For the moment, breakthrough technological innovations are popping up every day as AI capabilities are being harnessed, ushering in the first decade of the Fourth Industrial Revolution with pomp and grandeur.

Recognizing the centrality of AI in Africa’s growth and development, South Africa established a Presidential Commission for the Fourth Industrial Revolution; with a view of incorporating AI into its national development strategy.

As President Cyril Ramaphosa launched the commission at a state of the nation address he warned, ‘Unless we adapt, unless we understand the nature of the profound change that is reshaping our world and unless we readily embrace the opportunities it presents, the promise of our nation’s birth will forever remain unfulfilled.’

He may as well have been speaking for the entire continent. The hope that one day Africa will use its natural and other resources to become a dominant global player is very much alive. But hope is not a strategy. And that is why it is well worth for African countries to pursue a common African-driven agenda based on the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Leaving this agenda to the commercial interests of foreign multi-nationals will hardly change continental dynamics on the social, political and economic fronts.

Patrick Awuah a Ghanaian engineer, educator, and entrepreneur said, ‘The current and future leaders of Africa have an incredible opportunity to drive a major renaissance on the continent. I believe that Africa has reached an inflection point with the march of democracy and free-market across the continent. We have reached a moment from which can emerge a great society within one generation and it will depend on inspired leadership.’

Africa must take charge of it’s 4IR agenda. It must determinedly pool together and sing from a common hymn book, for the sake of Africa’s Prosperity.

Author Sheida Mutuku

Chief Executive Officer

Woodside Africa Group LLC