230M Digital Jobs by 2030?

Mastercard has released a comprehensive whitepaper titled ‘Harnessing the Transformative Power of AI in Africa’, revealing that digital jobs on the continent could surge to 230 million by 2030, driven largely by responsible and inclusive adoption of artificial intelligence.

The pan-African study examines Africa’s readiness, opportunities, and roadmap for AI deployment across key industries, including agriculture, healthcare, education, energy, and finance. It highlights how AI, if developed with local context and integrity, has the potential to revolutionise economic sectors and accelerate job creation.

Division President, Africa, Mastercard, Mark Elliott, said in a statement, “Africa’s engagement with AI is already reshaping lives not just in labs, but in farms, clinics and classrooms. To unlock its full potential, we need investment in infrastructure, data, talent, and policy. At Mastercard, we believe responsible, locally rooted AI can drive inclusive growth and connect more people to opportunity.”

The whitepaper underlines Africa’s unique demographics, mobile-first infrastructure, and entrepreneurial spirit as critical factors positioning the continent as a key architect of the AI-driven future. According to recent data cited in the report, Africa’s AI market is projected to grow from $4.5bn in 2025 to $16.5bn by 2030.

Chief AI and Data Officer at Mastercard, Greg Ulrich, added, “AI is only as powerful as the trust behind it. At Mastercard, we’re committed to building AI that’s responsible, inclusive, and built to bring value to our customers, partners, and employees. This isn’t just innovation; it’s innovation with integrity.”

The report details regional developments underscoring the continent’s AI potential. In South Africa, which attracted $610m in AI-focused venture capital in 2023, national plans aim to develop 300 AI startups and train 5,000 AI professionals by 2030. Kenya’s National AI Strategy (2025–2030) fosters research and innovation, supporting platforms like Tala, which uses mobile data for credit scoring, and Jacaranda Health’s AI chatbot UlizaLlama, which offers maternal health assistance in five local languages.

Nigeria, ranked second in Africa for AI startups, secured $218m in venture capital investment in 2023 and is leveraging AI for personalised learning through Rising Academies, microfinance with Kudi.ai, and governance with AI tools monitoring public fund allocation. The country’s AI market is forecasted to reach $1.4bn by 2025.

Meanwhile, Morocco is emerging as a North African AI hub with initiatives in healthcare, energy, agriculture, and finance. The country’s Digital 2030 strategy aims to attract $1.1bn in AI investment and create 240,000 digital jobs by 2030.

Despite the optimistic outlook, the whitepaper warns of challenges, including data fragmentation, language exclusion, and inconsistent regulatory frameworks that could widen the digital divide if not addressed.

Mastercard’s whitepaper stresses the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration involving governments, fintechs, and global partners to responsibly harness AI’s transformative power and drive inclusive growth across Africa.

The research draws on insights from leading African technologists, policymakers, academics, and entrepreneurs, featuring contributions from UNESCO, the African Centre for Economic Transformation, and fintech leaders across the region.

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