Africa risks being left behind in the global AI revolution unless it bridges critical infrastructure and investment gaps, World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has warned.

Speaking at the AI Actions Summit in Paris on Monday, Okonjo-Iweala highlighted AI’s potential to transform economies but cautioned that limited access to electricity and high operational costs could stifle the continent’s ability to compete.

She noted that around 600 million Africans lack electricity, a fundamental barrier to AI adoption.

“I think that, Africa must focus on basic infrastructure. We are not going to make it in AI adoption unless we move faster and that we have to start working with the multi-national organisations. Secondly, Africa must reduce its own internal costs”, she said

The WTO chief outlined urgent steps Africa must take to attract AI investments and remain competitive.

“If we are to make good use of AI, then we need to look at our own bureaucracy confronting investments. We need to look at what will make us investor-friendly so that AI investments will come to us. I am hopeful but we have a lot of work before us.”

The Paris summit is convening global leaders to explore AI’s emerging opportunities and risks while shaping international frameworks for its responsible use.

For Africa, the message is clear – without urgent action, the continent could miss out on the next big wave of technological transformation.