Mastercard has published a new whitepaper, Harnessing the Transformative Power of AI in Africa, projecting that digital jobs across the continent could reach 230 million by 2030 through responsible, inclusive adoption of artificial intelligence.
The pan-African report explores Africa’s readiness and roadmap for AI deployment in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, energy, and finance. It stresses that AI, when developed with local context and integrity, could transform industries and accelerate job creation.
Mark Elliott, Division President for Africa at Mastercard, said Africa’s AI engagement is already evident “in farms, clinics, and classrooms,” but unlocking its full potential will require investment in infrastructure, data, talent, and policy.
Highlighting Africa’s youthful demographics, mobile-first infrastructure, and entrepreneurial drive, the report positions the continent as a major player in the AI future. It also forecasts the regional AI market to expand from $4.5 billion in 2025 to $16.5 billion by 2030.
Chief AI and Data Officer at Mastercard, Greg Ulrich, added, “AI is only as powerful as the trust behind it. At Mastercard, we’re committed to building AI that’s responsible, inclusive, and built to bring value to our customers, partners, and employees. This isn’t just innovation; it’s innovation with integrity.”
The report spotlights regional initiatives showcasing Africa’s AI potential. In South Africa, which secured $610 million in AI-focused venture capital in 2023, national targets include developing 300 AI startups and training 5,000 AI professionals by 2030. Kenya’s National AI Strategy (2025–2030) prioritises research and innovation, backing platforms such as Tala, which leverages mobile data for credit scoring, and Jacaranda Health’s AI-powered chatbot, UlizaLlama, which provides maternal health guidance in five local languages.
Nigeria, Africa’s second-ranked country for AI startups, attracted $218 million in venture capital funding in 2023. The nation is applying AI in personalised learning via Rising Academies, microfinance through Kudi.ai, and governance with tools that track public fund allocation. Its AI market is projected to grow to $1.4 billion by 2025.
Morocco is positioning itself as a North African AI hub, advancing projects in healthcare, energy, agriculture, and finance. Under its Digital 2030 strategy, the country aims to attract $1.1 billion in AI investment and generate 240,000 digital jobs by 2030.
While the outlook is promising, the whitepaper cautions that challenges such as data fragmentation, language exclusion, and uneven regulatory frameworks could deepen the digital divide if left unaddressed.
It calls for coordinated action among governments, fintechs, and global partners to ensure AI’s transformative potential is harnessed responsibly, driving inclusive growth across Africa.
