{
  "id": 10704760,
  "title": "Africa: Who Is Missing From Africa's AI Future?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/africa-who-is-missing-from-africas-ai-future",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-29T13:49:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "AllAfrica",
    "slug": "allafrica",
    "url": "https://allafrica.com/stories/202609290416.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Africa is on the brink of a new technological era, but there are concerns about who will be included in this AI future. At UNGA81, African leaders discussed what it will take for the continent to realize the promise of AI. Rwandan Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva highlighted the importance of government investment in digital public infrastructure, while Sierra Leone's Chief Minister David Moinina Sengeh questioned whether Africa will allow its data to be extracted in the 21st century. Both points emphasize the need for AI to strengthen institutions, reflect African realities, and create value for its people. However, the current state of birth registration in Africa is a cause for concern. Nearly half of children under five in sub-Saharan Africa do not have their births registered, and by 2050, Africa is expected to account for one-third of global births. This presents a global equity gap, as governments need to know how many people they serve and how to reach them. Without this knowledge, it is difficult to evaluate impact and hold institutions accountable. Birth registration creates the foundation for people to participate in a digital society, as it allows governments to accurately understand their populations and provide necessary services. Many countries are addressing this issue in different ways, with Kenya's Maisha Namba and Rwanda's investment in civil registration and digital identification systems being notable examples. As more public services become digital, ensuring that these systems do not inadvertently exclude people who lack documentation, connectivity, or digital literacy is crucial. AI readiness varies across African countries, and its success depends on more than just access to AI itself. Inclusion in the AI age begins with whether a child is counted at birth, recognized by the state, and has access to health care, education, and economic opportunities. This challenges us to consider whether investments in AI should primarily focus on birth and death registration, trusted identity systems, interoperable public infrastructure, data governance, and skilled public-sector workforces. The ultimate goal of AI in Africa should be radical inclusion, ensuring that African institutions can shape AI solutions, reflect African realities in the data that powers them, and ensure that benefits reach traditionally marginalized communities.",
  "summary": "[allAfrica] What if every baby born in Africa started life with an all-access key to the 21st century? Not a smartphone or an AI assistant, but something much more - fundamental recognition that says you are here, you are known, and you belong.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}