Google’s James Manyika Highlights AI’s Potential for Transforming Africa’s Future
James Manyika, Google’s Senior Vice President for Research, Labs, Technology & Society, has outlined key areas where Artificial Intelligence (AI) could significantly benefit Africa during his speech at the Global AI Summit on Africa 2025 in Kigali, Rwanda. Manyika emphasized that the rapid advancements in AI present an extraordinary opportunity for the continent, but harnessing its full potential requires collective effort across Africa.
He identified four critical areas where AI could drive transformation: Individual Assistance, Sector Transformation, Scientific Progress, and Addressing Societal Challenges. Manyika noted how tools like Google Translate have already expanded to include almost 250 languages, including many African languages, showcasing AI’s ability to connect people, provide access to information, and unlock new opportunities. He pointed to AI’s growing role in sectors like healthcare, education, agriculture, and government services, where it can enhance efficiency, support economic growth, and improve quality of life across the continent.
In terms of economic potential, Manyika cited a GSMA estimate predicting that AI could add up to $2.9 trillion to Africa’s economy by 2030, leveraging the continent’s young and growing workforce. AI’s transformative power extends to scientific advancements as well, exemplified by Google’s AlphaFold, an AI system that predicts protein structures critical for medical research and drug development. Over 25,000 African researchers are already using this tool, underscoring the continent’s growing involvement in global scientific progress.
For Africa to fully capitalize on these AI opportunities, Manyika stressed the importance of investing in foundational infrastructure, talent development, and expanding AI research capacity. He also called for greater cross-continent and global partnerships to accelerate progress. Governments and policymakers, he added, must play a crucial role in enabling these actions to create a vibrant AI ecosystem that supports sustainable growth and innovation across Africa.
Source: this day