Africa Risks Becoming Mere Raw Data Supplier in AI Economy

The single sharpest fact is that Africa risks remaining a supplier of raw inputs in the global artificial intelligence economy unless it urgently builds ownership across data, talent, compute infrastructure, and financing systems.

This warning was the central focus of a high-level session titled ‘The AI Scramble: Who Owns Africa’s Data, Talent and Digital Future?’ at the Africa Soft Power Summit 2026, held over the weekend. The session featured the Managing Director, Africa, Google, Alex Okosi; Chief Executive Officer of iXAfrica Data Centres, Snehar Shah; the founder and CEO of Amini, Kate Kallot; and the CEO and Head of Coverage, Corporate and Investment Banking, Standard Chartered Bank Kenya, Birju Sanghrajka.

The discussion was moderated by the Founder and CEO of Nairametrics, Ugodre Obi-Chukwu. Speaking during the panel, Okosi said Africa can't afford to approach the AI era merely as a consumer of products developed and controlled outside the continent.

“If we miss this AI era in Africa, then I think that we are doomed.”

He warned that the continent risks repeating patterns seen in the digital media era, where African creators drove global culture while ownership of distribution and monetisation platforms remained largely outside the continent.

In her remark, Kallot argued that Africa faces the danger of reproducing the extractive economic model that historically defined its role in global commodity markets, only this time with data replacing physical raw materials. She identified data, compute infrastructure, and talent as the three foundational pillars Africa must strengthen to secure meaningful participation in the AI economy.

On the infrastructure side, Shah said Africa still accounts for only a small fraction of global digital infrastructure despite its large and youthful population. He cited Kenya's geothermal energy resources and iXAfrica's data centre projects as examples of efforts to build the foundational infrastructure needed for Africa's AI future.

Speaking on financing, Sanghrajka said banks and institutional investors will require clearer commercial models and stronger risk assessment frameworks before they commit large-scale funding to AI ventures. The financing question runs in both directions: banks need to develop greater fluency in evaluating AI businesses, and African AI operators need to present commercial models structured in ways that financiers can credibly assess, price, and support.

Other sessions held during the second conference day included From Remittances to Power: How the African Diaspora is Rewiring Global Influence; Soft Power & Capital: Who Shapes Africa’s Investment Agenda?; and Creators as Economic Power. These discussions collectively reinforced the summit's broader argument that Africa's long-term growth won't depend only on its talent and cultural influence, but also on building systems capable of converting those assets into sustainable economic value.

The Africa Soft Power Summit 2026 was held under the theme, Africa’s Compound Interest: Aligning Ecosystems of Finance, Creativity and Human Capital for Growth. The summit is organised by the Africa Soft Power Group, an umbrella platform comprising The Africa Soft Power Project, ASP Global and African Women on Board, with a mission to amplify African perspectives in global conversations across business, culture, and policy.

The sharp warning by experts on Africa’s risk of becoming a mere raw data supplier in the AI economy serves as a call to action for African leaders to prioritize building ownership across data, talent, and infrastructure. It's crucial for the continent to develop clearer commercial models and stronger risk assessment frameworks to attract large-scale funding for AI ventures. Africa can still position itself competitively in the AI economy with the growing opportunities across renewable energy, technical talent, and submarine cable connectivity. However, this will require sustained investment in infrastructure and education, alongside stronger local systems for data collection, governance, and ownership.

Africa's participation in the AI economy will depend on its ability to build ownership across the key pillars of data, talent, compute infrastructure, and financing systems. The continent must develop a comprehensive strategy to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the AI era. This includes investing in digital infrastructure, developing local talent, and creating clearer commercial models and risk assessment frameworks to attract large-scale funding. By doing so, Africa can secure meaningful participation in the AI economy and create sustainable economic value for its people. African leaders won't be able to achieve this alone; they'll need collaboration and support from various stakeholders, including governments, businesses, and investors. The future of Africa's AI economy looks promising, but it's essential to take immediate action to build the necessary infrastructure and systems to support it.