Kenya is not alone. At least 16 African countries have launched national AI strategies, including Egypt, Ghana, Rwanda, Mauritius, Nigeria and Zambia.
The African Union Continental AI Strategy aims to promote an Africa-centric, development-focused approach, emphasising ethical practices, capacity building, investment and regional cooperation.
These efforts reflect growing recognition of AI’s potential. With the AU’s Continental AI Strategy endorsed in 2024 providing a unifying vision, the continent can harness AI for inclusive growth aligned with Agenda 2063.
Estimates suggest AI could add billions of dollars to Africa’s economy by 2030 through productivity gains in key sectors. Local innovations such as AI for crop disease detection in agriculture or predictive analytics in healthcare, are emerging.
Contrast this with China’s trajectory. In 2017, China released its New Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan, aiming to become the world leader by 2030.
Through massive state investment, public-private partnerships and integration into national planning, China has made extraordinary strides; becoming one of the most successful state-driven AI transformations in history. AI is now embedded in governance, smart cities, manufacturing and public services.
Systems in cities like Hangzhou use AI for traffic optimisation, resource allocation and emergency response, reducing congestion and improving efficiency. AI-powered chatbots and digital civil servants handle administrative queries. Surveillance and predictive policing maintain social stability.
Economically, China’s approach leverages vast data resources, focused R&D and rapid iteration. Breakthroughs like DeepSeek models demonstrate cost-effective innovation, challenging assumptions about the necessity of massive compute.
Open-source elements and affordability clearly have global appeal. Internationally, China promotes AI as a global public good via initiatives like the Global AI Governance Initiative and capacity-building with the Global South, while advancing standards and infrastructure through Belt and Road digital extensions.
Three pillars are key to China’s success: strategic state direction combined with market dynamism, long-term planning, heavy investment in talent and infrastructure and a pragmatic balance of innovation with control. This has elevated its technological standing and geopolitical influence.
Africa can draw several targeted lessons from China. First, prioritise infrastructure and data as foundations. Kenya and the AU rightly emphasise digital infrastructure and data governance. China shows the power of scale, investing in data centres, connectivity and green energy.
African countries should pool resources regionally for shared compute facilities and sovereign clouds. Data strategies must ensure local ownership, addressing the continent’s rich but fragmented datasets in diverse languages.
Partnerships with China for affordable hardware and models could accelerate this, provided strong data localisation and privacy safeguards are in place.
Second, build talent and foster homegrown innovation. China’s emphasis on AI education from schools to vocational training, created a skilled workforce. Africa’s youthful population is an asset; integrating AI literacy into curricula, as Kenya plans, and expanding vocational programmes is essential. Support innovation hubs and public-private R&D to solve local problems rather than importing generic solutions.
Third, integrate AI into governance and public services strategically. China demonstrates AI’s role in efficient service delivery and urban management.
African governments could pilot AI for revenue collection, service personalisation, disaster response and agricultural extension services. Start with low-risk applications that build trust and generate data. Public sector leadership, as China advocates, creates demand and refines systems.
Fourth, develop balanced governance and ethics. The AU and Kenya stress ethics, inclusion and human rights. China offers lessons in agile regulation but warns against over-regulation that stifles innovation.
Africa should adopt tiered, risk-based approaches with regulatory sandboxes, while prioritising bias mitigation and transparency suited to diverse societies.
Fifth, pursue pragmatic international partnerships. China’s South-South cooperation provides infrastructure and affordable tech without heavy ideological strings, complementing Western investments in research and capital. Hedging between partners maximises benefits. Engage in global standard-setting to amplify African voices.
Implementation requires political will, sustained funding and multi-stakeholder coordination. Challenges like energy access and digital divides must be addressed concurrently.
By learning from China, the continent can avoid being a passive consumer of technology. Instead, it can become a co-creator of AI solutions that reflect its realities and aspirations.
The writer is a scholar of international relations with a focus on China-Africa development cooperation. X: Cavinceworld.
