AI-Driven Governance: Transforming Public and Addressing Legacy Issues in Post-Colonial Africa

Abstract

This paper examines the transformational potentials that artificial intelligence (AI) may hold to reshape our public policies and methods of administration in the unique post-colonial context of Africa. We thus seek to unearth how AI technologies can be employed at a continental scale in the remedy of legacy issues arising from colonialism including; governance inefficiency, literacy gaps, and inequitable service delivery across the continent. From critically analyzing the application of AI in various public sectors, our research seeks to unveil opportunities for AI in inclusive decision-making processes to improve transparency as well as tailoring public service delivery to the diversified needs of African populations. The paper describes the way forward in the adoption of AI solutions that involve issues on a variety of considerations, infrastructure requirements, financial obstacles, and capacity development, among others.

Highlighting the potential of AI in governance, this research underscores the place of local innovation stakeholder engagement, and international collaboration in assuring that AI plays out as a development lever for both sustainable development and empowerment in post-colonial Africa.