Africa is standing at a critical crossroads as broadband and artificial intelligence (AI) offer an opportunity for economic growth, while presenting significant challenges in recognising this potential.
This is the word from Dr Sunil Piyarlall, executive: network architecture and modelling at Openserve, speaking at the World Broadband Association (WBBA) Broadband Development Congress meeting on the sidelines of Africa Tech Festival in Cape Town.
He believes we need to go beyond simply connecting people to providing high-quality, resilient networks that empower individuals and communities.
“Fibre is shaping the future of connectivity,” Dr Piyarlall says. “Fibre to the room is an example of what is possible with the technology.”
However, the broadband divide is a global reality and is even more pronounced in Africa. There are mllions of unconnected and underserved uses on the continent.
“Bridging the divide requires collaboration, good policies, and shared infrastructure,” Dr Piyarlall says. “Let us be intentional in ensuring the broadband is a catalyst for inclusivity across the continent. It is not just a technology: it is education, healthcare, trade, agriculture, and government services.
“As a continent, we need a shared vision and accountability.”
This ties in to a need for sustainability, he adds, with the industry having a responsibility to protecting the future.
The success of broadband and AI in Africa depends upon a skilled workforce, and Dr Piyarlall urges additional investment in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education, along with entrepreneurial and digital upskilling.
“Every fibre connection is an opportunity to unlock human potential,” he says.
Solly Malatsi, minister of communications and digital technologies, agrees that broadband together with AI presents Africa with a challenge and an opportunity. “If we seize the opportunity, we can redefine our development trajectory.
“For too long, Africa’s story has been one of catchup,” Malatsi adds. “But we have the opportunity to leapfrog now: broadband gives us connectivity at a fraction of the cost; and AI gives us the ability to scale.
“When we combine these, we can skip some of the steps that others have had to make. We can do more with less.”
Examples of how broadband and AI are working include use cases in healthcare, education, and finance across the continent.
“When broadband meets AI, we can exchange distance for access,” Malatsi says. “Broadband drives access, AI converts it to opportunity.”
Africa should focus on a number of fundamentals, he adds
As a continent, focus on fundamentals, starting with universal access, he adds. “Meaningful connectivity is a prerequisite for learning, working, innovating, and growing.
“There are still 2,6-billion people offline; and often connectivity is too costly. In South Africa, there are still 13-million to 14-million people who are unconnected. We need to close that gap.”
With open secure digital public infrastructure, it should be possible to get people online and keep them online, Malatsi says. Affordable connectivity will help to expand the market, creating more entrepreneurs and bringing marginalised communities online.
“It fuels a virtuous circle,” Malatsi points out. “Broadband is the backbone, and AI is the driver.”
But, for AI to work in Africa, all stakeholders need to work together to build a responsible ecosystem.
This will include supporting innovators, respecting culture and creators, and modernising data.
“We must develop the infrastructure to ensure we don’t leave anyone behind,” Malatsi says. “We must leverage Africa’s main strength – its scale. Together, we can create a continental market that is large enough to justify inward investments.”