Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how people work, and across Africa the debate has often hinged on fear — from call-centre workers worrying about chatbots to Kenyan data labelers earning less than $2 an hour training global AI models. But new research from Brookings and SAP suggests the continent’s future may look very different from the warnings.
The studies estimate AI could add up to $1.5 trillion to Africa’s economy by 2030 and create 230 million digital jobs. The opportunity is large, but so is the challenge: around 650 million people will need digital skills training to join this new workforce.
A Young Workforce Meets a New Technology Wave
Africa will have half of the world’s working-age population by 2063. That young labour force has long been described as the continent’s biggest advantage — but only if new industries can absorb millions of people entering the job market each year.
AI is expected to play a central role. Brookings says smarter farming tools, automated manufacturing and digital services could double Africa’s GDP growth by 2035. Evidence of that shift is already visible: farmers in South Africa are using AI to predict rainfall and increase yields, while logistics companies in Kenya rely on predictive systems to cut breakdowns and delays.
But the same momentum exposes a critical weakness. SAP’s study of Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa found that nine in ten businesses face shortages of workers with even basic AI or digital skills. Without rapid training, experts warn Africa’s youth boom could widen inequality rather than stimulate growth.
Where Jobs Are Being Lost
Some sectors are already feeling the impact of automation.
Call centres and data-entry roles, a major source of entry-level work in countries like Kenya, Ghana and South Africa, are shrinking as companies adopt AI-powered support systems.
In agriculture, which employs about 70% of Africa’s workforce, the spread of automated irrigation, drone surveillance and AI-driven crop tools is reducing reliance on manual labour.
Mining firms in Zambia and South Africa now use predictive software and smart machines to reduce risks underground. These systems improve efficiency but replace parts of the low-skilled workforce with smaller, more specialised teams. These changes feed public fears — but researchers say they are only one side of the story.
A New Tech Economy Is Emerging
Alongside job losses, a rapidly growing AI industry is creating new kinds of work. Africa now has more than 2,400 AI and AI-related companies, according to SAP. South Africa leads with 726, followed by Nigeria (456) and Kenya (204). These firms are hiring data scientists, machine-learning engineers, AI trainers and product developers.
There is also a surge in “AI-adjacent” jobs. Content moderation, data labeling and transcription work already employ thousands of young Africans through global digital platforms. Brookings says these roles are giving first-time workers practical entry points into the digital economy.
To keep pace, nearly two-thirds of companies surveyed across Africa have already launched AI training programmes, a sign of how quickly the labour market is shifting.
A Widening Skills Divide
Despite the growth, the skills gap remains the greatest obstacle. Brookings reports that 86% of African women lack basic digital or AI skills, and 60% have never received digital training.
In rural regions, device access can be as low as 16%, making it even harder for young people to join digital industries.
Universities across the continent have introduced more AI-related courses, but employers say many graduates still lack practical, industry-ready skills. SAP’s Vuyiswa Pillay warns that organisations are “rushing to attract, retain and nurture AI talent” but the supply is nowhere near enough.
How Governments Are Responding
Several governments are already turning to AI to strengthen public services.
– Togo used an AI system to identify vulnerable households and send mobile money to 57,000 families during the pandemic.
– In Zambia, the iVerify platform uses AI tools to detect and reduce online misinformation during elections.
– At a continental level, the African Union is moving forward with a strategy focused on ethical AI, local innovation and stronger data governance. But major gaps remain.
Only 0.02% of online content is written in African languages, meaning most AI systems are trained on data that does not reflect African contexts. Brookings also estimates the continent needs $68–100 billion in annual digital infrastructure investment for AI to work at scale — from stable electricity to secure data centres.
What the Future Looks Like
Researchers say the workers who benefit first will be those in urban areas with strong digital skills, especially in finance, technology and creative sectors. Those most at risk include rural farmers, call-centre workers and women in clerical jobs.
But AI could also help solve some of Africa’s biggest challenges. Brookings says AI tools support 93% of environmental targets, including better climate predictions and improved water management, and 82% of social goals, from maternal health monitoring to education analytics.
The data points to a clear conclusion: AI itself is not the immediate threat. The real danger is failing to prepare.
With the right investment in skills, infrastructure and regulation, experts say Africa’s young population could become a major force in the global AI economy. As Brookings puts it, the continent has “a once-in-a-generation opportunity” , but only if action starts now.