UN Urges Africa to Adopt AI for Economic Transformation

Africa has consistently posted strong growth but failed to achieve structural economic transformation, as expansion has relied on labor and capital accumulation rather than productivity gains. A new UN Economic Commission for Africa report argues that AI, machine learning, and advanced data analytics could close this gap, with early gains already visible in smart agriculture, digital finance, renewable energy, and e-government services. The report calls on African governments to build shared data infrastructure, invest in energy systems, reform education to prioritize STEM, and strengthen legal and regulatory frameworks. It also urges regional cooperation to reduce high data costs, expand private sector participation through tax incentives and loan guarantees, and reform global financing structures to limit dependence on costly external borrowing.