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This education will include lessons on different types of AI, how machine learning can be used to solve problems, and the technology’s limitations. These lessons will be tailored to “students aged with a focus on those from underserved communities,” according to the Foundation spokesperson. “Investing in infrastructure like Equiano and Umoja are going to help bring down these costs and enable businesses to hopefully tap into this digital highway that enables them to be more efficient,” he told CNN. Jake Bright is a writer, author and advisor with a focus on global business, politics, and technology.

By harnessing AI, these startups are empowering farmers with data-driven decision-making tools, increasing productivity, and reducing waste. This has significant implications for food security and sustainable agriculture practices in the region. Geekulcha urges the industry to not only hire geeks but invest more in capacity building in order to achieve the greatest level of skills for the current and emerging markets and technological shifts. In conclusion, the fintech AI wave in Africa is revolutionizing the banking sector, shaping a more inclusive and efficient financial ecosystem. By embracing AI technologies, African countries can overcome longstanding barriers in traditional banking and bring financial services to a broader population.

Africa’s newest fintech unicorns are winning by keeping their feet on the ground

The emergence of AI startups in Africa has the potential to drive economic growth and job creation. As these tech pioneers develop innovative AI solutions, they attract investments, create job opportunities, and contribute to the growth of local economies. Moreover, AI technology has the potential to enhance traditional industries and create new ones, fostering entrepreneurship and innovation across the continent. In recent years, the fintech revolution has had a significant impact on traditional banking. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in the fintech sector has been particularly transformative, paving the way for innovative solutions that are making banking more accessible, efficient, and inclusive. The rise is also being driven by the efforts of individuals and organisations that are working to promote diversity and inclusion in the tech and geek communities.

Leveraging my experience, I aim to help organisations build robust data protection and privacy programmes while shaping critical conversations at the board level. By doing so, we can ensure that Africa not only aligns with global standards but also defines its path in building a digital ecosystem that empowers, protects, and uplifts every African. Fintech is arguably the most successful category of startups at the moment, accounting for eight out of nine startups valued at over $1 billion in the region.

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Bright’s first book, The Next Africa (Macmillan 2015), forecast the rise of Africa’s venture backed startup scene. Prior to this he worked in international finance and as a speechwriter in Washington, DC. Notable tech names Netflix, eBay, Uber and IBM expanded on the continent last year.

Without good health, education andincome-generation suffer which iswhy we work with rural health facilitiesto support their vital work. In Geeks in Africa all of this, perhaps the most compelling part of the hybrid model is what it reinforces for African fintech, as TymeBank and Moniepoint aren’t the first fintechs to deploy the model on their way to unicorn status. Meanwhile, its sister company, GoTyme — a joint venture between parent company Tyme Group and local conglomerate Gokongwei Group, launched in 2022 — adopts the same strategy and has nearly 500 kiosks and 1,500 bank ambassadors in the Philippines.

Microsoft Africa’s chief technology and solutions officer, Ravi Bhat, joined Connecting Africa for a video interview at Africa Tech Festival 2024 to talk about the growth of generative AI (GenAI) in Africa and the trends that are impacting enterprises. “Technology companies have exploited minimal data protection legislation and local competition to set up widespread software communication solutions for the African market to collect user data,” the authors write. The rate of change in the world of tech presents the African continent with an exciting opportunity to define a digital narrative that will help shape its future.

Conversely, the “geeks” saw the many ways USAID enables the private sector to co-invest in emerging market entrepreneurs and ecosystems. Their innovative solutions are attracting global attention and investment, positioning Africa as a hub for technological advancement. From developing AI-powered diagnostic tools for healthcare to creating mobile apps that connect farmers to markets, African geeks are demonstrating the transformative power of technology. The rise of the African geek is deeply intertwined with the continent’s rapid technological adoption.

Progress in technologies enabled by the internet, like AI, is advancing rapidly in developed nations, and according to the UN, the gap between the countries with the most advanced tech and those with the least is actually widening. The African geek movement is still in its early stages, but its potential is undeniable. As the continent continues to embrace technology and invest in its youth, we can expect to see even greater innovation and disruption in the years to come. The world is watching, and African geeks are ready to show what they are capable of achieving.

This article is an installment of Future Explored, a weekly guide to world-changing technology. You can get stories like this one straight to your inbox every Saturday morning by subscribing above. For the first time, the Top 15 Young Geeks programme will seek to ignite the capable competences of Geeks at a continental level and help shape a digital future leadership for Africa.

The first set of billion-dollar African fintechs, including Interswitch and Flutterwave, provided infrastructure and payment solutions for local and global merchants across the continent. Agriculture is a crucial sector in Africa, and AI is playing a crucial role in transforming the industry. Startups are employing AI-powered tools to optimize crop yields, monitor soil conditions, detect diseases in plants, and provide farmers with real-time insights.

Safeguarding personal information and preventing misuse or unauthorized access to data should be key priorities in any smart city project. AI-powered surveillance systems can contribute to safer cities by detecting and alerting authorities to potential threats or criminal activities in real-time. Video analytics, facial recognition, and predictive policing algorithms can assist law enforcement agencies in identifying and preventing crime, ultimately making cities more secure for residents and visitors. Boards are the custodians of organisational strategy, and in today’s digital world, they must lead the charge on digital trust.