Sub-Saharan Africa may be behind in its preparedness for Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption, but it is not alone, and with more room for improvement.
Amid the global conversation on AI, Dr. Jannie Zaaiman, the Secretary General of Technology Information Confederation Africa, TICON Africa, reveals that the lag in preparedness for AI is not peculiar to just Sub-Saharan Africa.
In an article titled “Africa AI Regulation Is Moving Fast – Where Is Africa’s Collective Voice?”, she maintained that Africa, as a whole, has a lot of lessons to learn if it wants to reap the benefits of the technology.
What the IMF AI Preparedness Index Shows
The AI Preparedness Index was developed by the International Monetary Fund. The index measures how ready countries are to adopt and benefit from AI, based on factors such as Digital infrastructure. Human capital and skills, Innovation capacity, and Regulatory frameworks.
The index ranges from 0 to 1. The higher the score, the higher the index.
According to the latest data, Advanced economies score 0.68, Emerging markets score 0.46, Low-income countries score 0.32, and Sub-Saharan Africa scores 0.34.
Although Africa’s score may appear low, deeper insight is more nuanced, as much of the world is still in the early or middle stages of AI readiness.
Not an African Problem – A Global Gap
Dr. Zaaiman argues that the numbers tell a different story from the popular narrative. Sub-Saharan Africa’s score of 0.34 places it slightly above the average for low-income countries and not dramatically far from emerging markets.
This suggests that the global AI divide is less about geography and more about levels of development. In other words, Africa is not “left out”; however, it is part of a broader global cohort still building the foundations for AI adoption.
“The challenge, then, should be described with care. Africa does face real readiness constraints, but so does much of the world outside the most advanced economies,” she maintained.
Policy Is Moving Faster Than Capacity
The other concern, however, is not just about scores; it is about what lies beneath them. She cites that the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, in its 2025 report, highlights a growing mismatch.
AI technology is advancing faster than countries’ ability to govern and implement it effectively. Across many regions, including Africa, there is a rush to announce AI policies and strategies. But turning those policies into real-world impact remains a major challenge.
She added, “AI is advancing faster than governance capacity in many parts of the world and that infrastructure, skills and institutional investment will determine who can translate policy ambition into meaningful capability.”
The Real Test: From Ambition to Execution
For Dr. Zaaiman, policy declarations are no longer enough. What will determine success in the AI era is not who speaks the loudest, but who can:
Build skilled talent pools
Invest in digital infrastructure
Develop strong institutions
Translate policy into practical systems
Without these, even the most ambitious AI strategies risk remaining on paper.
“The implication is clear: announcing policy is no longer enough. Influence will come from those who can operationalise governance through talent, systems, and implementation capacity,” she noted.
Why This Matters for Africa
For businesses, governments, and young innovators across Africa, this insight is critical.
AI is not just a technology trend; it is changing the face of industries, jobs, education, and governance. The ability to adopt and adapt AI tools will increasingly define economic competitiveness.
However, readiness is not just about catching up with advanced economies. It is about building systems that work within local realities such as reliable internet, skilled workers, and functional institutions.
