African governments could save up to USD 150 billion annually lost to inefficiencies in public service delivery by adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a strategic enabler for governance and economic transformation, according to Mr. Harun Katusya, a senior consulting expert and lead organiser of the forthcoming Africa Premier AI Conference (APAIC2025).
“African governments serve 1.4 billion people using largely inefficient and outdated systems. Citizens are often forced to wait days for basic services, while over 40% cannot access them at all. AI offers a historic opportunity to reverse this trend,” said Mr Katusya, speaking ahead of APAIC2025.
The conference scheduled for 25–28 August, 2025, at Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort, Mombasa will bring together policymakers, technologists, business leaders, and development partners under the theme “Africa First: Harnessing AI for Public Good, Wealth Creation, and Youth Empowerment.”
Governments that have already adopted AI are demonstrating remarkable gains in efficiency and citizen satisfaction, he said. For instance, AI-powered chatbots are now able to resolve up to 80% of citizen queries instantly, predictive analytics have helped cut service waiting times by over 60%, while workflow automation is eliminating up to 70% of bureaucratic delays.
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Mr. Katusya cited Rwanda’s AI-enabled e-government services, where over 4 million citizens now access more than 100 digital public services from their homes, reducing service turnaround time by over 90%. Similarly, Kenya’s digital government has onboarded over 300 services onto the e-Citizen online platform, with a multilingual AI chatbot cutting down walk-in traffic by 60%.
“Proactive African governments including Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and South Africa are now using AI not just to digitise services, but to rethink how government works for the people,” said Mr Katusya.
The adoption of AI extends beyond service delivery into the core of governance to include real-time sentiment analysis now informs responsive policymaking, where AI enables inclusive governance through real-time citizen engagement, multilingual access, and data-driven public participation. Also, smart budget allocation tools optimize spending as impact simulation models allow leaders to test policy outcomes before implementation.
“AI offers unique opportunities for evidence-based governance. It enables more inclusive policies and better fiscal management,” Mr. Katusya noted.
Upskilling Youth Through AI
A key pillar of APAIC2025 is youth empowerment through AI. Delegates will explore how young Africans can harness AI to create scalable startups, enter the competitive global job markets and build Africa-focused AI tools for healthcare, education, agriculture, and creative industries.
“Our youth must be equipped not just to consume AI but to create with it. APAIC2025 will be a launchpad for Africa’s next generation of AI innovators,” said Mr. Katusya.
AI in Agriculture
AI is also transforming agriculture — Africa’s largest employer — by turning mobile phones into powerful farming tools. Satellite-based crop monitoring and SMS-driven soil diagnostics now guide decision-making for smallholder farmers. AI-powered weather forecasts with up to 95% accuracy reduce risks from climate variability and farmers can now access digital credit scoring and fair market prices through AI platforms, increasing productivity and income.
“Africa holds 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, but many farmers remain locked out of productivity. AI is now bridging that gap,” said Mr. Katusya.
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