Although Africa accounts for 18% of the world's population, the continent represents less than 1% of global data centre capacity. Most African countries continue to rely on US technology companies for computing power, investment capital and technical expertise. Against this backdrop, governments across the continent are accelerating domestic technological development to strengthen data sovereignty and secure more favourable terms from foreign technology providers.
African governments are increasingly pursuing "segmented" data frameworks, under which data processing may take place abroad while sensitive data remain stored within national borders. Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya and South Africa have all released draft AI policies identifying the risks associated with dependence on major US technology companies such as Google, Microsoft, Nvidia and Meta. While Africa's drive for digital sovereignty does not seek complete independence from global AI supply chains, the continent aims to exercise greater control over sensitive data and ensure stronger accountability from foreign AI providers.
Cassava Technologies, founded by Zimbabwean entrepreneur Strive Masiyiwa, launched Africa's first AI factory in South Africa in partnership with Nvidia in March this year. Meanwhile, East African data centre provider iXAfrica is collaborating with Oracle to establish Kenya's first public cloud computing region. Several African open-source AI initiatives have also received funding from Meta and operate on Google Cloud infrastructure.
In a move to strengthen Africa's sovereign digital capabilities and long-term resilience, the African Union Commission (AUC) and US technology company Google have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance artificial intelligence and digital transformation across the continent.
The partnership is being implemented in line with the African Union Continental AI Strategy and the Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa 2020–2030, focusing on AI and cloud infrastructure development, workforce training, research and innovation, support for start-up ecosystems, and the establishment of responsible AI governance frameworks.
However, Africa's ambitions to develop science, technology, and innovation to enhance self-reliance still face many obstacles, from disparities in technological capacity among countries to the mobilisation of sustainable funding for regional initiatives. At the same time, digital transformation and the rapid adoption of AI underscore the need for more comprehensive legal and regulatory frameworks, particularly in response to growing concerns over deepfakes, identity fraud and online scams.
Transforming science and technology into a cornerstone of development sovereignty in the 21st century remains a strategic objective, but also a formidable challenge for the African continent.
