Empowering Young Africans in the Age of AI

onotinaimoudu
Sep 30
4 min read

Updated: Oct 5

A young African woman stands in a rural setting overlapped with digital graphics

Africa’s Youth: A Global Force in Waiting

Africa stands as the world’s youngest continent, with more than 60% of its population under the age of 25. According to the World Economic Forum, by 2035, Africa will welcome more young people into the workforce each year than any other region on Earth. And by 2080, the population of young people in Africa aged 15–24 is projected to reach half a billion.

This remarkable demographic shift offers a powerful opportunity: African youth have the potential not only to transform their own continent, but also to drive innovation and economic growth worldwide. As their numbers swell, so does their capacity to redefine what is possible — making Africa’s next generation a force the world cannot afford to overlook.

At the same time, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries, jobs, and societies. The critical question is: will young Africans lead this transformation, or will they be left behind?

Africa’s Innovation Edge

Despite challenges, Africa has shown an ability to leapfrog traditional technologies and pioneer world-class solutions:

Mobile money solutions (M-Pesa) redefined financial inclusion and set a global fintech standard.
Health access: Kenya’s MTV Shuga digital platform revolutionized how young people receive life-saving health information.
Drones in Rwanda deliver vaccines and medical supplies to remote regions.
AI in logistics: Companies like Kobo360 and Sendy are cutting costs and optimizing supply chains across Africa.

These innovations are a testament to Africa’s unique approach to problem-solving. Rather than simply adopting technology, the continent has reimagined it to create high-impact solutions. That same innovative spirit, which gave rise to breakthroughs like M-Pesa and transformed financial access for millions, is now positioned to lead the next wave of AI development and implementation.

Why Digital Inclusion Matters

Africa currently has the lowest internet penetration rate globally but also the fastest growth fastest growth in mobile penetration worldwide. In Eastern and Southern Africa, 64% of people now have access to high-speed internet, with coverage expanding rapidly.

The benefits are clear:

“Extreme poverty fell by 7% after communities in Tanzania gained internet access for just three years” — Business Insider Africa, citing World Bank.
Labour force participation and wage employment also rose by up to 8% in connected areas.

Imagine the possibilities if all young Africans had affordable internet and the skills to use it.

Why AI Needs Africa

Just as mobile money transformed financial access across Africa and then globally, AI presents an opportunity for African innovation. Companies like Kobo360 and Sendy are already demonstrating this potential leveraging AI to optimize fleet management, reduce logistics costs, and solve complex supply chain challenges. Their solutions, shaped by a deep understanding of the local environment, offer models for addressing similar challenges worldwide.

Closing Africa's digital divide is not just good for Africa, it is essential for global progress and shaping AI itself.

Ethical AI: African voices reduce bias and make systems more representative.
Economic Growth: “By 2030, an estimated 230 million digital jobs will exist in Sub-Saharan Africa, many linked to AI and other emerging technologies.” — World Bank
Problem-Solving Mindset: Africa’s record of innovation with limited resources offers sustainable models for the world.
Cultural Intelligence: AI trained with Africa’s languages and cultural diversity will be more inclusive globally.

Bridging the Divide: What Must Be Done

To unlock this potential, collaboration is required across four fronts:

Education & Skills – Invest in digital literacy, coding, and AI training.
Infrastructure & Access – Expand affordable internet, devices, and computing capacity.
Policy & Governance – Shape frameworks that promote responsible, inclusive AI.
Mentorship & Collaboration – Connect African youth with global tech professionals.

AI is the future, and the world cannot afford to develop it without Africa's contributions. African youth bring essential voices, ideas, and perspectives to building systems that are ethical, fair, and truly innovative.

Our Commitment

At Hesed World, we are working to close the AI divide by:

Providing mentorship and capacity-building for young changemakers.
Equipping students in underserved communities with digital tools.
Advocating for African voices in global AI development.
Supporting start-ups that bring local solutions to global markets.

As part of this effort, we encourage you to watch our previous webinar, “AI for Africa: Empowering Your Future in the Digital Age" which explores how Africa is pursuing AI and its potential for the continent's younger generation.

Let us seize this moment to build AI that works for everyone with Africans creating unique solutions locally that scale globally. Together, we can close the AI divide and ensure that young Africans not only thrive in the age of AI but define it.

The next billion innovators are in African classrooms today. AI is the future and Africa must help define it. Far from being a passive recipient, Africa is increasingly a dynamic partner and a vibrant source of innovation. In 2022 alone, African tech start-ups raised over $5 billion in investment, demonstrating strong market potential and the continent’s capacity for scalable solutions. Google and the IFC estimates that by 2025, Africa’s internet economy could reach $180 billion, reflecting the continent’s rapid digital growth and entrepreneurial spirit.

Closing Africa’s digital divide is a sound investment in global prosperity. Supporting African tech talent and start-ups fosters sustainable development and opens new markets for international partners. Africa’s rise in the digital era is a partnership opportunity that promises returns not just for the continent, but for the world at large.