consider local needs when developing power solutions for energy-hungry data centres and AI facilities. Digital public infrastructure will also need to be upgraded to ensure that citizens can harness the potential of new technologies. To this end, South Africa’s G20 Presidency has formed an AI Task Force, which is working to ensure the AI equity gap does not become the new digital divide. Ultimately, AI will need to be rolled out in a way which reflects African needs and values, while being subject to oversight from domestic regulators, particularly on data protection, digital rights and ethical considerations. 

Yours in measured enthusiasm,

AP editorial team

📈197.71

The Central Bank of Nigeria sold USD 197.71 million of forex in a bid to boost liquidity and prevent a deterioration of the naira, following the global market turbulence stemming from the Trump administration’s sweeping imposition of tariffs.  

🇱🇸 Tariffying times

After being hit with the highest reciprocal tariff in the world by the US – at 50% – Lesotho is likely wishing it had remained a country “nobody has ever heard of”. With the tariff calculations based on the division of the US’s trade deficit with a foreign country by that country’s total exports to the US, Lesotho – with its large trade imbalance – was hit the hardest. The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) had been pivotal in building up Lesotho’s nascent clothing manufacturing industry, enabling the landlocked nation to become the continent’s second-largest apparel exporter, with around 75% of all exports heading to the US. Trump’s actions effectively called time on AGOA, ahead of its expiry in September, while placing at risk Lesotho’s textile industry, threatening 35,000 jobs and upending a sector which contributes around 15% of GDP. Adding insult to injury, Trump-branded Greg Norman golf shirts are made in Lesotho, alongside other American brands, including Levi’s, Wrangler, Gap, Calvin Klein and Walmart. 

🇲🇱 🇧🇫 🇳🇪 Diplomatic fracas

The member states of the Alliance of Sahel (AES) – comprising Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger – have all recalled their ambassadors to Algeria amid a diplomatic crisis following the destruction of a Malian drone. Algeria’s defence ministry announced it had shot down an armed surveillance drone for violating its airspace near its southern border and banned flights to and from Mali due to recurrent airspace violations. In response, Mali closed its airspace to all Algerian aircraft and accused Algeria of “sponsoring international terrorism”, claiming the shooting had thwarted the “neutralisation of a terrorist group planning acts against the AES”. The bloc characterised the incident as an act of aggression against the entire confederation and is now embroiled in a diplomatic conflict with Algeria. In response, Algiers has recalled its ambassadors to Niger and Mali and postponed the deployment of its new ambassador to Burkina Faso.

🇨🇩 Currying favour

A mooted US-Congo minerals-for-security agreement appears closer to fruition, after Massad Boulos, President Trump’s new Senior Adviser for Africa, revealed that he and President Félix Tshisekedi had agreed on a "path for its development". Kinshasa was the first stop on Boulos’ inaugural trip to the continent, following his appointment on 2 April. The transactional approach to diplomacy, a hallmark of the Trump administration’s foreign policy, was evident as progress on the deal coincided with Congolese authorities commuting death sentences to life imprisonment for American citizens involved in the 2024 coup plot led by Christian Malanga, and authorising their repatriation to the US. Congolese authorities reportedly agreed to compensate the US for damage caused by protests targeting the American embassy in Kinshasa in late January.

🇸🇸 Going South

The US announced the revocation of all visas held by South Sudanese citizens, citing Juba’s refusal to accept the return of a deportee. The individual, identified as Makula Kintu, was initially denied entry into South Sudan after presenting fraudulent travel documents. South Sudan’s foreign ministry later clarified that Kintu was not a South Sudanese national but rather a citizen of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite the mix-up, South Sudan reversed its decision, admitting Kintu “in the spirit of friendly relations.” This visa revocation comes amidst a fragile peace process in South Sudan, with President Salva Kiir facing mounting internal political crises, including the detention of Vice President Riek Machar and escalating violence involving ethnic militias. The crisis in South Sudan, ignited by clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces and the White Army militia in March, is rooted in power struggles over control of the country's oil resources. The slow pace of key peace agreements, such as military integration and political reforms, has heightened tensions between President Kiir’s and Machar’s factions, threatening the fragile peace process. Fears of a renewed civil war are mounting while regional actors like Kenya and Uganda offer to mediate.

🏉 Kenya Sevens

The Kenya Sevens Team finished as runners-up in the World Rugby Sevens Series, following a 21-12 defeat to Fiji at the final in Singapore. The match was Kenya’s first final since 2021, and served as a highlight in what has otherwise been a challenging season for the team, known as Shujaa. The Singapore final, the sixth and last leg of the regular season in the revamped Sevens series format, confirmed that Shujaa finished just outside the top eight teams safe from relegation. The Kenyans must now participate in a playoff series in Los Angeles on 3-4 May to retain their place in the league. Shujaa will be among the four bottom teams facing off against the top four teams from the World Challenger Series, with only four teams earning promotion or retaining their core team status. 

🗓️ Gitex Africa 

Gitex Africa, the largest tech and startup show on the continent, takes place from 14-16 April in Marrakech, Morocco. The event convenes 1,400 exhibiting companies, 650 government entities and over 45,000 visitors to explore ways to catalyse Africa’s digital future. Africa Practice Advisor Amaka Onyemenam will be in attendance alongside Senior Consultant Bashira Hassan. Both welcome the opportunity to connect with fellow attendees. Get in touch.

🔑 Data roles at Africa Practice

Africa Practice is hiring for two exciting roles: Lead Advisor, Data & Technology, and Senior Consultant, Data-led investigations & OSINT for Change. Hurry, as both vacancies will be closed as soon as suitable candidates are identified. 

📚 The Dream Hotel – Laila Lalami

The sixth offering from Moroccan-American writer Laila Lalami, The Dream Hotel is set in a chilling near-future dystopia, where big tech surveillance has expanded to the landscape of dreams. Held in detention after an algorithm determines protagonist Sara is at risk of harming her husband, the novel questions how much of ourselves must remain private if we are to remain free – and whether even the most invasive forms of surveillance can truly capture who we really are.

🎹Sabali – Amadou & Mariam

Today's pick pays homage to Amadou Bagayoko, one half of the legendary duo Amadou & Mariam. "Sabali", the opening track from their 2008 release Welcome to Mali, is a masterpiece produced by none other than Damon Albarn of Gorillaz fame. Serving as an inspiration across generations, this track’s influence extends far beyond its original release. Sampled by the likes of Nas and Damian Marley, "Sabali" embodies themes of patience, resilience, and the complexities of love. The rich textures of Amadou’s soulful vocals, paired with Mariam’s powerful harmonies, create an emotional depth that transcends language barriers, speaking directly to the heart.

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