That is a very big one: “Microsoft, the global tech giant, has projected that Artificial Intelligence (AI) could inject a staggering $1.2 trillion into Africa’s economy by the year 2030. This projection is part of a broader estimate of $15.7 trillion as the potential contribution of AI to the global economy by the same year.”

Huhh. In 2023, the estimated GDP of Africa was $3.1 trillion, and $8.86 trillion at PPP. In 2022, Nigeria had the highest GDP in Africa at $477.4 billion, followed by South Africa at $405.7 billion, Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco. In 2022, the GDP per capita in Africa was $2,150.60, the highest value since 2015.

Simply, AI could add close to 40% more on Africa’s GDP in mere 6 years. If that should be the case, every local government, state, etc should develop an AI-centric developmental playbook.

But I doubt that, considering that AI needs electricity, broadband internet, and other things you cannot leapfrog, to work, and deliver productive value.

Microsoft Forecasts $1.2 Trillion AI Boost for Africa’s Economy by 2030

Microsoft, the global tech giant, has projected that Artificial Intelligence (AI) could inject a staggering $1.2 trillion into Africa’s economy by the year 2030. This projection is part of a broader estimate of $15.7 trillion as the potential contribution of AI to the global economy by the same year.

Theo Watson, a Commercial Lawyer with Microsoft Africa, presented these figures during his session titled “AI Opportunity in Africa” at the African AI Journalists Academy held virtually. Watson stated that the $1.2 trillion infusion could propel Africa’s GDP by 5.6% by 2030.

However, Watson noted the need for responsible regulation to harness the full potential of AI while mitigating risks. He advocated for regulations that prioritize ethical considerations and ensure AI advancements align with societal values and norms across the diverse African continent.

“Responsible and sustainable innovation will ensure that AI progress aligns with the needs that define Africa’s vastly diverse cultures… Collaborating with relevant stakeholders will be key to ensuring that AI solutions are not just technologically advanced but also culturally attuned and genuinely beneficial to African societies,” he stated.

Microsoft’s commitment to responsible AI development was highlighted, with Watson outlining the company’s AI principles focusing on fairness, reliability, safety, privacy, inclusivity, transparency, and accountability since 2016.

Echoing these sentiments, Akua Gyekye, Government Affairs Director at Microsoft Africa, highlighted the transformative impact of technology on various sectors, including health, education, and agriculture. Gyekye cited examples from South Africa and Nigeria where AI applications were enhancing water management and agricultural productivity, respectively.

“Farmers in Nigeria and Kenya are getting customized advice on farming based on AI, advice on soil and weather data.

“This helps them to make evidence- driven decisions and increase yields using technology to do the research and help find the right use of AI to boost productivity of their workforce,” she said.

Gyekye proposed a blueprint for governing AI in Africa, advocating for transparency, academic and public access to AI, and safety mechanisms for critical infrastructure. She also stressed the importance of public-private partnerships to address societal challenges associated with AI deployment effectively.

Microsoft’s projections offer a glimpse into the potential economic and societal benefits awaiting Africa, provided that responsible governance and collaboration frameworks are in place as the continent prepares to embrace the AI revolution.

Since the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, the market for Artificial Intelligence (AI) has witnessed exponential growth. According to industry reports, the AI market has expanded significantly, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 35% since the introduction of advanced AI models like ChatGPT. This growth can be attributed to the increasing adoption of AI technologies across various industries, including healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and retail, among others.

Microsoft’s projections putting the value of the AI market to a staggering $15.7 trillion globally by 2030, underscores the transformative potential of AI in reshaping economies and societies across the globe. With Africa expected to capture a significant portion of this growth, the continent stands a chance to leverage AI-powered solutions to address pressing challenges and unlock new development opportunities.

A few years ago, I posited that by 2031, Nigeria could begin to privatize its federal universities, in the same way it privatized its energy infrastructures. I hope that does not happen since the only thing the ordinary citizens get from Nigeria is subsidized university education. If you remove that, inequality will scale and inter-generational poverty will become a constant. I was a three-time University Scholar while in FUTO, and the generosity of Nigeria on my education remains appreciated

Good People, the global university education has many structural challenges. In the UK, it is assuming a new dimension: “The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kent, Karen Cox who has occupied the position since 2017, will step down from her role next month, following a significant restructuring effort amidst a potential £30 million deficit. The deficits are as a result of dwindling student recruitment compared to expanding Russell Group institutions and elevated dropout rates due to rising living costs.”

In the UK, besides the immigration changes, the BREXIT was an own-goal. But do not take out the impact of inflation. In other words, if the citizens are fighting for food, going to school may not be an immediate priority. As a great comment on this piece noted, “there is also a 40% drop in the number of part-time entrants, which make up a big part of the total student population of 2.8M.” In other words, in the UK, continuous education is stalled and people cannot easily pay for part-time education. That is scary for a top-10 global economy!

In the Igbo Nation, it is always a great honour when you call your kinsmen and they gather to listen to you. The UK was a center of gravity in Europe, but it did not see it as an honour. It went to dismantle what made UK amazing, via BREXIT, etc. Today, even its universities are paying the prices as inflation rises and poverty scales in the land.  After BREXIT, I wrote that it was a huge irony that the “Great Britain which used to annihilate kingdoms and colonized them” would like to be left alone, peacefully! Unfortunately, that would weaken the UK because it did not know the power of its strength. 

Back to Nigeria, the nucleus of my postulation is the evidence that Nigeria is largely fading across most developmental indicators. Yes, people who graduated in the 2000s had better job opportunities than those who finished in the decade of 2010s. And those in the 2010s are better than those in the 2020s. And the current 2020s will be better than those coming in the 2030s.

Indeed, there is nothing happening in Nigeria today that will show that those graduating in the 2030s will have better opportunities. If that trajectory continues, the university system will be under massive stress. Simply, if 40% of UK part-time students can drop out of the UK educational system, because of high inflation and challenging living standards, you can extrapolate what will happen for all the many federal universities in Nigeria.

Dangote Refinery Delivers Products and UK Universities Are in Enrollment Crisis

A few years ago, I posited that by 2031, Nigeria could begin to privatize its federal universities, in the same way it privatized its energy infrastructures. I hope that does not happen since the only thing the ordinary citizens get from Nigeria is subsidized university… pic.twitter.com/LSH5Raelsc

— Ndubuisi Ekekwe (@ndekekwe) April 5, 2024