Africa: Africa Needs Its Own AI Solutions, Not Borrowed Ones, Says Expert

What the report says

UN News, in an interview published through AllAfrica, reported on 25 September 2026 that African countries should build artificial intelligence tools around their own needs rather than importing systems designed for other regions. The comments came from Girmaw Abebe Tadesse, an expert member of the UN-backed Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence and head of Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab in Kenya, speaking in Nairobi as global leaders and AI executives met at UN Headquarters in New York during High-Level Week.

Tadesse argued that the first step is to identify the most pressing local problems before choosing the right technology, infrastructure and data. He said AI in Africa should be tied to everyday challenges in sectors such as education, health, agriculture, business and public services, and should reflect the realities of African communities.

The interview also highlighted the need for cooperation among governments, universities, development partners, creative communities and tech firms. Tadesse said shared knowledge can help create solutions suited to African conditions, especially where resources are limited. He also pointed to Africa’s young population as a major opportunity for innovation, while warning that countries should work together more quickly instead of duplicating efforts.

The report suggests that Africa’s AI future will depend on setting common priorities and investing in development-oriented systems. More broadly, it reflects a wider international debate over how to make AI safer and more useful in lower-resource settings, while ensuring that technology serves local public needs.