Rabat – Morocco ranks as the 6th African country in terms of readiness to adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI), according to data from Oxford Insights cited in a recent report from the Policy Center for the New South (PCNS), a Moroccan think tank.
Mauritius led the charge on the continental level, ranking at the 61st place, followed closely by Egypt at the 62nd place, South Africa at the 77th place, Tunisia in the 81st place, and Rwanda at the 84th place. Meanwhile, Morocco landed 88th on the global stage.
Dubbed the Government AI Readiness Index 2023, the index was based on 39 indicators spread across three main pillars: Government, Technology sector, Data and infrastructure, and Private sector.
“Mauritius, Egypt, and South Africa emerge at the top of the ranking, highlighting their commitment to developing ecosystems conducive to technological innovation,” the report reads.
According to the think tank, the six African countries have invested in progressive government policies, thereby promoting the growth of AI-focused startups and companies.
However, disparities persist within the continent, as evidenced by the low ranking of some countries such as Côte d’Ivoire. These disparities reflect the need for a strategic and holistic approach to preparing African countries for AI adoption, the report argues.
While AI adoption in Africa promises to boost economic integration and improve services for the continent’s expanding population, widespread adoption of AI remains hampered by a number of structural inequalities and the digital divide, the report maintains.
In addition to limited access to education, the high costs of internet and broadband access hinder widespread AI adoption and weigh on the continent’s ability to become part of global efforts to advance AI technology. In some African countries, expenditures on internet and broadband access could reach up to 44% of GDP.
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