Africa Cannot Be a ‘Spectator’ in the Global AI Revolution, Warns Tony Elumelu

Tony Elumelu, the influential Nigerian billionaire, philanthropist, and Chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA), has issued a powerful call to action, demanding that Africa be deliberately and fully included in the global digital and artificial intelligence revolution, warning that exclusion risks creating a new form of economic colonization.

Speaking at high-level meetings alongside the World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings in Washington D.C., Elumelu argued forcefully that the continent cannot afford to sit on the sidelines as AI reshapes the global economy.

The Risk of a New Digital Divide
Elumelu, a leading proponent of "Africapitalism"—the philosophy that the African private sector must lead the continent's development—warned that leaving Africa out of the conversations shaping AI governance, ethics, and protocols would amount to severe economic marginalization.

"Africa must be included. The world must be deliberate in including Africa," Elumelu stated, emphasizing that "digital inclusion in the 21st century is economic inclusion."

He cautioned that without intentional inclusion, the digital transformation could deepen inequality rather than bridge it, turning Africa into a passive consumer of technologies developed elsewhere, which fail to understand or address the continent's unique contexts and challenges.

Africapitalism in the Age of AI: Investment, Not Aid
True to his Africapitalism philosophy, Elumelu's call was not for aid, but for strategic investment and partnership. He highlighted the immense, untapped potential within the continent, citing research suggesting over $4 trillion in domestic African capital that could be mobilized.

"If we mobilize our own capital, if we show seriousness—more capital will come in from the rest of the world. Investors follow seriousness," he argued. "We must demonstrate that Africa is ready to lead its own economic destiny."

He urged African governments, global institutions, and the private sector to move beyond talk and focus on execution, specifically targeting three critical pillars:

Fixing the Power Deficit: Elumelu pointedly noted that over 50% of Africans lack access to electricity, calling it "unacceptable" and the single biggest barrier to participating in the AI revolution. "If African governments are genuinely interested... they must fix the electricity challenge," he declared.

Empowering the Youth: Africa's young, digitally-savvy population is its greatest asset. Elumelu stressed the need for massive investment in digital skills training, pointing to the work of his Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), which partners with companies like Google to support young African entrepreneurs. "Our youth are not asking for sympathy. They are asking for systems that work," he said.

Mobilizing Local Capital: He called for reforms to unlock Africa's vast pension funds and sovereign wealth, urging that these funds be channeled into critical infrastructure and technology sectors rather than being locked up in low-yield government securities.

A Challenge and an Opportunity
Elumelu framed Africa's position not as a problem to be solved, but as a massive, untapped opportunity for the world. He argued that the AI revolution cannot be truly global without the inclusion of Africa's 1.4 billion people and its dynamic young workforce.

"If we do not act, we are doomed," he concluded. "But if we get it right, if we power our people, mobilize our capital and harness our talent, Africa will not just rise; Africa will lead."