Artificial Intelligence and Global Power Shifts: What Africa Must Learn

 


When most people hear about Artificial Intelligence (AI), they often think of chatbots, robots, or automated customer service. But beyond the hype, AI is rapidly becoming a tool of global power, reshaping how countries compete, how wars are fought, and even how citizens access opportunities. Just like oil once determined which countries rose or fell in the global order, AI is quietly becoming the new driver of influence in the 21st century.

It was one afternoon in one of my international relations (IR) classes. I asked my students to imagine a world where wars were not fought with soldiers and tanks but with computer codes, drones, and algorithms. The room fell silent, then a hand shot up: “Sir, isn’t that already happening?”

That question opened a lively debate. From cyberattacks that shut down national grids to artificial intelligence shaping global trade negotiations, the students quickly realized that technology is no longer a backdrop; it is at the heart of international relations. What happens in Silicon Valley, Shenzhen, or even Lagos today can ripple through global politics tomorrow.

How AI is Changing International Relations and Rewriting Global Power

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not just a technology; it is a geopolitical weapon. For example, during the 2016 U.S. elections, AI-driven algorithms on social media were utilized to disseminate disinformation on an unprecedented scale (Bradshaw & Howard, 2019). Similarly, the war in Ukraine has shown how AI-powered drones and satellite analysis are redefining modern battlefields (Tsvetkova, 2023).

Meanwhile, the U.S. and China are locked in a fierce competition over AI dominance. Washington controls high-end semiconductor supply chains, while Beijing invests heavily in AI-driven surveillance and digital infrastructure across the Global South. The European Union, on the other hand, is positioning itself as a leader in AI ethics and regulation. Clearly, whoever controls AI sets the rules of global politics. In addition, it is rewriting global power on several fronts, which include but are not limited to the following:

a. Cybersecurity and state sovereignty
In today’s world, hacking a country’s financial system or leaking confidential government emails can be as damaging as traditional warfare. For instance, the 2016 U.S. elections highlighted how cyber interference could undermine democratic processes (Rid, 2020).
b. AI and the balance of power
Artificial intelligence is not just about self-driving cars or chatbots. Governments are investing billions in AI to outpace rivals in defense, surveillance, and predictive policy modeling. China’s “AI 2030” strategy and the U.S.’s AI initiatives are clear examples of how superpowers are utilizing technology as a new form of competition.
c. Digital economy and development
The rise of fintech in Africa, such as Nigeria’s Flutterwave and Paystack, shows how technology is creating new economic frontiers. But it also raises questions like, who sets the rules for digital trade? How can smaller economies avoid digital dependency?
d. Social media and diplomacy
Gone are the days when diplomacy was confined to embassies. Today, Twitter diplomacy (“Twiplomacy”) allows presidents to announce foreign policy in 280 characters. While it democratizes access to information, it also spreads misinformation at lightning speed, reshaping narratives of global crises.

Where is Africa in this power play?



Unfortunately, Africa risks becoming a passive consumer rather than an active shaper of AI. While China builds smart cities and digital infrastructures across Africa, most countries on the continent lack the policies, research centers, or investments to innovate in AI themselves. This creates a new form of dependency, where Africa relies on foreign technologies while losing control over its data and digital sovereignty.

Take Nigeria, for instance. Lagos is home to Africa’s biggest fintech ecosystem, with companies like Flutterwave and Paystack revolutionizing payments. Yet, when it comes to AI research and development, most breakthroughs are imported. Without investment in local capacity, Nigeria risks being “digitally colonized” in the AI era. Besides, we need more hubs in addition to Lagos, Jos, Kaduna, Abuja, and Yola, among others, which are all potential hubs in this regard. 

Why Ordinary Africans Should Care

Some might ask: What does AI have to do with me struggling to pay rent or find a stable job to put food on my table? The answer is simple: AI is already shaping everyday life.

(a) Jobs: AI-driven automation is threatening clerical, transport, and customer service jobs. A recent study estimates that up to 40% of African jobs could be automated in the next two decades (World Bank, 2023).
(b) Migration: AI systems now decide who gets visas, scholarships, or loans. A biased algorithm could mean a talented African is denied opportunities abroad.
(c) Security: From cybercrime to digital surveillance, AI tools affect how secure people feel both online and offline.
(d) Information: Fake news and manipulated content, powered by AI, can fuel political instability, something already visible in many fragile democracies.

The Opportunity Side



But Africa is not powerless. In fact, the continent has unique opportunities if leaders act strategically.

(i) Youth power: Africa has the world’s youngest population. With the right digital training, they could drive an AI revolution.
(ii) Innovation hubs: Lagos, Nairobi, and Cape Town are already recognized tech hubs. With targeted investment, they can become AI hubs.
(iii) Digital diplomacy: African states can negotiate collectively for fairer rules in global AI governance, just as they did with climate negotiations.

Countries like Rwanda are already experimenting with AI in health and education, while South Africa is investing in AI policy frameworks. Nigeria too recently launched its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, a step in the right direction, but execution remains the real challenge. We need action; the time for talk is over.

What must Africa learn?

The lesson from history is clear: Africa cannot afford to be a latecomer again. When the Industrial Revolution happened, Africa was colonized. When the digital revolution took off, Africa was left behind. With AI, the same risk looms—unless urgent steps are taken.

African leaders must:

(i) Invest in AI research and education: create centers of excellence in universities.

(ii) Build data protection laws so that Africa’s data is not freely exploited by foreign firms.

(iii) Encourage local innovation: fund startups building African AI solutions for agriculture, health, and education.

(iv) Engage globally: Africa must not be absent when rules of AI governance are being written at the UN and WTO.

Conclusion

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not just about smarter phones or faster services. It is about who controls the future. For Africa, the stakes are high: either become a player in the AI race or remain a digital colony in a world where data and algorithms define power. The choice is urgent. The question is whether Africa’s leaders and its people are ready to act.

SB Adams writes from Gombe.

References

Rid, T. (2020). Active Measures: The Secret History of Disinformation and Political Warfare. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Nye, J. S. (2011). The Future of Power. PublicAffairs.

United Nations. (2021). Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development. UN Policy  Brief.

Chukwuma, A. (2023). “Fintech and Digital Transformation in Africa.” African Development Review,  35(2), 211–229.


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