Africa’s successful integration into the global AI revolution must begin with smartphones, connectivity, and genuine inclusion rather than algorithms alone, Ayman Essam, Chief Officer for External Affairs at Vodacom Group has said.
Essam delivered this message while participating in the prestigious United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU) AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva. The summit is widely regarded as one of the most important global platforms for shaping AI governance and policy.
Essam highlighted two critical insights that should guide Africa’s AI strategy going forward.
First, he emphasised that AI infrastructure starts with people, connectivity, and devices. While innovation is not the continent’s primary challenge, millions of Africans still lack access to affordable smartphones and reliable connectivity — fundamental prerequisites for participating in the digital and AI-driven economy.
“Smartphone affordability and device replacement remain significant barriers to inclusion,” Essam noted. He stressed that global AI conversations often overlook these foundational issues. For Africa to fully benefit from AI, mobile network operators require the right investment incentives and supportive regulatory frameworks to expand the infrastructure that will power the AI era.
Second, Essam called for trust in AI to reflect Africa’s diverse realities. He pointed out that many AI models struggle to recognise the continent’s hundreds of languages and rich cultural contexts, turning technological advancement into a new form of exclusion.
“AI cannot truly serve everyone if African voices, experiences, and priorities are not represented in its development and governance,” he said. Building trusted AI systems, according to Essam, demands inclusive frameworks that are grounded in the actual needs and contexts of African communities.
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Drawing from Vodacom’s operations across its markets, Essam showcased how the company is already deploying AI-enabled solutions in education, healthcare, and financial inclusion. These initiatives, he said, demonstrate the potential for meaningful impact when driven by responsible governance and sustainable innovation.
However, he cautioned that progress depends on three essential pillars: robust infrastructure, strategic partnerships, and intentional action.
The Vodacom executive concluded that the central question for the continent has shifted. It is no longer whether Africa will participate in the AI revolution, but how the continent can actively shape, lead, and benefit from it.
