African governments must treat artificial intelligence (AI) as a strategic pillar of inclusive growth or risk being left behind in the global digital economy, an information analyst has warned.

Speaking to The PUNCH, Nathaniel Akande said AI was already transforming industries across Africa, from agriculture and health to fintech and education, adding that policymakers must urgently create innovation-friendly environments.

He noted that e-commerce platforms were using AI to optimise search results and detect fake reviews, edtech start-ups were deploying adaptive tutors for underserved pupils, and health innovators were turning to AI-powered tools to spot early signs of diseases such as breast cancer and diabetes. Farmers, he added, were relying on AI-driven weather models to guide planting, while digital banks were using the technology to improve loan scoring and prevent fraud.

“These are not theoretical projections, but realities unfolding in our time,” Akande said. “The challenge lies in scaling these innovations sustainably and ethically.”

Akande projected that Africa’s digital economy could top $180bn by 2025, stressing that enterprises embedding AI into operations would be better positioned to compete globally.

He urged governments to design policies that balance innovation with consumer protection, warning that failing to do so could stifle growth.

“AI is now a necessity, not an option,” he said. “Enterprises that integrate AI will not only secure market share but also help shape the continent’s digital architecture.”

Akande, who holds an MBA and MSc in Cybersecurity, is a Certified ISO 27001 Lead Implementer with more than eight years of experience in threat intelligence, governance, risk, and compliance.