Renowned Zimbabwean billionaire and businessman Strive Masiyiwa has emphasized the importance of Africa keeping pace with the rapidly evolving artificial intelligence (AI) landscape.
Speaking as the co-chair of the Global Artificial Intelligence Summit on Africa in Rwanda, Masiyiwa stressed that the continent’s failure to prioritize science, mathematics, and coding skills among its youth could lead to it being left behind in the AI age.
Masiyiwa’s concerns are rooted in the understanding that coding is fundamental to interacting with and harnessing the capabilities of AI and technology. Coding, the process of writing computer instructions in programming languages, is crucial for tasks ranging from developing mobile apps and processing data to creating and managing digital platforms.
Without a strong foundation in these skills, Africans risk becoming spectators rather than participants in the global digital economy.
The businessman also highlighted the contrast between the continent’s natural entrepreneurial spirit and the lack of skills among its younger population. “Africa is a continent of hustlers,” Masiyiwa noted, “but a hustler without skills will sleep hungry.”
Masiyiwa’s remarks come against the backdrop of Zimbabwe’s own experiences with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. The country had previously initiated STEM programs under the leadership of Robert Mugabe, aimed at strengthening its educational foundation in these critical areas.
