Technology, finance and infrastructure stakeholders have warned that Africa risks being locked into a limited role in the global artificial intelligence economy if it fails to build ownership across key areas such as data, talent, computing infrastructure and financing.
The concern was raised during a high-level panel session titled ‘The AI Scramble: Who Owns Africa’s Data, Talent and Digital Future?’ held at the Africa Soft Power Summit 2026 over the weekend.
Discussions at the summit focused on how the continent can avoid repeating past patterns where it supplied raw inputs to global systems without capturing enough value from them.
Participants included senior figures from Google Africa, iXAfrica Data Centres, Amini and Standard Chartered Bank Kenya, among others, who examined Africa’s readiness for the AI era.
Speaking on the panel, Alex Okosi cautioned that Africa must not remain a passive consumer of artificial intelligence technologies developed elsewhere.
“If we miss this AI era in Africa, then I think that we are doomed.
“It is critical that Africa not only consumes AI, but participates in its underlying architecture. Unless AI recognises African languages, speech patterns and dialects, the technology will not be positioned to solve African problems,” he said.
He also warned that global technological power tends to concentrate quickly, adding that Africa risks missing out on the economic benefits if it is not involved at the foundational level.
“There is also a risk that power consolidates rapidly. If African operators are not present at the foundational level, the economic value of AI will be captured elsewhere,” he added.
Another speaker, Kate Kallot, drew parallels between Africa’s historic role in commodity supply chains and its emerging position in the AI data ecosystem, warning that the continent could again end up providing inputs without owning the systems.
“What has long been described as raw material from Africa is now being mirrored in how the continent’s data is treated. The continent risks supplying the inputs without owning the system,” she said.
She stressed that Africa must strengthen its capacity in data governance, infrastructure and skills development to ensure it benefits meaningfully from AI growth.
On infrastructure, Snehar Shah noted that Africa still lags behind in global digital capacity but said opportunities exist in areas such as renewable energy and connectivity projects.
He said Africa could advance by strategically adopting global technologies while simultaneously building local infrastructure that ensures data sovereignty and long-term value creation.
The panel also highlighted the challenge of financing AI development, with Birju Sanghrajka noting that investors require clearer business models and risk structures before committing large-scale capital to the sector.
He explained that while traditional infrastructure projects are easier for banks to assess, AI-driven ventures still lack predictable revenue frameworks that would attract sustained investment.
The discussions formed part of broader sessions at the summit, which emphasised the need for Africa to align finance, creativity and human capital to drive sustainable digital growth.