AI in Africa: Realities and Risks

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Africa faces several interconnected challenges that hinder the continent's ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters effectively. These challenges are rooted in socioeconomic, environmental, political, and institutional factors. The lack of early warning systems (EWS) and data is a critical challenge in disaster risk reduction (DRR) in Africa, as it directly affects the ability to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to disasters. For example, warnings are sometimes issued too late or in a technical or vague format that communities cannot interpret or act upon quickly, while standard protocols for issuing, escalating, and responding to warnings are lacking.  At the same time, many countries in Africa have underdeveloped or outdated weather observation networks , with few weather stations or functioning satellite systems. As a result, real-time monitoring of rainfall, temperature, wind, and other variables is often incomplete...

Africa remains on the frontline of the climate crisis—experiencing accelerating droughts, floods, heatwaves, shifting rainfall patterns, and coastal degradation—despite contributing less than 4% of global emissions. These shocks are reversing development gains and placing immense pressure on food systems, public health, infrastructure, and water security. The consequences are especially severe for climate-sensitive sectors such as water, agriculture, energy, transport and disaster risk management, where vulnerabilities are deepening due to limited adaptive capacity and under-resourced response systems. While locally driven, context-specific adaptation is vital, many African countries lack access to the technological tools and systems required to adapt effectively and at scale. Across the Global South, however, a wide array of cost-effective, proven technologies is emerging—from Earth Observation (EO) systems and open-source climate data platforms to Artificial Intelligence (AI)...

This blog is inspired by the insights I gained from several introductory online Artificial Intelligence (AI) courses, including those offered by the The SME Trade Academy of the International Trade Centre , The German Development Cooperation initiative “ F AI R Forward – Artificial Intelligence for All” and ATINGI , and the International Training Centre (International Labour Organization ). I am also driven by a growing recognition of the crucial role AI is already playing—and will continue to play—in the lives of people around me. This post aims to stir public discussion around AI and lived experiences in Africa, as part of a global citizenry striving to stay in sync with technological progress. How are you using AI in your daily work or community? What challenges or hopes do you see? Share your thoughts and help shape the conversation. AI: A Global Revolution AI stands at the forefront of a global technological revolution. It is poised to redefine how economies function and to trans...

                                                        Source: AI Map @AccessPartnership As we celebrate International Youth Day 2025 under the theme ‘Local Youth Actions for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and beyond’, it is essential to spotlight the unique role of youth in turning global ambitions into community-driven realities. In East Africa, young people are not only shaping their future—they are actively building a region and a world that is more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable. With over 60% of East Africa's population under the age of 25 (UNDP, 2023), youth are not just future stakeholders—they are today’s change agents. But to fully unlock their potential, empowerment must go beyond symbolic participation. It requires access to skills, technology, platforms, and leadership opportunities. The Power...