Tanzania takes centre stage in Africa’s AI awakening
AS Artificial Intelligence (AI) shapes global economic trends, African leaders are working to ensure its development aligns with local needs and values.
At the recent Future Ready Summit in Dar es Salaam, discussions centred on placing ethics, human development and digital sovereignty at the heart of AI progress.
The highlight of the third day was a keynote by Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer at Google X and author of Scary Smart.
His presentation, Rewriting Tomorrow: AI for Good, Growth & Global Change, urged a practical and responsible approach to AI. “We need the world to fully understand the possibilities of AI, before it is too late,” said Mr Gawdat.
“This is a pivotal moment for Africa. Responsible AI is not just about technology—it’s about building systems that serve people, protect rights and support sustainable development.”
The summit was co-hosted by Vodacom Tanzania, the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), bringing together tech experts, policymakers and youth to explore AI’s role in economic inclusion and resilience.
Vodacom showcased AI applications in service delivery. Its mobile money platform, M-Pesa, processes over 135 billion US dollars annually and uses AI-based analytics to extend credit and financial tools to underserved communities.
Through its M-Kulima programme, AI supports over three million smallholder farmers in pest control and soil quality assessment, boosting productivity.
In 2024, Vodacom invested over 156bn/- in digital infrastructure to enhance connectivity in rural and remote areas.
“AI is not a one-size-fitsall solution. It becomes useful when adapted to local challenges,” said Vodacom Tanzania Managing Director Phillip Besiimire: “With targeted investment and a focus on practical applications, we are supporting a more inclusive digital economy in Tanzania.”
COSTECH underscored the importance of national strategies in technology governance, promoting local data hosting and domestic tech skills to align AI with Tanzania’s priorities.
Summit host Georgie Ndirangu, a Kenyan journalist, said, the summit was not just a dialogue; it was a step toward practical collaboration.
“With the involvement of experts and institutions like Vodacom and COSTECH, Tanzania is laying the groundwork for responsible AI development,” Mr Ndirangu said.
The summit ended with a shared commitment to ensure AI supports inclusive growth and reflects community needs. Public-private cooperation signals that Tanzania is taking deliberate steps to harness technology for long-term social and economic goals.
