AI could lift Sub-Saharan Africa economy 4% if power, internet improve, IMF says

Artificial intelligence could boost Sub-Saharan Africa’s economy by about 4% over the next decade with better electricity supply, internet access and digital skills, an International Monetary Fund paper showed on Tuesday, but without such reforms the growth dividend could be negligible.

As countries ‌and companies race ⁠to secure ⁠AI’s economic benefits, investment in data centres, energy infrastructure and digital networks is surging worldwide.

But Sub-Saharan Africa, which ranks lowest on the IMF’s ​AI Preparedness Index, risks capturing only a fraction of the potential gains if infrastructure bottlenecks remain unaddressed, the paper found.