Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has issued a clarion call to African civil service leaders, state-owned enterprises, and sector stakeholders to spearhead the revolution in Artificial Intelligence (AI) tailored to Africa’s unique needs.
Addressing delegates at the opening of the 2nd Africa Management Development Institutes Network (AMDIN) conference yesterday in the capital, Ngurare emphasized the pressing need for Africa to develop AI solutions that directly address its distinct challenges—a goal yet to be fully realized.
“It is time for Africa to stop relying on the West as trendsetters and industry leaders in technological advancement,” Ngurare declared.
He affirmed that Africa possesses the necessary skills to lead in technological innovation but must cultivate a stronger drive for progress and innovation. He emphasize the need to develop the ‘hunger ‘for such innovation.
“This is not rocket science. We cannot continue to be mere consumers. If we wait for those producing these technologies and expect to benefit from them in our own contexts, we will wait a long time,” the Prime Minister warned.
He urged support for homegrown ideas and innovations, cautioning against dismissing them simply because they do not originate from tech hubs like Silicon Valley.
“If someone from Ghana, Namibia, or Eswatini presents an AI idea, let us not shun it. Instead, let us explore how such ideas can be refined for the benefit of all,” he said.
Ngurare also called for the creation of local AI terminology to effectively respond to pressing needs of Africa, as opposed to importing default settings from the original creators of such tools.
“What is AI in your own language? How come we do not have such names? What is Bluetooth? What is WiFi?”
On the use of AI tools, Ngurare advised prudence, emphasizing that technology should enhance economic development—not replace human intelligence.
“The best intelligence is human intelligence, not AI. These tools must complement and enhance your work, not replace you,” he added.
Highlighting Africa’s demographic advantage, Ngurare noted the continent’s population of 1.5 billion, with 70 percent youth. He said it is therefore imperative that innovation forms the backbone of Africa’s economic advancement to cater for the youth.
“We should not take this responsibility lightly. We risk destroying the future of these young people if we fail to make the right choices,” he warned.
To achieve economic independence and technological progress, Ngurare underscored the importance of negotiating Africa’s resource rights assertively.
“We must not be beggars when negotiating our own resources. Once we are clear on what we want and work towards achieving it, we will reduce risky migration to Europe in search of greener pastures,” he said.
He expressed deep concern over the plight of children crossing the Sahel in search of better opportunities, stating, “We have the resources to make Africa better; all we need is the will.”
The AMDIN conference serves as a key platform for knowledge sharing and policy influence, enabling countries to contribute to continental discussions on public sector transformation and economic development.
It promotes transformative leadership and institutional excellence aligned with Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The conference ends tomorrow.