Charlette N'Guessan

"Discussions about AI advancements in Africa often highlight the misconceptions held by the rest of the world. First, Africa has always been positioned as merely a passive consumer of technologies developed elsewhere: They build, ship here, and we're expected to use them."

"...many AI-driven solutions introduced in Africa fail to address local needs, are riddled with biases, and inadvertently create a form of foreign technological dominance in African markets."

"...it is entirely false to assume that innovation cannot thrive on the continent. The narrative must shift from waiting for external solutions to actively building and scaling local innovations."

"Decision-makers who shape global AI strategies rarely engage with the realities on the ground. It is not just being quoted as an African, If you haven’t been ground-building AI-driven models in Africa, you can’t be loud and make decisions on our behalf."

"Africa plays a vital role in the global AI landscape. Our experience navigating complex social, economic, and cultural contexts equips us to develop nuanced, adaptable governance frameworks, and models that could inspire other regions facing similar challenges."

"If you want to build AI-driven solutions for African markets, don't focus on trends, build with purpose. Africa doesn't need fancy AI products; we need effective, impactful solutions. Also, keep in mind that for every problem, there are multiple ways to solve it. AI is just one tool in the toolbox, and sometimes, it may not be the best one. So be open-minded."

"To young African women aspiring to break into AI and tech, believe in your potential and skills. Stay open to collaboration, and don't shy away from driving innovation. Own your story and actively shape it. Your ideas, your voice, and your innovations are crucial to the future of technology in Africa. Don't miss the opportunity to contribute to the Africa AI narrative."

"It's time for us as young African engineers to start working on solutions to solve our local challenges."

"It’s time for us as young African engineers to start working on solutions to solve our local challenges.” — Charlette N’Guessan on driving innovation tailored to Africa’s needs."