In a landmark session on Africa’s artificial intelligence trajectory, industry leaders gathered to reflect on the continent’s progress and the road ahead. Central to the conversation were Strive Masiyiwa, Founder and Executive Chairman of Econet Group (Cassava Technologies & Econet Wireless), and Dr. James Manika, Senior Vice President at Google. Their discussion revisited a 2023 conversation on Africa’s role in the AI revolution, evaluating achievements, emerging opportunities, and the critical infrastructure needed for transformative growth.
As the session began, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation. “You get to see Strive and I reprise something we did two years ago,” Dr. Manika noted. “At the time, we emphasized two things: Africa needs significant investment to realize its AI potential, and Africans must not only be users but innovators in this space.”
Strive Masiyiwa is a telecommunications and technology entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist whose influence spans four continents. Founder and Executive Chairman of Econet Group, which includes Cassava Technologies and Econet Wireless, Masiyiwa has founded and invested in ventures across Africa, Europe, India, Latin America, the Middle East, New Zealand, and the USA. His notable enterprises include Mascom Wireless Botswana, Econet Wireless Nigeria (now Airtel Nigeria), Liquid Intelligent Technologies Group, Econet Wireless New Zealand (now 2degrees Mobile), and Africa Data Centres, among others.
Born in Zimbabwe in 1961, Masiyiwa returned after Independence in 1984, working briefly as a telecoms engineer before establishing his first business in 1986. He now manages a global portfolio from Jersey, spanning more than 40 countries. His achievements have been recognized worldwide, including the World Food Prize Borlaug Medallion (2019), induction into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2023), the W.E.B. Du Bois Medal (2024), and inclusion in Time Magazine’s 2025 list of the 100 Most Influential People in AI.
Through the Higherlife Foundation and Delta Philanthropies, Masiyiwa has supported over 350,000 scholarships for African youth and invests in initiatives addressing education, health, women and children, youth mentorship, rural transformation, and sustainable livelihoods. Committed Christians, he and his wife, Tsitsi, have six adult children and are signatories of the Giving Pledge.
Returning to the discussion, Masiyiwa emphasized the rapid pace of global AI innovation. “The past two years have been extraordinary. Innovation is accelerating faster than almost any other industry in history,” he noted. In Africa, significant strides have been made. Entrepreneurs are leveraging AI for small businesses, students are gaining free access to advanced tools, and frontier AI research is underway in Ghana and Kenya in areas such as language processing and weather forecasting.
Masiyiwa highlighted practical applications transforming lives. “Farmers can take a photo of a maize leaf with a smartphone to detect pests or moisture deficiencies instantly. Guided learning tools allow students to learn in their mother tongue, empowering remote communities.”
He also outlined the work that remains: improving local datasets, expanding AI infrastructure, supporting local languages, and enabling equitable access for entrepreneurs, farmers, and policymakers. Masiyiwa urged African leaders to understand AI deeply, encouraging adoption, skills development, and solutions that address the continent’s challenges while creating global opportunities.
Looking forward, Masiyiwa sees Africa’s AI future as vibrant and transformative. “Ten years from now, the wealthiest Africans may be young AI entrepreneurs innovating in agriculture, health, and food security. They are unstoppable, and our role is to inspire and enable them.” He called for investment in infrastructure, capital, and education, citing China’s mandatory AI education from age six as a model Africa could emulate.
Concluding the session, Masiyiwa reaffirmed his commitment to Africa’s technological advancement. “In two years, I hope to see AI transforming productivity across the continent, empowering businesses, governments, and citizens, and giving rise to African unicorns. Africans must lead in building, innovating, and solving critical challenges.”
The session closed with resounding applause, leaving attendees inspired by the vision of a digitally empowered and AI-driven Africa.
