Kagame on AI: Success Lies in the Problems We Tackle

President Paul Kagame has discussed the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) for Africa, emphasizing that success will depend not only ...

President Paul Kagame has discussed the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) for Africa, emphasizing that success will depend not only on the speed of its implementation but also on the specific challenges we decide to address. These comments were made on Wednesday, November 12, during his speech at the Transform Africa Summit (TAS) in Conakry, the capital of Guinea. Hosted by the Smart Africa Alliance with the theme "AI for Africa: Innovate Locally, Impact Globally," the summit gathers leaders and innovators to explore how AI can boost Africa's economic integration, enhance governance, and drive innovation across the continent. In his address, Kagame reviewed the history of TAS, which was initiated over a decade ago in Kigali when a global digital revolution was taking place. The opportunities ahead were clear: to invest in broadband and use connectivity as a foundation for more competitive development, he said. The commitments made at the start of this journey remain valid. With the support of partners, progress is being made steadily, he added, noting that the main difference now is the need to navigate a more complex and interconnected world where cutting-edge technology is advancing rapidly. Artificial intelligence, the focus of this year's discussions, exemplifies this situation. For Africa, success will not only rely on how quickly we implement this new tool, but also on the problems we choose to apply it to, he emphasized. As Africa continues to adopt AI, Kagame urged the continent to apply it in line with its context and development needs to maximize benefits for human capital. For Rwanda alone, artificial intelligence is expected to contribute 5 percent to GDP, bringing innovation and expertise to sectors such as healthcare, education, and agriculture, he stated. We have also begun developing a national artificial intelligence policy to guide our ambitions, he added. He praised Africa for having numerous young and tech-savvy entrepreneurs eager to add value to key areas of the continent's economy, while calling for action to address the investment gap in digital infrastructure, skills, and regulatory frameworks. Closing these structural gaps requires close collaboration between the public and private sectors. Efficient use of resources is even more important now. I commend Smart Africa for leading the establishment of the Africa Artificial Intelligence Council and structuring the AI Fund, both essential foundations to advance our continent's priorities, he said. He further noted that there is currently much uncertainty surrounding artificial intelligence, particularly regarding the future of work, privacy, and safety. Some of this is unwarranted, while some stems from fear of the unknown. Regardless of the sentiment, this new reality is here to stay, and we must learn to adapt and live with it, he said. This is not the first or last wave of technological progress that Africa and the world will witness. We continue to be reminded that science and technology are powerful engines of creativity and performance that are not here to replace anyone, he added.

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