India, July 30 -- Artificial intelligence (AI) could increase Africa's gross domestic product (GDP) by up to 4 per cent over the next decade, according to a report released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on July 21, 2026.

The report, Unlocking the Potential: AI in Sub-Saharan Africa, argued that while AI presents a significant opportunity to boost productivity, create better jobs and improve public services, the region must first overcome longstanding infrastructure and digital readiness challenges.

The report projected that, under current conditions, AI could increase productivity by only 0.2 per cent over the next decade, resulting in around 0.4 per cent cumulative GDP growth. However, if governments improve infrastructure a...