Cybastion CEO Calls for Stronger Digital Infrastructure to Drive AI Adoption in Africa
He outlined several infrastructure requirements for wider AI adoption across the continent, including sovereign data centres, reliable energy supply, high-speed connectivity, cybersecurity capabilities and a skilled local workforce.
Cybastion CEO Dr. Thierry Wandji has called for stronger digital infrastructure across Africa to support the adoption of artificial intelligence, arguing that AI deployment must be underpinned by reliable infrastructure.
Wandji made the remarks on September 9 during a ministerial roundtable on “Building Digital Infrastructure to Enable AI Adoption in Africa” at the eighth Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation Ministerial Conference in Seoul, South Korea. The conference ran from September 8 to 11.
He outlined several infrastructure requirements for wider AI adoption across the continent, including sovereign data centres, reliable energy supply, high-speed connectivity, cybersecurity capabilities and a skilled local workforce.
Cybastion’s Digital Fast Track platform was highlighted as an ecosystem-based approach that combines digital infrastructure and energy, AI-powered public services, cybersecurity and workforce development. The platform is designed to help African governments strengthen their digital capabilities and improve readiness for AI adoption.
Wandji also pointed to potential applications of AI in public services, including detecting fraud and revenue losses in public finance, monitoring critical infrastructure and forecasting agricultural yields. He also highlighted adaptive learning platforms as a way to expand access to education.
The Cybastion CEO stressed the importance of responsible AI frameworks to protect national data, strengthen government oversight and ensure AI systems account for Africa’s local languages and contexts.
He further encouraged African governments to establish regulatory sandboxes, strengthen data protection frameworks and pursue public-private partnerships to attract investment into the infrastructure required to support AI development and deployment across the continent.
