Opinion: Africa's AI future hinges on youth investment

Your excellencies, Africa stands at a defining moment. With the world’s youngest and fastest-growing population, we have an opportunity to leverage artificial intelligence for economic growth, job creation, and social progress. However, to fully realize this potential, we must address a critical issue: the inclusion and active support of Africa’s youth — particularly young women — in AI development, policy, and investment. My journey and the power of opportunity I am Rose Kimu from Kenya, a Mastercard Foundation scholar at Carnegie Mellon University Africa, or CMU-Africa, currently pursuing a master’s in IT. My journey — from an overcrowded public school where I was one of nearly 100 students sharing a single classroom, to conducting advanced AI research at a prestigious university — has given me a unique insight into both the privilege and systemic barriers facing many young Africans. Many of my peers, despite their intelligence and ambition, lacked access to quality education and economic opportunities. Some were forced into early marriages or informal jobs or had to drop out due to financial constraints. I was fortunate. Despite financial hardships, my parents made sacrifices to keep me in school, and I was able to attend Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, a leading tech institution in Kenya. There, I was introduced to AI and machine learning, which deepened my belief in AI’s potential to transform Africa. In April 2024, I helped build MEDBOT, an AI-powered chatbot for diagnosing respiratory diseases, leveraging explainability techniques such as LIME to help medical practitioners reduce misdiagnosis rates. I also developed a robotic secretary assistant for schools using the NAO robot, with a focus on responsible AI, inclusivity, and data privacy. This project was among the top projects and got support from the Mozilla Foundation and JKUAT to introduce primary school girls to robotics and STEM careers. At CMU-Africa, I have been committed to giving back by organizing initiatives that inspire young people, especially women, to pursue careers in tech and AI. Volunteering has taught me that making an impact doesn’t require perfection — just a willingness to share knowledge. Tech communities provide valuable learning, mentorship, and networking opportunities, particularly for underrepresented groups. Over the past year, our initiatives have impacted over 1,000 people, including the International Women’s Day Kigali 2025 event, organized by Women in Tech in collaboration with Women Tech Makers Kigali and Google Developers Group Kigali, and DevFest 2024, promoting responsible AI. We also introduced AI to 120 primary school students through hands-on projects. These efforts earned the Women in Tech Club at CMU-Africa the 2025 Afretec Inclusion Award, securing funding for future initiatives. Challenges and solutions In my own STEM education, I have seen glaring gender imbalances, with only five women in a class of 30 for example. Across Africa, women face systemic biases in education and employment, making it harder to break into AI, and without their active participation, the technology risks reinforcing these inequalities. The digital divide is another major obstacle. Growing up in Nairobi, I had reliable electricity and internet, but visiting my rural home showed me a different reality. It was just a few years ago that the community got access to electricity, and a broken transformer once left the entire area without power for weeks. This stark contrast made me wonder how children in such areas can compete in the AI revolution when they lack even basic digital access. Additionally, Africa struggles with inadequate AI datasets due to privacy concerns and limited digitization, while high hardware costs and poor computing infrastructure slow innovation. Addressing these issues requires investment in digital infrastructure, inclusive policies to support women in tech, and efforts to develop diverse AI talent and locally relevant datasets. What Africa needs to bridge the gender gap in AI and tech There are six areas that leaders should be integrating into policy and practice across the continent: 1. Mentorship programs to connect young women in tech with experienced professionals who provide guidance, inspiration, and support. My experience improved significantly through platforms such as the Microsoft Kenya's Africa Development Centre’s Women Inspiring and Nurturing Students program and the Global Mentorship Initiative, which helped me develop skills, build a strong resume, and expand my network. Having a support system of women mentors, professors, and peers has been instrumental in overcoming challenges and boosting my confidence. 2. Community outreach to reach those excluded from mainstream media and educate them about opportunities in AI and tech. 3. Educational resources to provide underprivileged schools and communities with access to digital tools and training. 4. Investment in local AI solutions: We need AI solutions from Africa, by Africa, for Africa. Funding African researchers and startups will enable us to develop voice assistants that understand our diverse languages, robots that respect our mannerisms, and context-aware AI that aligns with our social norms. 5. AI governance: We need to take a proactive approach to AI governance to ensure the technology serves the continent's unique needs, aspirations, and diverse cultural, ethical, and societal values, moving beyond simply adopting existing global models. 6. Enabling environment: Governments must create an enabling environment by providing enabling and inclusive policies, infrastructure, AI governance, R&D, skills, and education. “AI is the future, and Africa cannot afford to be left behind.” --— Why Africa’s youth needs AI and why AI needs us AI has the power to develop the potential of young women across the African continent by enhancing efficiency, creating career opportunities, ensuring safety through accurate real-time information, and providing access to education and resources. It breaks barriers, making knowledge and opportunities more accessible for young women engaged in a wide range of activities, be they academic, entrepreneurial, creative or more. At the same time, AI needs African youth — and it needs all of us. Diverse perspectives are essential to ensuring AI is ethical, unbiased, and truly innovative. My voice, creativity, and problem-solving skills help make AI more inclusive, ensuring it serves society equitably. By engaging with AI, I not only benefit from its advancements but also help shape its future, driving meaningful change in a rapidly evolving world. AI is the future, and Africa cannot afford to be left behind. Just as mobile money revolutionized financial access across the continent — breaking barriers and boosting economies — AI has the power to transform industries, uplift communities, and drive inclusive growth. Let us seize this opportunity to build AI that works for Africa, with Africa, and by Africa. Thank you.